Photographer Spotlight: Christophe Benard

Bio: Christophe Benard is a commercial photographer based in Edmonton, Alberta. His photography business is based on the idea that great projects deserve great images. In this digital world where a more-and-faster attitude often negates quality, Christophe is deeply committed to the belief that quality still matters. Christophe’s photography is characterized by exquisite detail, vibrant colour and precision. His expertise in high-resolution photography, combined with advanced lighting and post-production techniques, results in polished images that will make your projects stand out. Christophe’s client list includes local businesses as well as national and international firms. He firmly believes that efficient, collaborative work is key in creating successful and striking images. Follow Christophe Benard on Instagram at @benardphoto

I would describe my style of photography as…

Detail oriented! I just love small details – texture, color, and shape – as they can all be enhanced with lighting! This is also why I would describe my style of photography as technical. I enjoy the photography process as much as I do pushing my equipment and software to their limits. Postprocessing is a large part of my work even though I still believe that 80% of a shot happens in camera.

My dream gig would be…

Shooting an ad campaign for a prestigious watch company such as Rolex, Breitling, Hublot or Omega just to name a few. Shooting watches is always challenging. The combination of glass and metal – like on a car – really pushes you to raise the bar to keep the reflections under control. Working with a team including an art director and a stylist on a watch shoot would be a dream as I could really focus on what I do best which is the lighting.

My favorite piece of gear is…

Well, I was going to say my Profoto Air Remote but I recently upgraded my camera system, and can now confidently say it is my new Phase One XF. It is a beast of a camera system that really makes my work easier by cutting down my editing time and offering tools that no other camera system currently offers. The modularity of the system makes it a great investment for the future.

My favorite piece of Tether Tools gear is…

It is definitely my 16’ TetherPro USB 3.0 Active Extension Cable. Over 90% of my work is shot tethered making a stable and reliable connection between my camera and computer a key element of my workflow. Both the visibility of the orange cable and its great construction make it one of the most useful pieces of equipment in my kit.

What’s on your photography gear shopping list?

A new camera! And it is done! I just upgraded to medium format – Phase One XF and IQ260 – and purchased 4 lenses with my system to cover all the work I do: architecture, still life and product, as well as commercial portraiture. This is probably it for 2017!

The best advice I can offer a fellow photographer would be…

Be consistent. People keep asking me through email or DM “Hey, how to get started and be noticed?” The secret is consistency: if you keep putting quality work out there, people and potential clients will notice it. I approach every assignment with the same eyes. Each of them is a new opportunity to create stunning images for my clients and add new work to my portfolio whatever the size of the job is. Another piece of advice would be work hard and never give up! As far as I am concerned, hard work beats talent every time… Tether Tools Gear: 16’ TetherPro USB 3.0 Active Extension Cable JerkStopper Extension Lock Tether Table Aero for 15” Apple MacBook Pro Aero ProPad