BEN MARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY bio picture
  • Random facts about me…

    I was born at a very young age and have become one of the most dynamic people I know.

    I nearly won the high jump at primary school when I was 8. I try to limit my blinking in case I miss something. With nothing but a cheap plastic garden rake and an iPod loaded with 70's Disco, I once stopped a raging bush fire. Several times I have come up with the meaning of life but can’t quite put it into words. My friends love me. I had a pet duck when I was 6, called Alexander, and he died when I was 7... I still don't eat duck.

    I am an accomplished baritone and can play the banjo with my toes. Even though I'm older now, sometimes, just sometimes, I still enjoy eating sand. I like shopping trolleys with one bad wheel. At night I like to drive very fast- with my lights turned off, in reverse.

    In my whole life, I've never dropped an egg on the floor. Reading technical articles upside down helps with my retention of the facts. My favourite colour is blue. I manage my time efficiently, without even knowing it and all my bills are paid on time. I have a passion for restoring broken cane baskets. Dolphins, cows and snakes never bite me. When I grow up I want to be a fireman or maybe an astronaut, what ever pays the best.

Ben & Angela’s wedding photography, Eden South Coast NSW (just my favourites)

What an awesome wedding! So casual, so relaxed & every place we went was just beautiful! I just love anything “old/historic”, not only did we go to some of the most beautiful old places in Eden, Ben Davidson is living history himself.

I hope I get this right…Ben’s great grandfather built Davidson Whaling Station! http://eden.nsw.au/historic-sites/davidson-whaling-station

Kiah River Cabins was the reception venue, WOW what a spot & wood fired Pizza’s for dinner AWESOME!

Just an awesome amazing day and couple, thanks sooooo much Ben & Angela for being you!!!

Joanne Terlich; 02 6493 8531 or 0412 938 531 All Areas

Crown & Anchor B&B Eden NSW

Kiah River Cabins Eden NSW

Ante’s mobile wood fired pizza

Sneak peek for Ben & Angela! Straight off the camera BTW, no postproduction done yet.

Hang in there old house, I dream of restoring you.

Editing, emails, editing, emails, book keeping, editing, emails, shooting, editing…. :o)

Matt & Angela’s wedding photography, Nagambie VIC (just my favourites)

What a laugh of a day! I really loved how quickly everyone relaxed with me being around, I think similar senses of humour helped:o

With a lovely old church in Nagambie then off to the wonderful Mitchelton Winery, I had much to play with!

Thanks so much Matt & Angela for a brilliant day, I can’t help but smile at all the funny moments during the day:o

P.S Thanks very much to Chelsea Nicholson who assisted & had no idea her main role for the day was “furniture removalist”!

http://www.mitchelton.com.au/

Today I am sharing something deeply special about my wonderful partner Liz.

Liz, does not want anyone to feel sorry for her. In her usual selfless way, she has decided to share her story with the hope that if it can help just one person, she will be happy. So, so, so, so proud of you Liz

http://open.abc.net.au/openregions/vic-goulburn-valley-30HS3En/posts/women-healed-by-stories-from-the-heart-37sx5xt

Sneak peek for Matt & Angela’s wedding at Nagambie VIC.

Thanks for your patience Angela I know your hanging out to see your photos, I still many hours of editing to do and will have them up asap! I think they will be worth the wait though:o)

John & Julia’s wedding photography Chinese Melbourne VIC

WOW! What a day, awesome! A 7am start, cruel/evil games devised by the bridesmaids for John to prove his worth, free Chinese food for lunch, getting to play in Melbourne CBD, awesome/amazing/fantastic couple = brilliant! I so loved the Chinese traditions, the obvious respect shown to elders & their love for children & grand children, was beautiful to see! J & J I was so honoured to be chosen as your photographer & very much look forward to catching up for that beer and dumplings you keep talking about:o)

Awesome photo of Ripley & I at home by my amazing friend Bec Thorpe

Love my morning walks with Ripley.

4 Winds Music Festival; Bermagui South Coast NSW

This is such a challenging yet very rewarding event to cover. I need to use every bit of super ninja skills to work around all manner of; poles, pot plants, power cords, performers etc, all the whiles being as quite and unobtrusive as possible. BUT…I love being able to get so up close and personal and witness the artists passion. When you see a violinist has a callous on their collar bone it gives some insight into their dedication. I also love seeing how the artists can go into another dimension whilst performing and when they finish seeing their emotion and exhaustion. I can relate to that!

Autumn & Winter workshop extravaganza

I like to use Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/benmardenphotography  to handle workshop bookings and have placed links below. If you don’t use Facebook send me an enquiry via “contact”. These workshops are a heap of fun! Limited positions available, first in best dressed.

