I’m happy to announce my new post of Chief Photographer at Arts and Culture Magazine

The Reliant. I was interviewed for the first issue and I was called back for a meeting to discuss

working with the parent company when I was offered the position. See this link http://issuu.com/thereliant/docs/issue2/9

for the latest issue where I cover everything from a pilates class to the owner for the most amazing chocolate cafe!

OK, back to fashion. I shot for Billy Boyce Ready to Wear. It turned out to be

the strongest ready to wear by the both of us so far. Check out some pics!

DIY Magazine 6 page spread See right here.

I also had my first shoot for new men’s magazine Homme Style. The Youth issue

will be out in May but here are some behind the scenes images.

Events wise, I covered a River Island gifting party. Guests included actors Christian Cooke, Tom Hughes and Paloma Faith.

Some of my work with Hardly Ever Worn It and Hardly Ever High Street has been published in Shortlist and Vantage Magazine.

As normal my weeks are random and mixed. Perfect example is photographing a Pilates book and a fashion look book!

My friend’s play just finished a three week run at the Finborough Theartre. It had rave reviews including Time Out London’s Play of the Week!

I photographed the front cover of the text and watch out as you have not heard the last of this gritty and relevent play.

I am now working on a portrait shoot of my friend Toby Wharton who is one half of the writing team (as well as the lead!).

I was interviewed for new magazine The Relient (http://www.thereliant.com/). It is a periodical based in southeast created to highlight all

that is creative in the area. Very happy with it as they gave me two pages as oppose the original one!

You can see http://issuu.com/thereliant/docs/finalissue1a/11 for the article.

The great thing about an interview is that it allows you to take stock of everything that has happened in

your career. I found myself telling my photographic life story in ten minutes, covering all my highlights

as well as informing what I want from the future.

As a Photographer I have to invest in myself, hense I have taken some courses in

editing at Photofusuion (http://www.photofusion.org/)

I would highly recommend for any beginner or professional. It’s amazing what basics

you miss if you are self-taught. It also has a hire studio and dark room!

Next week I have the private view of my first solo show in central london!

I managed to get The Adam Street Private Member Club. However it was on the condition that I could pull

together a show in a few weeks. It was all hands on deck to meet the deadline. I had a little help for a studio owner,

Catastrophe Analyst and a Civil Servent! No fashion in the show (i know i know). I will be showing portraits and landscapes

HERE IS A PREVIEW

As it is a Private Members club, please contact me at ben@benjaminglean.com if you wish

to come and see it with me in the next few weeks.

Also I have been working with the team at Hardly ever worn it team on an exciting new venture.

I also shot the director for some press that is about to go out.

HERE IS AN IMAGE FROM THE LAST PRESS SHOOT WITH SOME FAMILIAR FACES.

I was working in Davos recently where they had the most snow in 40 years.

Such an amazing location I would live to go back.

Thats FOG and Snow. Hoping to bring you something hotter next update.

Till then…

I do tend to update my blog while watching “bad” television. Not to imply that the

massive gap of updates was due to watching News Night and Question Time.

With X Factor currently airing on both sides of the atlantic, I am reminded of my

experiences when I visited New York.

You can easily argue that the show is frivolous fun but it is full of social commentary.

One is wide spread mentality of wanting fame

and money with little or not talent and effort. The other is the smaller tribe that

hold and energy that drives one forward through all trials

because of a simple desire to fulfil their potential. Friends in my industry have

mixed feelings regarding NYC. I do feel they generally

have a go-getter attitude (sometimes offensive!). It could be the simple fact

I was in a different city that I managed to do so much in the

12 days that I was there. This included 2 location fashion shoots,

Spanish Harlem – featuring Aissa and Louis @ Red Models NYC

Brooklyn Roof Top featuring Luke B @ Ford Models NYC

2 promo shoots,

2 days backstage at couture fashion week with AOFM,

2 days backstage at Arise showcase (opposite main stage) and the afterparty,

street style shooting,

meeting/hanging with all types of creatives, parties and more.

As much as I’m always thinking about my next step, the trip really allowed me to break it down and

consider what is possible and where I would like to go. The plan was to go out there and see what I

could do. From the time I touched down it was non-stop and as much as I enjoyed it I had no break what

so ever. My industry is very similar to being a recording artiste. It is the norm that success is not

over night but the result of many years of hard graft. There are some cases outside this (of course), and some are in it

for the wrong reasons. Much like the show, things are not always as they seem or fair.

