Bill Benoist

What actually makes someone a professional photographer?

Is it getting paid? Having clients? Selling photographs? Being published or having your work displayed in a gallery?

Those definitions seem straightforward until you consider photographers who spend years creating their own work without ever being hired by a client.

A street photographer, fine-art photographer, documentary photographer, or landscape photographer may build a substantial body of work, develop a unique style, and find an audience without following the traditional path of professional photography.

So where does the line between amateur and professional really exist?

In my latest video, I explore that question and share why I think the answer may have less to do with money and more to do with commitment, consistency, and what you do with your photography over time.

I'd love to hear your thoughts after watching.

When would you feel comfortable calling yourself a professional photographer?

https://youtu.be/tZWNTQ-S5N4

5 days ago | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

I've been thinking about how much we, as photographers, care about what other people think of our work.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying a compliment, entering a contest, or feeling good when someone likes one of our photographs. But what happens when recognition becomes something we need?

Likes, awards, followers, exhibitions, and other photographers' opinions can become ways we measure whether we're good enough.

But maybe we should ask a better question: Are we enjoying being photographers?

In my latest video, I explore why we sometimes give other people's opinions too much power over how we feel about our own photography. I also share a question that made me stop and think about why I pick up my camera in the first place.

If you love photography, I think this is a conversation worth having.

Watch the video and let me know: If nobody ever told you that you were a good photographer, would you still take photographs?

https://youtu.be/eBjmNlIRc0Q

1 week ago | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

I was given a simple photography challenge: take an interesting photograph of coffee.

At first, I wondered how much I could really do with something as ordinary as a coffee mug. So, I decided to turn it into a creative experiment using only things I already had at home.

In the new video, I take you behind the scenes as I experiment with lighting, composition, negative space, props, a mirror, and even a little trick involving incense.
What started as one coffee mug eventually became a series of completely different photographs, each with its own mood and story.

More importantly, this project reminded me that interesting photography doesn't always require an exotic subject, expensive equipment, or a professional studio.

Sometimes, the creative challenge is simply seeing an ordinary subject differently.

Watch the video and see what I was able to create from one simple cup of coffee.

https://youtu.be/SB0ollWRgXo

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

I recently decided to try something very different with a camera that most people probably associate with street photography.

The Ricoh GR Digital III is a small, 10-megapixel camera from 2009 with a fixed 28mm equivalent lens. I bought it because it is compact and fun to carry, but I started wondering what would happen if I used it for something much more creative.

That led me to a fountain, about a dozen photographs, and an experiment inspired by photographer Pep Ventosa and his “In the Round” technique.

The result was definitely not what I expected.

What I find most interesting, though, is what this experiment taught me about photography. Sometimes we spend so much time thinking about cameras, lenses, and technical capabilities that we forget to ask a much simpler question:

What else can I do with the camera I already have?

I share the experiment and the final photograph in my latest video. I hope you'll take a look.

https://youtu.be/MvbL3XgGTeU

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

Have you ever looked at another photographer’s work and thought, “They’re really creative,” while wondering why your own photographs don’t feel as creative?

I used to think the same thing. For years, I believed my analytical, logical nature meant I simply wasn’t creative.

But I’ve come to see creativity differently.

In my latest video, I share what changed my perspective and the things that have helped me become more comfortable with my creative side. I talk about Morning Pages, Artist Dates, experimentation, and why creativity doesn’t require every photograph to be unusual or artistic.

Most importantly, I share one simple question that has changed the way I approach photography:

“What else can I see here?”

If you’ve ever thought you weren’t creative enough as a photographer, this video may change how you see both your photography and yourself.

Watch the video and let me know what you think.

https://youtu.be/rdya6EdDo9U

1 month ago | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

Have you ever noticed that photographers and fishermen have more in common than you might think?

In my latest video, I explore two very different approaches to photography that closely mirror the way people fish. One approach is patient—you find the right location, compose your shot, and wait for the perfect moment. The other is active—you keep moving, searching, and reacting to what unfolds around you.

Neither method is better than the other. In fact, knowing when to switch between them may be one of the most valuable skills you can develop as a photographer.

If you've ever wondered why some days feel more productive than others with your camera, this simple comparison might change the way you think about photography.

I'd love to hear which approach best describes your style after you've watched the video.

https://youtu.be/xq3bl46AVOM

1 month ago | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

I recently discovered a feature on my Ricoh GR Digital III that has changed the way I think about photography.

It’s called Snap Focus.

Instead of waiting for autofocus to find my subject, I can set the camera to a specific distance and simply take the picture. I’ve been using 2.5 meters most often, and it has opened up something I rarely do: shooting from the hip.

The interesting part is that I’m no longer thinking, “Where will the camera focus?” I’m thinking, “Where will my subject be?”

That small change has made walking around with this little camera much more spontaneous and fun.

In my latest video, I explain how Snap Focus works, how I’m using Full Press Snap, and why this 2009 camera is giving me a completely different photographic experience than my modern cameras.

If you’re interested in Ricoh cameras, street photography, or simply photographing with less technical thinking, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

Watch the video and let me know: Have you ever tried Snap Focus?

https://youtu.be/TE_mLOnDf98

1 month ago | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

Sometimes the best surprises come from the mistakes we never meant to make.

I recently thought I had found an incredible deal on a Ricoh GR III. After waiting nearly a month for it to arrive, I discovered I had actually purchased a Ricoh GR Digital III—a completely different camera.

At first, I was disappointed. Then something unexpected happened. Instead of focusing on what I didn't get, I began appreciating what I did.

That little camera has become one I carry almost every day, and it's reminded me that photography isn't about having the newest gear. It's about slowing down, noticing the world around us, and finding joy in the moments we might otherwise miss.

In my newest video, I share the whole story and the lesson I learned along the way. I hope you'll watch it, and I'd love to hear if you've ever had a purchase—or even a life experience—that turned out better than you expected.

You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/LJcWkpSGsX4

1 month ago | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

Ever feel jealous scrolling through photos from Iceland or Patagonia while you're shooting flowers in your own backyard? You're not alone, and this week's video tackles that feeling head-on.

A few years ago, I took a Yale course on the science of happiness, and one lesson completely changed how I think about photography: our brains are wired to compare us to people who seem to have more money, more gear, and more opportunities. That comparison is quietly stealing the joy out of your creative work.

In this video, I break down why new gear never makes us happy for long, why chasing exotic locations misses the point of art, and how I've learned to find meaning in the photographs that are available to me, close to home.

If you've ever wondered whether your photography still matters without the dream trip or the expensive lens, this one is for you.

Watch the full video now and let me know in the comments what you're grateful for in your own photography journey.

https://youtu.be/0KwgGcxdGdM

2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Bill Benoist

Ever grab your camera, wander around for an hour, and drive home thinking... that wasn't really worth it? 📷

I used to feel that all the time — until I discovered the one thing that changed everything: having a photo project.

It's not complicated. Just pick one subject or theme — old barns, waterfalls, abandoned places, vintage signs, whatever pulls you in — and commit to photographing it over time. Suddenly you stop wandering aimlessly and start noticing details most people walk right past. That's when your own style really starts to show up.

In this week's video, I share why photo projects are so powerful, the two projects I'm currently working on myself, and how one friend turned years of shooting into a published book.

If you've ever felt stuck on what to photograph, this one's for you. 👇

https://youtu.be/k0LTBzncOdM

2 months ago | [YT] | 1