CHANNING
Channing Benjamin, the "Ansel Adams of Golf Photography", is widely recognized as one of the preeminent photographers in the world today. His golf photography work is not only highly sought and featured in the world's largest publications, but is licensed and sold across the globe. These are but a few of the major publications that regularly feature Channing's works.
"Channing Benjamin Combining Golf & Photography to Help Grow the Game"
"Channing Benjamin: Golf’s Hottest Photographer"
"The Perfect Shot: Golfography Teaches Course Appreciation"
"Picture Perfect: Golf Through a Different Lens"
G&E Magazine aims to deconstruct the journey that golfers and entrepreneurs alike take on their road to success in the world. Their achievements, as well as their trials and tribulations, serve to inspire us. Our goal is to pass that inspiration along to our readers.
We hope you enjoy our latest feature with golfer, photographer, and entrepreneur, Channing Benjamin!
Great to meet you, Channing. To kick things off, why don’t you tell us a little bit about your background?
Absolutely! Well, I was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. I went to Hampton University, which is a small school in Virginia, but I graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in Indianapolis. First real “job” was media director for Light of the World Christian Church – also in Indianapolis and one of the greatest churches in America. In this role, I produced and directed the church’s weekly national television broadcast as well as produced and edited a show for a local ABC affiliate. That really led to me doing a lot of outside work as a video director, and I ended up doing the in-house television production for the Indiana Pacers as well as the concert video director for Deer Creek music in Noblesville, Indiana.
"Life & Work with Channing Benjamin of Beverly Hills"
Today we’d like to introduce you to Channing Benjamin.
Channing, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well, I was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. I went to Hampton University, which is a small school in Virginia, but I graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in Indianapolis. First real “job” was media director for Light of the World Christian Church – also in Indianapolis and one of the greatest churches in America. In this role, I produced and directed the church’s weekly national television broadcast as well as produced and edited a show for a local ABC affiliate. That really led to me doing a lot of outside work as a video director, and I ended up doing the in-house television production for the Indiana Pacers as well as the concert video director for Deer Creek music in Noblesville, Indiana. Well, I got into photography because I needed to feed my creative side after taking years off from television production. The production world was a grind. I moved from Indiana to Los Angeles as the video director for NSYNC and Britney Spears. I was their concert video director, and we traveled all over the world. Fortunately, we would play golf on our days off – a few of us. But the road gets old quickly, so I took a break and decided to look for something that I could do at my own pace. Since I spent so much time on the golf course already, I started taking pictures. You know, I have been fortunate enough to play some beautiful courses, so I try to capture those moments and scenery. A lot of my friends encourage me to get in to printing or selling the images…
"American Golf Courses From the Air"
Golf course photographer Channing Benjamin’s stunning aerial views of four great golf courses starting with the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Since 1919, the exquisite beauty and unique challenges of Pebble Beach Golf Links have electrified golfers and spectators alike. As a newly licensed photographer for the Pebble Beach Company, shooting photos of the courses there has been a real treat.
In October 2018, I was able to catch some beautiful light and sunshine while shooting for 3 days straight. The weather in the area can often be unpredictable, but this particular weekend proved to be nothing short of spectacular. I shot every hole on the course from up high and down low, but many of my favorite images often come from the sky.
A couple of my favorite aerial images, in particular, are from the iconic par-3 7th hole, and the often overlooked par-4 4th hole. For me, a good photo always has to have good light. The subject is important as well, but I’ve created some magical images from many places when the light is just right, and the subject isn’t perfect. Here we have the best of both worlds.
"Meet Channing Benjamin | Golf Course Photographer"
We had the good fortune of connecting with Channing Benjamin and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Channing, what do you attribute your success to?
Networking, networking, networking. As the saying goes, “closed mouths don’t get fed.” Too often, people wait for opportunities to come to them, but more often than not, success doesn’t just land in your lap. You have to build relationships—some will feel easy, while others might push you out of your comfort zone. However, it’s through these connections that you gain both experience and opportunities.
