Insta Fav #96: Benjamin Holtrop

Follow: @benjaminholtrop

Where are you from? How does that place influence the way you photograph?
I grew up within the countryside of the beautiful Pacific Northwest, specifically Washington & Oregon. I am the oldest of five kids and we lived on a farm where we could run wild, build forts, and make messes. I think this is the reason I am drawn to nature and the interaction of people within those natural environments. My childhood experiences of living off the land gave me a deep appreciation for food, resourcefulness, & craft which I feel is reflected within my photographic and styling work.

I am currently in Portland, Oregon and I have found that this city is filled with so many creatives and I am always inspired by their hard work and want for community. I think that Portland’s food & design scene has also given so many opportunities for creative collaboration. Also, Portland is smack dab in the middle of the Pacific Northwest and the landscape & greenery is breathtaking – which then you just want to photograph everything.

What are your favorite environments to shoot in?
Natural ones for sure BUT I think the one thing that I look for is the light. I love environments that let the subject(s) take precedence and I end up using neutral backgrounds. I also LOVE to photograph people among nature and botanicals.

What are the strengths of shooting primarily mobile? How does this affect your imagery?
One of the cool things about shooting mobile is the fact that you have a camera with you most of the time and because of that you are able to document things quickly. I love getting to know people on a personal level and I have found that taking a mobile portrait during or after have spending time with them has made each interaction more meaningful. Mobile photography has definitely made it easier to take those portraits.

Who and what are the things that inspire you?
Who – Historical photographers & artists such as Richard Avedon, Vivian Maier, Dorothea Lange Rembrandt, Matisse, & Joseph Cornell
Current Photographers – Parker Fitzgerald, Sally Mann, Annie Leibovitz, Tim Walker & Patrick Demarchelier

What – light, botanicals, poetry, fine art, interiors, birds, design, & fashion

Favorite instagrammers?
Ah there are tooooo many :) Here are my top 12:
@kessara, @nana_ha, @anotherfeather, @aguynamedpatrick, @kinfolk, @blnx, @mattscorte, @creelanejones, @amandajanejones, @mkmicho, @victorstonem, @local_milk

Which Apps do you use to edit your pictures?
I use VSCO Cam & Snapseed.

Tell us a little about your everyday.
9:00AM – wakeup (ok- I like my sleep and I’m more of a night owl)
9:15AM – check phone & email ( I just have to)
9:30AM – drink something – coffee or tea (not really a breakfast person)
10 AM – respond to emails and go over to do list for the day
11 AM – either take or edit photos
12 PM – meet or have over some friends for lunch (usually that ends up being a creative planning party)
1:00 PM – curate social media outlets (I’m kinda obsessed with pinterest)
1:30 PM – Check emails again (usually have to respond a slew of them)
2:00 – 5:30 PM – HARD CORE WORK TIME. Could be either doing photography, styling work, leading team meetings, go over editorial content & brand development, planning editorials, sourcing creatives or product for upcoming projects.
5:30 PM – Throw together a plan for dinner most likely around the plan that friends or family will come over.
8:30 PM – Check emails again (its never ending)
9:00 PM – curate social media outlets
9:30 PM – catch up some tv shows
10:00 PM – Check emails & do any pressing work or editing (yes again)
11:00 PM – Go over next day’s to do list
11:30 PM – read something (into the Wildwood Series as of late)
12:00 PM – Check email one last time & go to bed

If you’d like to become a future Insta Fav, follow @ignant or post your profile in the comments below. We’ll look into it.