Today, we’re getting to know Benita R Cloward a little bit better! This is part of a series of interviews we will be having with KIKI members. If you would like to be interviewed go to our interview page and answer a few questions!
Website/ Blog: brcphotography.com
Facebook page: brcphotography
Twitter: @brcphoto
1. When and how did the photography bug bite you?
Back as a teenager. I am not even sure what competition it was, but I won a 35mm SLR and was over the moon. (Please don’t ask me what make and model as I cannot recall. lol) Christmas 2001 my new husband got me my first DSLR, a Pentax *istDS. I loved shooting everything and anything. My husband is in the US military and, even though we met in Germany, 2002 I followed my heart and we moved to the States. So, to me, photography became my journal. I started blogging and tried to keep my family back home in Germany in the loop of our lives. After the birth of our first child I of course took even more pictures. Experimenting, and just plain old shooting, shooting, shooting. I got myself Adobe Photoshop and tried to learn everything I could. Back in 2007 is when I decided that Photography was my destined profession and my business began. Part time, as I wanted to continue to be a stay-at-home mom. Not until 2009, after moving to Oklahoma with now all 3 kids in school, did I make the decision to go full-time. ….okay… so that wasn’t just when and how it began, but a quick recap of the journey to now….
2. Your house is on fire, your family, equipment and pets are safe, but you only have time to take 2 items, what would it be?
uhm…. I have been pondering about this question for days now. DAYS! And honestly…. I cannot come up with anything. Aside from my equipment for obvious reasons, i only really care about my family and pets. Everything else we own of course is great, but… is also replaceable. Over the years, my family and I have moved so many times. We have lost things during moves, basement floodings and what not…and again…. I cannot come up with 2 items important enough. {I’m not even sure if that is a bad or a good thing. }
3. If you could have a conversation with anyone about anything, who would it be and what would you talk about?
Tough one. Anyone, huh? Dead or alive? I think I would have to say, my Opa on my mother’s side. I never met him as he passed away during WW2. but I have seen his pictures and heard stories and I just always wanted to meet him and ask him what life was like and what he would say to having 14 grandchildren from his daughter alone. hehe
4. What can you talk about for hours? (apart from photography)
Being a German….living in the US. The ups and downs. The importance of Sprudel and having your meat cooked well done!
5. What makes you really angry?
Sloppiness. {Is that even a word?} Others can’t stand the sound of nails on chalk boards. I very much dislike people leaving their things on the ground, the counter, the kitchen sink….just left behind period. Hoping Mary Poppins will come and snap it away. And even though I refer to my Shootsac as my Mary Poppins camera bag with all the things i keep in it. I am not. I repeat. I am not Mary Poppins! {okay…. i guess I got a little carried away with that one….}
6. You help an old lady load her groceries in her car; only to find out she is extremely wealthy. She wants to buy you something to say ‘thanks’. What would you choose?
A private jet with unlimited gasoline. {I would fly my family from all over Europe and the US together for a family reunion at least once a year. }
7. What subject matter do you love shooting?
Love. {People. Weddings. Fashion.}
8. If you could only take one lens on every shoot (even if you don’t currently own it), which one would it be and why?
My Nikkor 50mm f1.4. I love that thing! Even though I absolutely love my 85 1.4 as well, I would be more limited on space in certain locations. So, if I would have to pick one, it would definitely be the 50 1.4! Great for portraits, details, groups, and low-light.
9. If you had all the time in the world to do one photography project, what would it be?
My friend from Germany started this Project called Suni e.V to help children and schools in Namibia. I would love to follow her, the helpers and all the children around. Documenting their life. Struggles and successes. Then use those images to raise more money to help out these children and schools in need.
10. Have you ever had one of those embarrassing moments at a shoot? Would you tell us what happened and how you survived?
I think the only embarrassing moments I have had, and most likely will continue to have, is bumping or tripping over things while walking backwards during the actual shoot. I cannot tell you how many times I have bumped my head! I always just laugh it off and keep doing my thing. Plus, usually when I do have these accidents my clients start laughing too….so… it makes for a great photo op.
11. What music do you listen to when you have to get through long hours of admin and editing?
Usually my Jessie J, Peter Fox or Barlow Girl Pandora station but I just recently added a new Lana del Rey station and it is fAB!
12. Which aspect of your craft are you the least and most confident in?
Least, working with flash. Most, working with natural light and trying to achieve the best images directly, that need very little editing.
13. When you have to make big decisions, which do you prefer? “Flipping a coin”, “Comparing the pro’s and con’s” or “going with the flow”.
I usually do a list of pro’s and con’s, but I am also a very spontaneous person and when it sounds smart, safe and fun…I might just go with my gut feeling.
14. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Oh… there are so many amazing places I would love to see: Greece, Tuscany, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, Morocco, …all those sound amazing! But I think I have always been super intrigued by Egypt. Traveling there to take pictures is most definitely on my bucket list.
15. Give a link to one of your recent shoots that you absolutely loved shooting? Why did you enjoy it so much?
I have 2: My 101 Group Workshop shoot from Berlin last August.I had such an amazing group of photographers coming to take my Workshop in Berlin! We had a super fun day. Plus I had my amazing assistant, 2nd shooter and fabulous hair & make-up artist with me. And did I mention that I had never been to Berlin before? Well…. it was amazing to finally see some of this beautiful city. Oh, and visiting one of my sisters (+ family) whom I had not seen in years was definitely another bonus. I just loved the theme of the styled shoot. I think more brides should be daring and go for the non-traditional. And man, was that couple in LOVE! it was just so fun to watch and capture it on film! I had the opportunity to document my friends labor & deliver of her first baby girl. It was absolutely amazing! This was my first labor and deliver documentary and I hope to have the opportunity to capture many more in the future. Capturing the try pain and love of a mother giving birth and then seeing her angel for the very first time is just….WOW!