Also outsiders tend to have stereotypical views of how this world works. All of these factors

make me question the concept of success and if/when I will “make it”. Is it to live off the fruits of my labour like being

a bar singer or perhaps shooting billboard and A-listers around the world. I’m afraid that I cannot allow

anything less than the latter.

Since I touched down in london I have hit 3 wicked music events with the cream of BRITISH TALENT!!!

MOBOS – featuring Jessie J (Star!)

Q Awards – featuring Ed Sheeran (soundtrack to my life) Noel Gallagher and Emily Sandie (killer vocals)

Wired @ Shordith House – featuring Etta Bond and Labrinth (number 3 on itunes)

I have just shoot the new Billy Boyce Campaign – Featuring Pawel and Kaja @ FM london (I really should be editing now!)

Currently planning a shoot with a designer I met in NYC. So images to come soon along with my website update!

In the space of a week I was cussed online on two different networks.

First, a friend of mine very kindly added my facebook group to a bunch of friends of his.

I later discovered the words “piss off” on the wall. I quickly liked the comment and commented

that he was so direct and articulate that he should run the country. I politely messaged him

explaining that his beef should be with the person that added him and there are better ways to

deal with it. Secondly, I tweeted about the US elections next year claiming that I saw no one

to take Obama’s place. Some random who doesn’t follow me replied that I should go to the opticians.

Now I didn’t loose any sleep over either e-altercation but it made me ponder how we can sometimes see social

media from one side not ever expecting to be challenged. Or the fact that many people make statements

online that they would not say in the flesh.

I had the pleasure of working on two very exciting fashion projects of late. I shot for Urban brand Forreduci.

The job was to revamp their brand providing them with a combo of lifestyle, look book and editorial images.

The location closen by the client was a car park in south London. I love these kinds of projects because you get to work with lots

of different people and put your stamp on a project. See a peek of the shoot below.

On a different side to fashion, I shot an 8 page editorial for DIY Magazine. Check out http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/magazine

to see previous work from the magazine. Creating a balance between the practical and the creative is not easy

but something that is needed especially for a new mag. It has been a while since I have shot for a periodical and I have

missed it! Images to come once it’s published!

I would liken my recent trip to Berlin to the current National Theatre production the Emperor and The Galilean.

An epic journey with both old and new friends. Fun was had, too much was drunk and mistakes were made.

All in all, I came out the other side better for it! Bumping into one of my best pals at the airport was surreal.

My actor friend has penned a play to make it’s stage debut in the new year so look out for FOG. It was a trip of contrasts

were I made new friends, bonded with old ones. Partied on the 14th floor building overlooking both sunset and sunrise

(it was orrrrrn on the dancefloor!), and stood in silence at the Holocaust Memorial.

Back in London Town and in full recovery, I had the chance to attend the world premier

of the final Harry Potter movie with a good friend that works in the industry

and has interviewed all of the stars. What a premier to be my first taste of the red carpet.

Trafalger Square was rammed and walking past TV crews in front of the

National Gallery was something to be taking in for a moment (for life). The red carpet took me

about 25 minutes. It include owls, death eaters, Diagon Alley set, dude from made in Chelsea

and some crazy fans!

Watching the footage on the main screen was amazing. I had Jonathan Ross

and Tom Felton near me. I had managed to squeeze in the previous one on my itunes

just before I left and I am so glad. The last instalment is Great! and as good as the forth which is my favourite.

Enough about the movie. It was then onto Old Billingsgate for the after party.

Champagne reception, bowl food, canapes, food bars, candy floss, chocolate fountain and pic n mix,

I was off straight away as I rolled up my sleeves and got stuck in. After a couple of

mojitos I felt brave and approached Ozwald Boateng. The tailor is an ICON!

But what was said is between us.

I also had a chance to chat with Darren Criss of Glee fame about his current trip in london.

His friend told me that they were in a stage show about Harry Potter called A Very Potter Musical.

This can be found on youtube. I can honestly say I would love to work with both these gentlemen.

Unfortunately I was canceled for Black Eyed Peas. Alton Towers only wanted their Photographer.

I think it’s good to share both the ups and the downs in ones career.

It’s one of those things that has not been the

first or the last time. I expect my paths with the grammy award-winning group with cross in the future.

Well, I leave for Western Super Mare soon as I am at T4 opn the Beach all day tomorrow.

The guest list includes Jessie J,  Wretch 32, Katy B and the cast of Made In Chelsea (really not a big deal).

Update soon!

http://twitter.com/#!/benjaminglean