"Photos On Par With None"
Before he was photographing golf courses around the US, Channing Benjamin was playing them. “I was a golfer in the mid-2000s, and I’d take a lot of pictures of the courses with my cellphone,” he says. “My friends saw I had a good eye and encouraged me to get a real camera, and when I started posting photos taken with my DSLR, I got a really great reaction on Facebook and Instagram.”
Because he was a concert video director at the time, Channing quickly learned to appreciate the more relaxed pace of photography, especially on the golf course. “Directing shoots for live concerts is intense,” he says. “With photography, I was able to control my environment more and mellow out a bit. Combined with my personal passion for golf, it seemed natural to end up taking photos of golf courses.”
Channing, a licensed golf course photographer for Pebble Beach Company, is also certified as a drone pilot, which diversifies his client offerings. “You can be somewhat limited on what you can see on the course when you’re on the ground,” he says. “I had taken a ladder out to some courses and captured some photos from a higher perspective, but then I saw some drone work others had done and was intrigued. To be able to take a drone photo from 40 or 50 feet up is amazing. I like to keep a balance, though, between my drone photos and those taken on the ground.”
"Channing Benjamin: Golf Through a Camera Lens"
They are some of the biggest names in the world of golf: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Channing Benjamin.
Wait a minute, Channing Benjamin? Yes. Take our word for it–his name belongs with the greatest to walk the fairways, even if he doesn’t play golf as well as the other three. While the first three names are the best to ever swing a club,
Benjamin is one of the best when it comes to showcasing golf courses near and far through camera lenses.
He got started shooting golf courses in as roundabout a way as possible. “I was actually in television production,” he says. “I did a lot of live concerts and sporting events in Indiana.” Then came a huge leap of faith. “I did some concert directing and that led me to LA in 1999. It was for a small group that no one knew about, NSYNC. It was a risk to go out with them and Britney Spears and PINK, but I did it. I traveled around the world and picked up golf along the way.”
"Golf's Photography Aces"
You’re on the tee box ready to launch when you notice something different. Who is that person moving around in the weeds behind the green? What is that person doing standing on top of a golf cart with a black hood covering their head? What’s up with that cherry picker hovering above the trees with a person peering down from the basket? Those, friends, are the aces who shoot the striking photos we salivate over in the glossy pages of golf magazines, looking for the exact best angle to take the shot. They’re trying to stay out of the line of fire and not hold up your game, for sure. So please play through and if the spirit strikes, feel free to say hi. But don’t tarry long … it’s “golden hour” and the window of light is closing fast.
"Pipeline Marketing Announces Strategic Partnership With Acclaimed Golf Photographer Channing Benjamin"
Two golf industry-leaders are teaming up to help golf and country clubs enhance their branding.
Pipeline, a leading branding and marketing agency for private clubs on Monday announced a strategic partnership with Channing Benjamin, one of the most sought-after golf photographers today. The two industry-leaders are teaming up to integrate their services to help country clubs and golf course communities enhance their branding and market their memberships and real estate more effectively.
Channing Benjamin is widely regarded as one of the best in the world of golf photography. His work has been featured prominently in publications such as Golf Digest, Caddie Magazine, Golf & Entrepreneurship Magazine, NGF Golf Quarterly, The Golfers Journal, and more. Channing has been independently voted the number one social media “must follow” golf photographer by Golfwrx.com, GolfGods of Australia, Wilfore’s Golf Social Media Guide and Waypoint.
"The Book of Mulligan"
Ballyneal’s first caddie and club historian was a dedicated looper and one of the game’s true characters.
It was one of those rounds where every bounce goes the wrong way. Where birdie looks turn into bogeys. One of those rounds where you don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
I stood on the 13th tee at Ballyneal Golf Club, staring out at the rolling waves of fescue. Golfers in the group ahead alternately disappeared and reappeared in 15-second intervals as they traversed the wild ridges of this course. Ballyneal is tucked into the sand dunes of northeastern Colorado, a kissing cousin of the famed Sand Hills region of Nebraska. It’s an area author Jim Harrison once described as “without a doubt the most mysterious landscape in the United States. You begin to doubt your sensibilities, and if your car doesn’t have a compass, carry one along for the detours you’ll take to resolve your overwhelming visual curiosity.”
