Ben Shawver Will Change your Life

If this was the movie Garden State and I was Natalie Portman, I wouldn't be telling you to listen to The Shins. I'd be telling you to look at Ben Shawver's work. Seriously. I stumbled upon his MySpace a couple of days ago and I couldn't help but contact him. And after seeing his photos, you'll understand why.

Runaway Gallery: Okay. Let's get started with the basics. Who are you?
Ben Shawver: Well, I'm still trying to figure out who I am. But my name is Ben Shawver and I'm a photographer.

RG: Are you really only 20? Because your work is amazing. How long have you been doing this for?
BS:Yes, but I actually turn 21 in a couple days. I've been interested in photography since high school but I've only been doing it seriously for about year I 'd say.

RG: For the camera junkies out there what sort of equipment do you use?
BS: Well I haven't acquired the funds yet to get exactly what I want but in the meantime I make due with a Nikon D40 for the digital stuff and for film I use a Pentax k1000.

RG: What made you want to do photography? Was there a certain event that shaped this path for you or did it just kinda fall into your lap?
BS: I can't say that there was any certain moment or event so much as it was something I gradually become more and more interested in.My major for my first couple of years of college was graphic design but I became burnt out on it and i just began to realize more and more that photography just suits my personality. It can be so spontaneous and free flowing and that works for me.

RG: Honestly if I ran a magazine I'd hire you to shoot the photo spreads. Have you ever been published? If not, is that something you'd be interested in or are you just looking to create art that can stand on it's own in a gallery type setting?
BS: No, I've actually never been published but it's definitely something I'm interested in. Though one of the things that draws me to photography and makes me so passionate about it is that I really do love all genres, styles, and mediums. I love shooting anything and try to keep my work very diversified. I enjoy the commercial aspect of photography just as much as the fine art realm.


RG:I don't know how else to describe your work other than "clean." (And I mean that as a compliment.) To me, your photos are beautiful because they are successful at capturing both a moment and conveying a complete feeling. You really have a great eye for this world. Is there a certain je ne sais quoi that makes you think, "oh there it is. I've got the shot."
BS: Wow, I think i just man-blushed. Thank you. haha.That question is hard to answer. It's a "yes" at times and then sometimes a "no." When I'm shooting it's a very natural, flowing feeling and it's almost like I'm in an unconscious state. I guess it would make sense to have that decisive moment go off in my head but i can't really put my finger on it and say i have it down to a formula or something. I just start shooting and the picture comes to me.

RG: What's your favorite photo of your own that you've shot?
BS: That's also another very hard question to answer. I don't think I could pick just one. I will say though my favorite series is one of several images that I did on B&W film. The series is titled "Science Fiction." I enjoy it a lot because it's one of the first series of photos I did that i put a lot of thought into concept-wise. It was also a really good exercise in stretching my imagination and trying to make myself see beyond common objects and make them into something else. I don't have an artist statement up yet for it on the site but it's basically a series of photos that, being conscious of the title of the series, the viewer is supposed to take the images wherever they want with their imagination just as i did, as opposed to just trying to figure out what exactly is in the images. They're yours to explain and decipher.

RG: Favorite moment while pursuing a shot...?
BS: Well it was pretty recently. I was in Amarillo, TX and I had planned on hanging out with some kids I'd known for a long time and the reason i had decided to take picture is, to say the least, because their normal day life isn't as not so normal. Me and my friend Emmanuel drove out to this ranch where they were partying and the first thing I see is this guy I know, Gabe, walk out of some bushes with a 22 rifle in one hand and in the other a dead rabbit. I had no idea what they'd be doing when i got there but it turned out they were having a rabbit bar-b-q. I got several photos that day that are on my site. The series is called "Rabbit Season." They're quite interesting.


RG: Where on earth were those sandy beach pictures taken?
BS: haha.Well it's not actually a beach. It's a place in New Mexico called White Sands. It's just miles and miles of dunes of white sand. It's a very unique and beautiful environment.


RG: What song did you last listen to?
BS: "Stumble In" by Sleepercar.

RG: Last question: what's one thing you wish I would have asked you?
BS: I guess I wish you would have asked me my favorite movie. Which I would have to say is "Punch Drunk Love." Movies are a big inspiration for as I feel that photography and movies go hand in hand. Movies are just an extension of photography and I would love to try out cinematography some day.

See what I mean? At 20 he's already this good and there's only room for him to grow. Its not hard to imagine seeing his images in any number of fashion forward magazines Nylon, Flaunt, W...the list goes on. He's definitely someone to watch out for. For more information on Ben or to see more of his work check out the links below.

Official Website: Ben Shawver Photography
MySpace: Ben Shawver Photography