Light Up Your Adventure Photos

Light Up Your Adventure Photos

Author: Steve Brazill April 3, 2025 Duration: 54:16

Over the last few years I have been lucky enough to have the agency Wonderful Machine suggest a few photographers for the show, and every single time I’ve been blown away by the level of artists that they represent. Today is one of those times.

Today’s guest is Ben Girardi, and his work, across all areas from active lifestyle to landscapes, and portraits to sports, is stunningly good.

On Ben’s website, he refers to himself as a professional commercial and editorial outdoor photographer who tells stories in the outdoor world. Yeah, that’s a spot-on description of his body of work, yet… it’s so much more than that. His images seem to jump off the page. I’ve actually spent a good deal of time going through every image on his site, trying to figure out what that magic sauce is, what the common thread is, and I think it’s a combination of things. He clearly has a passion for his subjects, and his love of the outdoors allows him to present each image in a way that tells such a concise story. There is also a wonderful, subtle processing that brings emotion to his images. His passion has elevated his craft to a level where he is working with elite athletes, and top global brands.

Ben found photography back in high school, and he was instantly hooked. That love for photography, combined with his passion for snowboarding as he started capturing riding with his friends. For a lot of kids that age, that interest would fall off after awhile, being replaced by the next dream, but not for Ben. He graduated from RIT with a degree in photography, and then was off to Utah, looking for bigger mountains. After meeting his Canadian wife in the Argentine Andes he moved to Pemberton, BC.

Splitting his time between British Columbia and Utah allows him to work on projects in both of those spots, and anywhere in between.

His client list is a Who’s Who of outdoor life and sport, working with companies like:

Pelican Sport      Whistler Resort      GORE-TEX
Head Skies      Vail Resort      and Talisker Whisky

Join commercial and editorial outdoor photographer Ben Girardi and me as we discuss dive into how you can up your game with your nighttime outdoor adventure images.

Connect with Ben

Portfolio: bengirardi.com
Instagram: @bengirardi

Ben’s Photographer Pick

Isami Kiyooka: ikiyooka133.myportfolio.com | @isami_kiyooka

Ben’s Other Work


Steve Brazill hosts Behind the Shot-Video, a series that goes far beyond gear lists and camera settings. Each conversation is a deep exploration of the creative and technical journey behind compelling images. You’ll hear working photographers unpack the entire process-from the initial spark of an idea and the challenges of the location to the critical decisions made in post-production. This podcast sits at the unique intersection of art and practical technology, offering tangible lessons for anyone looking to improve their visual storytelling. Rather than abstract theory, these discussions provide a real-world look at problem-solving under pressure and the artistic choices that define a signature style. Tune in for honest, detailed breakdowns that reveal how memorable shots are truly built, layer by layer. It’s an essential resource for visual artists seeking both inspiration and actionable knowledge, all grounded in the lived experience of accomplished creators.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Behind the Shot - Video
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 55:49
The photographers I am exposed to by doing this show never cease to amaze me. Recently, my buddy Ian Spanier told a friend of his that he should be on the show, and gave him my contact info. At that point, Jason Gardner…
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Duration: 51:16
I never used to go to photography conferences. It’s not that they didn’t interest me, it’s just that none of them cover my genre of music photography. WPPI is all about weddings and portraits, and while Imaging USA seems…
Artistic Macros [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:22
One of my favorite parts of doing this podcast is that I get to discover and meet some amazing photographers, and L.A. based Nikon Ambassador Joey Terrill is a perfect example. We’ve all joked about a photographer we kno…
Architecture Photography Tips & Tricks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:44
I find guests for Behind the Shot in a number of ways. Sometimes it’s a referral from a friend, sometimes it’s a cold email I send after seeing an image I just need to know more about, and now and then it’s through a pho…
Portrait Composites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:53
One look at the client list at the bottom of Paul Mobley’s About page and it’s quickly apparent that he’s one of the best commercial, advertising, and editorial portrait photographers working today. It’s a list of A leve…
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Duration: 1:01:51
Zoe Rain is one of those photographers in the rare group of artists that was born to do what she does. Some people can learn to become amazing artists, while others, people like Zoe, seem to have a natural gift for seein…