Nick Benson Photography

08/09/2024

08/08/2024

"Ablaze in the Smoky Skies Above the Flatirons I & II”, 2024

The thick smoke blanketing the region transformed the typical sunset into an otherworldly scene, casting the mountains in warm, glowing tones.

As multiple wildfires consumed parts of Colorado, the setting sun ignited the heavens above the iconic Flatirons of Boulder with a mesmerizing, almost apocalyptic glow through the haze.
Thick plumes of smoke had blanketed the sky, filtering the sunlight into a brilliant tapestry of fiery oranges, deep crimsons, and smoldering umbers. Against this dramatic backdrop, the rugged silhouettes of the mountain peaks stood in stark relief, a testament to the enduring power of nature's beauty - even amidst great challenge and upheaval.

In this scene, we are reminded that even in our darkest hours, when the world around us seems consumed by chaos and destruction, there remains a glimmer of profound, transcendent beauty. Just as these mountains have weathered countless storms, so too can the human spirit find the strength to rise above adversity, to locate the shimmer of hope within the shadows.

This humbling, awe-inspiring sight beckons us to shift our perspective, to seek out the silver linings, the moments of grace that can transform our deepest struggles into occasions for growth, resilience and renewal. For in bearing witness to nature's ability to transform tragedy into splendor, we glimpse our own capacity to do the same - to find the light within the darkness, the elegance amidst the ashes.

A lesson in the resilience of the human soul, written large across the sky.

If you made it down this far, I'm curious, which of these two images do you guys like best?

12/31/2023

Teaming up with the REI media team for the recent multi-day photo shoot in Colorado was an extraordinary experience that I will forever cherish. From the exhilarating biking sessions to the invigorating trail runs, the awe-inspiring snow hikes, the entire adventure was a testament to the boundless beauty and endless possibilities of the great outdoors.

Collaborating with a team of passionate individuals who shared the same love for nature and adventure was an absolute privilege. Together, we immersed ourselves in the rugged landscapes, capturing fleeting moments of pure joy, determination, and awe-inspiring vistas.

This experience has deepened my appreciation for the transformative power of nature and its ability to bring people together, sparking unforgettable memories and a profound connection to the world around us. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity, and I can't wait to share the captured moments with the world, inspiring others to embark on their own outdoor adventures and embrace the transformative magic of nature.

These are some of my favorite images from Day 2 of the shoot. We were planing to capture Fall images, but Mother Nature had a different plan by dumping two feet of snow on us. We decided to pivot and alter our plans to photograph some winter imagery, enjoying the great outdoors of Colorado, and the unexpected weather the area is known for.

09/06/2021

Two of my close friends, Larry Ross and Kelly Moffett decided to take the plunge as husband and wife and get larried this weekend. I had the honor of taking a few photos for them and this is one of them, which I tried something a little different with.

08/03/2021

All smiles.

I remember Maggie’s maid of honor mentioning something in her presentation on her strategic analysis presentation on the Rolka-Stimson merger about Maggie being “all smiles”.
Yep, she was so good with presentations in the workplace, her speech took on the form of a corporate presentation.

That’s stuck with me throughout the day as it rang so true and I couldn’t help but agree with that statement.

Every time I saw her smile or belt out with laughter on the day of their wedding, I couldn’t help but think… “yep, all smiles!”

It’s actually happening all over again as I go through these photos and edit them, so this only felt fitting. I figured I’d share just a few of Maggie’s contagious smiles from throughout the day.

I hope these bring a smile to your face too!

04/18/2021

Quite a while ago, someone had asked me what I like to take pictures of. What really gets me excited when it’s captured on camera.

The truth is, it’s not one single thing. I can’t remember exactly what I had said, but I answered it with the first thing that came to mind. It was most likely something to do with my travels and the outdoors or creating ambiguous abstract photography that’s stripped of its context. That’s the kind of subject matter that first caught my interest in taking photography more seriously when I was younger. That’s why I thought it would be a good idea to go to art school and earn a Bachelors of Fine Arts, rather than a business degree, or something of that nature.

After answering that question, finishing that conversation, and heading home that day, the question kept ringing in my head... over and over. I couldn’t stop thinking about the question I was asked, internally knowing that there was more to my answer.

I realized that over time I had I discovered a reaction to my own imagery that hit me just as hard as the high mountain peaks.

Then it hit me. Regardless of if I’m shooting a person, place, or thing, what really gets me going and just hits me in the gut is: CREATING IMAGES THAT YOU CAN FEEL. A photograph that makes you feel something.

Whether that emotion that the photograph evokes is a smile, a laugh, a tear, a calming silence, a “woah”, a memory to the time and place that the photo was taken — whatever it may be. Something that stimulates the senses in some form. That’s powerful. That is when I feel most accomplished.

If we aren’t creating images that have an impact in some shape or form, why are we even clicking the shutter to record the image?