"The Man Who Left Britney Behind To Become The World’s Best Golf Photographer"
Channing Benjamin is the game’s number one snapper.
Channing Benjamin is the hottest golf photographer in the world right now. Impressive on its own, but even more impressive when you discover he only bought his first actual camera six years ago. In that incredibly short period of time he has grown a worldwide reputation for being the best at what he does. In a previous life he directed videos and concerts for some of the biggest names in the music business, including Bob Dylan, Prince and Britney Spears.
But now it’s all about the golf, his work has been featured in publications across the globe and he’s one of only five officially licensed photographers for the Pebble Beach Company, and also has deals with the Professional Golfers Association of America. We caught up with Channing as he was on back-to-back shoots in the South Pacific, to find out more about his dream job…
"The most popular golf courses on Instagram, per data"
In the age of social media, either playing or viewing a round of golf has become much more than just scoring low. It’s now about bragging to your friends, showing off the scenic surroundings of the course you’re at.
Go ahead and open up your Instagram app and you’ll notice a slew of pals are probably posting pictures and videos of the courses they’re visiting. Just like grabbing hot dogs and a beer at the turn, posting on social media about a golf course has seemingly become routine.
We’re all guilty of doing it, so it’s only natural to wonder which courses are the ones getting the most love on Instagram, with my personal favorite being Chambers Bay (home of the 2015 U.S. Open).
"It's here! GOLF's 2020-21 rankings of the Top 100 Courses in the U.S."
When it comes to course design, it’s the ultimate badge of honor: a spot on GOLF’s biennial rank of the best courses in America. This year, we welcome a record 17 new entries — and beauty you won’t find anywhere else.
"You’ve Gotta Shoot the Shot: A World Renowned Golf Photographer is Taking His Lens to the Green"
‘Golfography’ workshop fuses game of golf with art of photography.
"Photographer shares passion of capturing the beauty of golf courses"
You may not know his name, but you’ve probably seen his pictures. Channing Benjamin is one of the world’s top golf course photographers.
It’s rare that your hobby and what you’re passionate about come together for work. Channing Benjamin has managed to do both — you might even say he’s aced his career. “That’s the fun part, right?,” said Benjamin, gazing down at the monitor of his video drone remote-controller.
Being Channing Benjamin is a lot of fun. “People tell me all the time, I’m the best kept secret in the golf photography business. I like to hide.”
You may not know his name, but you’ve probably seen his pictures. Channing Benjamin is one of the world’s top golf course photographers, working exclusively for golf courses, publishers, and private clubs, creating iconic images of signature holes.
"Channing Benjamin’s Amazing Golf Photography"
Golf Photographer Channing Benjamin likes to break his profession down into simplest terms. Benjamin doesn’t see his craft necessarily being about technique, or even about using a specific camera. Benjamin believes there’s a connection between the light, the subject, and his “eye.”
Benjamin’s past, present, and future sights are set on the best golf courses in the world. His porfolio is an amazing mix of color, landscapes, and golf courses showing off their best possible features.
Benjamin’s Southern California home base has no shortage of spectacular 18-hole layouts, but his global photographic reach has no bounds. We reached out to this visual artist to find out what makes him tick and learn about the stories behind his stunning photos.
"Gil Hanse's Ladera Golf Club is an ultra-exclusive desert oasis outside Palm Springs. We got a first look."
When building Ladera, their new course in the southern end of the Coachella Valley, Los Angeles-based entertainment executive Irving Azoff and Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, kept instructions to Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner simple: no water features, no palm trees. Otherwise, the architects had creative freedom to reinvent 300 acres of lemon groves and mango orchards as a broken landscape of swashbuckling golf holes and dry arroyos.
"Catalogue18: Channing Benjamin Feature"
Catalogue 18 is a lavish annual collection of photos, fine art and illustration, 300+ pages of golf’s most spectacular courses and landscapes. Two dozen highly accomplished photographers and artists from around the world, normally competitors, are together in print for the first time — supplemented with essays, features and commentary by voices from around the game.
