ABOUT BEn
I am a Houston based photographer specializing in BBQ, food, portrait, events, and night sky photography in west Texas.
My goal every time I pick up my camera is to capture in between moments and make the photos relatable while being as candid in my storytelling as possible. I aim to have a clean and journalistic look which tell a story without being forced. Although I love capturing people, I put the same effort into every aspect of BBQ, food, events, or even night sky photos.
My friends describe me as honest, unapologetic, witty, generous, and kind. And even if I don’t see all those in myself, I’m not one to argue with their thoughts on me.
How it started
In High School I had an obsession with doodling. My 10th grade art teacher took notice and sat me at my own drafting table at the start of the year and I didn’t move from that spot until I graduated.
I even attended summer classes in the same class and sat at the same table just to draw, teach, and create.
Every year while other students had assignments I was given the freedom to draw what I wanted. I experimented with all mediums, but what I kept coming back to was black and white pencil drawing, most of which I still have and hang around my house.
After high school I slowly lost interest in drawing but always wanted something to take place of it in my life and 14 years later when my wife was pregnant with our first child I found my reason
I wanted my kids to have better childhood photos than I did, which was mainly polaroids and 35mm film photos taken by my parents or relatives, so I poured myself into learning the art of photography. Not too long after a friend who’d been shooting weddings and events professionally asked me to assist him. Scared but intrigued, I agreed. That shoot started my journey into the world of events, weddings, and portraits.
From 2008 to 2021 I documented 200+ weddings and eventually fell into the world of cultural weddings such as South Asian, Ismaili, Persian, and Vietnamese traditions.
Journey into Food
During a small intimate wedding in Mexico early 2009 the groom, who was also a friend, approached me about starting a food related project. It involved taking photos of the inside of chef’s fridges at home and all the contents within. We agreed to talk more about it after the wedding, but those talks didn’t get far. My friend passed away less than 9 months after his wedding. So as a tribute I set out to make the project my own. I met and shot 32 local Houston chefs for the project and along the way got into the world of BBQ.
The stories I would hear along the way in the BBQ community always had me intrigued. in 2019 while on a BBQ tour with friends I shifted focus into storytelling in the BBQ world. I started BBQ Confessional to share the stories I would hear. I’ve met folks along the way I would never otherwise meet, and one of those paths even led me to Studio 606 in LA where I got a story and a photo of one of my favorite musicians, Dave Grohl, who is well known in the BBQ world for donating his time to cook for those in need.
My love for Big Bend
In 2013 after years of fascinating about night sky photography I took my first trip to the Big Bend region. Although the first visit was short it set the baseline for every returning trip I’ve had there since. Since that initial trip I’ve traveled to the region 1-2 times a year (4 in 2023) to capture the milky way, perseid meteor shower, hike, explore, and disconnect. My friends know Big Bend to be my sanctuary. I also put on night sky workshops in the region for those who want to go and learn how to capture the landscape and night sky.
If you’d like one of my prints, I have them available for purchase here.
Lets work together
I would love to tell your stories through my photos. Best way to contact me and get the process started is through my contact page (or the button below)
