Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Neely.
Hi Ben, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am Ben Neely a full-time photographer from Mt Juliet, TN. I cover concerts, festivals, events, POP and real estate. My backstory starts growing up in the country where I worked tobacco fields at times as a child in Columbia, TN. I Joined the military right out of high school. Spent some time in Korea and other places. After 9 years in the Military I got as job in the IT world that ranged from 2nd level IT support up to a sequel scripting job. For years I had desk jobs after driving/gunning tanks in the military. Sitting in a cubical wears on you. After 7 years in that world, I really wanted to get into something fun. I went back to school and wanted to be a photojournalist. After graduating from Nossi College of Art in Nashville, TN the photojournalism jobs seemed to be going away. I was able to create with business partners my own publication and started covering shows. I had at one time 15 photogaphers and 10 writers. Problem with that was it was hard to find pay for them. I also worked for a lot of other publications. Lightning 100, Do615 were a few. A couple of unnamed people within Do615 and Lighting 100 was a driving force that helped me get to know the music world. In this world you pretty much have to be a contractor. I was also working for local venues and at this point I was getting paid. Years of shooting concerts and festivals lead me to where I currently am, a house photographer for LiveNation for multiple venues. I owe much graditude to 1 unnamed person within that company for believing in me. I also cover festivals and events. I am a full time photographer with a balance of concerts, real estate and what’s called POP photos. Always on the go, Always meeting new people. Sometimes it’s hard to land on your feet doing what you enjoy. I’ve met tons of famous people and shoot for a few artists also. Maybe one day I can share some of the experiences I’ve had along the way. I am also very thankful that my family (wife and 3 kids) get to enjoy the ride along the way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For photographers, especially concerts photogs its a long road to start. A lot of free work, kind of similar to musicians. You will get a lot of No’s. Funny story a co-founder if a major photo contributor company once told me that it would be easier growing and selling weed than making money shooting concerts. His words were “Don’t waste your time!”. The problem with that is I’m just as stubborn as he was.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a concert and festival photographer one of the main things you learn is that walking into a venue or onto a festival grounds as a photographer its your job to respect the fans and the artist. You are trying to capture moments in time but what a lot of people don’t realize is you have to be mindful of the experience. The moment is for the fans and you are in the way. A lot of times I get fans saying, am I in your way? The answer is no. not at all. I am in your way. I’ve learned that in the beginning you start out wanting to get the best shot of the artist and you end up as a good photographer wanting to get the best fan shot interacting with the artist more than just the artist on stage. People ask me how do you keep your job? The answer I believe is, respecting the fans, artist and who you work for and then comes capturing moments in time to show the world.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
https://www.botheringtheband.com/archive
I helped these guys & girls get their start. They do have one episode at City Winery in Nashville.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://benneelyphotography.com
- Instagram: benneelyphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ben.neelyphoto
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benneelyphotog/
