Beyond The Grid, Vol. 11 - Seven Shoots, Seven Stories
On persistence, collaboration, and lessons learned.
For years, getting a series published in C-Heads Magazine was a huge goal of mine. I’d long admired the magazine and was a massive fan of the photographers featured on the site. I submitted work a few times before getting my first 'yes' from the wonderful Christine, who runs it.
That breakthrough, my very first feature, came not long after I moved to Miami in late 2019. But the story of that shoot took another turn, one that taught me more than any publication ever could. And it’s where this look back begins.
I’m incredibly proud of every one of these shoots. Together, they make up my complete C-Heads collection so far. I see them as a part of a larger map on my journey as an artist, a foundation that has paved the way for the stories I want to tell next.
So, below are the seven stories. Each with a link (or in one case, a story about a missing link) and a memory from beyond the grid.
1. The Girl off the Street (2020)
It was wild to just find the original text that was published with this series, my first for C-Heads.
That shoot was one of my favorite times behind the camera. I met her while shooting a street style campaign for IMG, and she had such a presence that my own client thought I’d hired a professional model. When the pandemic hit, we did a test shoot that felt like we were two people with one brain. Getting it published on a site I admired so much felt like a massive win.
So, I have to be honest. When she reached out some time later and explained that she had grown as a person and no longer felt connected to the images, I was torn. In truth, I didn't want them taken down. I loved this work and what it represented for my career. I could have handled it better, but I dragged my feet for a bit before passing her Christine's contact info to have the gallery removed.
Time gives you perspective, though. Looking back, I see how my reluctance went against my own values. It wasn't that I didn't understand her position, because I did, even at the time. I just put myself and my attachment to the work first. It ended up being a powerful lesson: people and their journeys are more important than pictures. The real "Beyond The Grid" story here isn't just about the magic of creating the work, but about the complicated, human process of learning to act on your values, even when it's difficult.
2. Juxtaposition (2020)
Here is the link to the full published feature on C-Heads.
I remember this shoot with Viktoria Gabrysiak being a total race against the light. We found this location late in the afternoon with only a short window before the sun disappeared, so there was this great sense of urgency to everything we did. The best shots came from those last few dramatic moments. It’s amazing how that kind of pressure can lead to some of your favorite work.
3. Sometimes Things Just Align (2021)
Here is the link to the full published feature on C-Heads.
The title of this series really says it all. This shoot with Adriana, which we originally did for my friend’s swim brand Kobu, was one of those rare, magical days where everything just worked. The light was perfect, the location was quiet, and Adriana had this incredible, gentle presence that the camera just loved. There was no struggle, no rushing. It felt less like a photoshoot and more like we were just hanging out having a drink, but with a camera involved.
4. Sun-Kissed Mimi in Miami's Summer (2023)
Here is the link to the full published feature on C-Heads.
This shoot with the wonderful Mimi Goodwin started with a simple plan. We used a friend's beautiful house as our location, but the real magic came from the collaboration. Mimi has so many cool ideas and is so comfortable in her own skin, which makes the whole process feel incredibly natural and creative. It ended up being a fast paced afternoon, as we were rapidly chasing the golden hour light while it moved across the property. It’s a good lesson that you don't need a complicated concept when you have a great collaborator and you work quickly with the light you're given.
5. Getting to Know Alexis (2023)
Here is the link to the full published feature on C-Heads.
Anyone who has met Alexis Santiago knows she has this incredible, positive energy, and my main goal for this shoot was just to capture that. We had such a fun, easygoing day. When I sent the photos off to C-Heads, Christine's reaction was proof that we succeeded. She decided to interview Alexis for the piece because her personality really shone through in the images. The result is a feature that feels like a true collaboration, part my photos, part Alexis’s own words.
6. Amidst White Sands and Turquoise Seawater (2024)
Here is the link to the full published feature on C-Heads.
Sometimes you just get to work with people who are pure sunshine, and that was exactly my experience with Ashley Thompson. She is just one of the nicest, coolest people. We were talking during the shoot and she told me she’s a twin and was born right here in Miami, which I thought was so interesting. Her warmth and energy made the whole day effortless, and I think that beautiful, positive spirit is what really makes this series shine.
7. From Another Time (2024)
Here is the link to the full published feature on C-Heads.
This shoot was a true collaboration between friends. It was my second time shooting with Alexis Santiago, and her energy is always incredible. To make the day even better, the amazing Adriana Canals, another friend and model from this collection, did all the styling. The three of us had such a fun and easy day working together. It really felt like we were all on the same creative page, and I think that warmth and friendship is visible in the photos.
What a trip down memory lane. Thanks for diving into these seven stories with me.
If you want to see these shoots in motion, I have a bunch of BTS videos saved on my Instagram that you might not have seen before. They really capture the feeling of each of these days.
I'm really excited about the creative path I'm on now, and it means a lot that you're here for the ride. Hope you'll stick around for what's to come.
Best,
Benny