biography

Born in Miami to a scientist father and a warm-hearted German mother, Ben was raised around people of all cultures. Although his father's early academic guidance prepared him for life as a scholar, his natural curiosity and hunger for adventure led Ben to consider more romantic professions. He was formally introduced to black and white photography and the darkroom by professor Robert Friedman in the eleventh grade, and developed an instant fascination with the making of photographs. He went on to pursue photography on a personal level, making prints in his dormitory darkroom/bathroom, while earning a degree in journalism from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. In May of 2003, after completing a photography internship at Wakeboarding Magazine, and graduating from UCF, Ben left the United States to travel through Europe for several months. He came back to Miami, inspired by some of the artists he met abroad, and in March of 2004 accepted a position as the Miami-Dade County Parks Department Photographer. In June of 2005, he transferred to his current job as one of two photographers with the county's Communications Department. There, along with co-worker, friend, and collaborator Ryan Holloway, he founded miamiphotography.org, a non-profit daily photo page, that since its inception in November of 2005, has published two new photos every single day. The two photographers are also solely responisible for the concept, content and production of a monthly online photo gallery that attracts thousands of viewers to the county's website each month. Outside the county, Ben freelances regularly for clients like the Miami Art Museum, the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts, Key Biscayne Magazine and the City of Miami Beach. Ben speaks German and Spanish fluidly, and is a student of French and Portuguese. His photography is a reflection of his curiosity, with subject matter ranging from street people to politicians, high fashion to art show openings, skateboarding to skylines and everything in between.