SPEAKING & WORKSHOPS
UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF CONNECTION, COMMUNITY AND SUCCESS UNDER PRESSURE
THROUGH THE EYES AND WORDS OF A PHOTOGRAPHER
Francine Schaepper
“Ben is a immensely gifted story teller,
the energy in the room was electric”
Maxine McKew, Journalist & Politician.
'Like his photographs, Ben's stories of working with famous and powerful leaders are deeply compelling. Whether it's face-to-face or online, Catalyst members can't get enough of his insights.'
Josie Gibson, Director, The Catalyst Network
Be part of Ben’s journey as he shares powerful stories from 20 years living and working
in New York City and across the globe.
From assisting Annie Leibovitz to shooting one of the world’s most iconic images of Barack Obama and the covers of Time and Fortune magazines.
Hear how he connects with his subjects,
whether Oprah, the last five US Presidents,
or a working single mother, to capture
moments of vulnerability and truth.
“Bens talk was a masterclass in understanding human connection and focus”
Ashley Reade, GM Nike Australia.
Bens talk was our number 1 ranked talk all year with a 93% rating from members.
Tyson Grubb, EO group
Makers who inspire
State Library of Victoria (5.35)
Overcoming rejection from his local TAFE photography course to thriving in New York City, Ben's career has taken him on a journey from assisting his heroes to creating photographs for more than one hundred covers of magazines, books, and advertising campaigns.
Time, Fortune, Forbes, Politico, GQ, Oprah, and many more of the world's leading publications have trusted his passion and determination to succeed. His ability to capitalise on small opportunities to connect with world leaders and icons sets him apart.
His subjects include the past five US Presidents and leaders of 50 other nations to the world’s leading business figures, including Warren Buffett, Richard Branson, Rupert Murdoch, Elon Musk, Carlos Slim and Mary Barra.
Cultural icons he has photographed include Bono, Oprah, Tony Bennet, Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio, Scarlett Johansson, and Jay Z.
Leading companies to have chosen Ben to photograph their leaders include Goldman Sachs, General Electric, Bank of America, and Blackrock.
Ben’s work is in the permanent collections of the Australian National Portrait Gallery, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and he has received awards from numerous American Photo Collections and the New York Press Club.
He has featured on Sunrise, ABC TV, News.com, News Corp, Radio Nova, Radio 5AA, ABC Radio.
Chris Birck
THE POWER OF CONNECTION
Working his way through barriers of power and control to find a connected human moment is the key to Ben's success. His photographs illustrate moments of vulnerability and honesty with many of the world's prominent people, from sharing lunch with Warren Buffett and family stories with President Biden to admiring the efforts of single mums struggling to raise their kids and recording his own mum's battle with cancer.
Ben deconstructs what he does to find that connection.
SUCCESS UNDER PRESSURE
Reflect on techniques and mindset to succeed in situations where you don't have control and the clock is ticking to find the breakthrough.
How do you stay calm and focused when your plans must change in a moment?
How do you take the critical opportunities, rise to the challenge, and find joy along the way?
NEGOTIATING WITH PRESIDENTS
What would you do with your six minutes in the White House to create an iconic image of a President and First Lady while battling a PR team determined to control the narrative?
How do you deal with a Vice President who wants no part in a portrait sitting that day and manage to turn it into a powerful human story?
How do you make a President honour his agreement with you when he has decided to walk away?
COMMUNITY & BELONGING
Ben reflects on the most powerful bond that ties us all together.
Our need for community and belonging.
Studying the work with community supporters of sporting clubs, the connected resilience of single mums raising the next generation of men, the power of faith, shared stories of Vietnam veterans, our shared ages, and a proud indigenous community in the mountains of Peru.
Eric Algra.
Channel 7 - Sunrise
ABC -The Mix
Creator Sessions
