About Heart & Mind Creative
Hey, I’m Ben!
Before I ever took a photograph, I was in them. Growing up, having photos taken always felt so blah. It was awkward. I never knew what to do with my hands or how to smile. These were the JC Penney studio days, where you couldn’t shake the feeling that everyone walking by was noticing how uncomfortable you looked in your photos. Sound familiar? Fast forward to when I got engaged, and I felt the pressure of hiring a photographer who could capture one of the most important days of my life. Not just someone who could take good photos, but someone who could truly capture the moments I’d want to relive for the rest of my life. What I’m saying is, I’ve been in your shoes.
That’s why, when I ventured into photography, I embraced the belief that your time in front of the camera should be fun and feel authentic to you. As a storyteller at heart, this is vital to my process — making sure you can be yourself.
At Heart & Mind Creative, I’ve developed a process where I take the time to get to know you, understand your values, and guide you every step of the way. Through this approach, I’ll help you feel comfortable and look amazing! This means you’ll not only have a great time during your session, but you’ll walk away with artistic, emotive, and honest photographs that tell your story exactly as it is. So you can slow down, be present, and truly enjoy the moment.
No more stiff, boring poses.
Beyond photographing weddings and amazing people, you’ll often find me brewing a single-origin pour-over or using my lever espresso machine. Some might call me a coffee snob, and I’m totally okay with that. I’m also an avid music listener and record collector. I love Bob Dylan, indie, ’70s rock, soul, and jazz. That said, I’ve also been known to enjoy a good dose of post-hardcore and emo pop/punk. (And if any of this makes it into your wedding playlist, you’ll probably catch me singing along!)
You’ll also find me hanging out in coffee shops with my wife, exploring Chattanooga, camping, and hosting friends. And, as you’ve probably guessed, all of these activities typically involve coffee and music.
What ties all my hobbies together is people. I’m genuinely interested in learning about your story, your journey, your interests, and your passions. I’d love to sit down with you over a cup of coffee (or beer), hear about what matters most to you, and document your memories in a way that tells your story with artistry, emotion, and honesty.
