Meet Linda Benson | Full time mom | photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Linda Benson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Linda, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks can mean a lot of things; what your fears or insecurities are, how much you’re willing to fail and try again, even how you’re family dealt with mistakes can impact your willingness to take risks. Personally, I struggled with what I call, “I should have known” syndrome. Any mistake I made In the past was experienced with profuse apologies, an urgency to change what I could Immediately, and emphasized with shame. The problem with this thinking – whether it’s as a photographer like me who’s learning on the go – or as a parent, is you cannot and will not take risks OR learn from mistakes. You’ll avoid them as much as possible and be unable to teach others (your children or students or people shadowing you on the job) that the best way to learn (and remember!) IS making mistakes.
One way I combat the fear of failure and the willingness to take risks is to prepare. I have a love/hate relationship with procrastination, but if I’ve learned anything about photographing small children, teens, brides, or awkward husbands, it’s preparation. Creating an outline for myself, doing research online, writing down a shoot-list like a staged play helps taking risks. By me preparing what I will be prompting my clients to do ahead of time, I show up as a professional and put them at ease because – even if it’s faking it – I’m the boss.
So risks can come with preparation ahead of time, and also some of the best ways I’ve learned on the job is by making mistakes. You can’t undo them, but you can be better the next time, and that can make the difference when you see your growth as a professional for your clients!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Would photographer be under this category?🤣 I’m not sure what sets me apart, there’s so many incredible photographers here in the Springs! Perhaps what I’d say I do intently is create personal rapport with my clients. I rarely, if ever, seek out business, because of returning clients and referrals. On-the-job relationship with whoever is In front of my camera is vital to a good photo. I create conversation, questions, action prompts to keep them more focused on me as a person and less on posing. Their personalities and genuine smiles will come through when I am Interested in THEM, their likes, hobbies, they are the focus, but they see more of my face then the lens. It’s snapping as we talk, pausing them in mid step as their smiling about a memory or laughing at a cheesy joke I made.
My clients say they remember feeling comfortable and at ease more then feeling awkward. It’s my job to do that for them when they hire me. Be an instant friend or family member the 30 minutes or 9 hours I’m with them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d start with coffee at Wayfinder, then hop over to Garden of the Gods. We’d enjoy lunch at the GotG resort.

We’d also do the Zoo, and then with a whiskey at the Broadmoore on the patio in the rocking chairs.

Maybe we’d drive up to Breck for two nights and do some hiking!

The AirForce academy is a fun place to go when it’s open…I’m not much good at this 🤣

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shout out to Sara Martin, mom and photographer who took my questions any time of the day about everything from camera settings to pricing! Her biz name is Sara Joy Photography

Website: LindaBphotography.myPixieSet.com

Instagram: Linda_B_Photography