Meet Danielle Bennink | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danielle Bennink and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I think an artist should reflect the world around them, and I approach the work for my clients in this way. Wether it’s a growing family, a wedding, or another milestone event, I try to reflect the love that I see around me. All the little displays of love we sometimes miss, like a parent glancing at their child as they dance with their new spouse. Or that confused look of wonder in a newborn’s eyes. Or a young child taking their great grandmother’s hands in their own as they move to their spot for the family portrait. The big moments are great, but you can’t tell the full story without these little moments. And those are what inspires me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think being in a creative industry means you are constantly finding yourself. I am constantly changing, growing… and so is my work. Building up a business is also constant work but I think being confident in my voice and what I create has helped grow a great client base. Gaining that confidence in my work has been key because in the beginning I was questioning myself constantly and creating work I thought people would like rather than what I wanted.

The biggest part of my art and what I do is storytelling. I love creating visually beautiful portraits, but the story behind them is what is really important to me. Working in events really gives me the chance to do both.

I started my business by basically just throwing myself into it. Looking back, I don’t know if this was necessarily the smartest way to go about it because I ran into a lot of roadblocks but with the knowledge I had from film/photography school, I just jumped in. I started photographing weddings in 2011, and with every new wedding or family I meet I am learning more. Each event may have the same structure but every couple and their family has a different dynamic and story… which keeps things interesting. With experience came the confidence I needed to make work I really enjoy.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My most important shoutout would be to my children, Walter & Matilda. They are my constant motivation to do better, keep going, and grow my business.

My husband and family for being a constant support in whatever project I take on. Always helping me stay on track and helping me stay focused and never discouraging whatever random idea I throw their way.

Website: www.daniellebennink.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/daniellebennink