  • Shepparton Stage 1 Beginners Digital SLR Photography; Sunday 20 & 27 May 9am-5pm   https://www.facebook.com/events/228827533885448/
  • Shepparton Stage 2 Digital SLR photography workshop Sunday 3rd of June 9am-5pm   https://www.facebook.com/events/311021425635507/
  • BAND CAMP! A beginners Digital SLR camping weekend workshop at my property near Bega NSW Friday 30th June 8pm ish to Sunday 1st July 3pm.   https://www.facebook.com/events/352211501501996/
  • Canberra Stage 1 Beginners Digital SLR Workshop; Sat 28th & Sun29th July   https://www.facebook.com/events/297501906991827/
  • Canberra Stage 2 Digital SLR Photography; Sunday 5th of August   https://www.facebook.com/events/383461848364692/
  • Adobe Lightroom Bega/Canberra Dates TBC
  • Night time photography Bega/Canberra Dates TBC
  • Portrait Canberra Dates TBC

Stage 1 SLR Photography: 2 full days, $450 pp, $400pp if paid in full one month before or previous attendee. min 6 – max 10 people
• Aperture / Depth of Field
• Shutter speed
• ISO
• Exposure / Using manual mode
• White balance
• Using your cameras different modes
• Focus
• Lenses
• Composition

Requirements
• A digital SLR camera (I have 4 cameras that I can loan) that allows manual control over Aperture/Shutter Speed/ISO
• Camera & flash’s manual
• Tripod (I have 2 I can loan)
• Note paper

Stage 2 SLR Photography: full day $250 pp, $200pp if booked and paid together with Stage 1. min 6 – max 10 people
• Finding beautiful Natural & Available light
• Flash basics (Fill, on & off camera)
• Using Manual mode (again)
• Basic digital post production using Adobe Light Room
• Digital file management and storage
• Introduction to Portraiture; Theory & Practical

Requirements
• A digital SLR camera (I have 4 cameras that I can loan) that allows manual control over Aperture/Shutter Speed/ISO
• Camera & flash’s manual
• Tripod (I have 2 I can loan)
• Note paper
* External flash is good and a remote trigger is even better, I can lend 3x setups for Canon.
Band Camp: Beginners Digital SLR workshop;

I am so excited about this workshop! I love sharing my property and region with others! And now all your photography stories can start with, “this one time at bandcamp….”

2 full days (best to arrive Friday night), $450 pp, $400pp if paid in full one month before or previous attendee. min 6 – max 10 people
• Aperture / Depth of Field
• Shutter speed
• ISO
• Exposure / Using manual mode
• White balance
• Using your cameras different modes
• Focus
• Lenses
• Composition

Requirements
• A digital SLR camera (I have 4 cameras that I can loan) that allows manual control over Aperture/Shutter Speed/ISO
• Camera & flash’s manual
• Tripod (I have 1 I can loan)
• Note paper

Accomodation
* I can offer 1 x double bed & 1 x single bed + floor space, 1 x single tent 1 x car that sleeps 2 BYO bedding for all.
* It does get cold at night, but my shed is very warm and cosy during the workshop.
* Please note; I have an outdoor shower and toilet (all part of the fun).
* So bring your tent, bring your caravan, well behaved families & dogs welcome (plenty for them to go off and explore during the day)
* BYO food/drinks

Portraiture: full day $300 pp, $250pp if paid in full one month before or previous attendee, min 6  - max 10 people

(must have completed stages 1&2 or have VERY solid knowledge all ready)

  • Lighting; natural & artificial
  • Posing
  • Using different lenses
  • Working with different ages
  • How to get a relaxed look
  • Clothes
  • Locations
  • Half day location shoot with model/s

Adobe Lightroom Workshop: full day $250 per person, $200pp for previous attendees of other workshops

  • My workflow revealed for this wonderful software!
  • Importing, editing, exporting, file management, tagging etc

Bloody amazing to have a “job” that touches people like this!

Ben Marden: Home! The wig and sword are too much!
Groom Charles : Son of Ben Marden’s Father! I am Groom Charles.
Ben Marden: Groom Charles is seven feet tall with balding brown/grey hair!
Groom Charles: Yes, I’ve heard. Photograph’s badly, and if HE were here, he’d consume your lenses with red-eye reduced fireballs from his eyes, and bolts of lightning from his beep.
[Ben and assistant Rebecca laugh]
Groom Charles: I *am* Groom Charles! And I see the best photographer of all my countrymen, here in defiance of potential bridezillas and crazy grooms. You’ve come to photograph as a free man, (with assistant) and a free man (with assistant) you are. What will you do without that freedom? Will you photograph?
Ben Marden: Photograph? Against that? No! I will run. And I will live.
Groom Charles: Aye, photograph and you may die. Run, and you’ll live… at least a while. And dying in your bed, many years from now, would you be willin’ to trade ALL the days namely 11th March 2012, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell Beck and Charles that they may take my life accidently, but they’ll never take… MY PHOTOGRAPHY!
[Ben and assistant Rebecca cheer]
OK, so as the story really goes, shown through the evidence of these magical images, neither wig nor very pointy sword or my beautiful bride (ouch, Beck just hit me) where remotely close to deterring the focus (no pun intended) of this complete professional.  Ben Marden, all jokes and random silly make-believe dialogue aside you are an inspiration.  You captured every beautiful moment with split second accuracy, amazingly stealth skill and artistic flair that is simply second to none. We will live with these photos for many years to come, what an incredible legacy to adorn our home and our lives with.  Beck and I have no words to describe our appreciation, cheers Charles and Beck.
P.S. it is no surprise that the amount of people, ranging in the hundreds and the thousands (sorry, just can’t stop with the Braveheart thing)let’s just say lots and lots of people who have said how great these photos are, but more importantly, how your skill has captured and shows the love Beck and I have for each other.  And that my friend, is priceless.

Bloody amazing to have a “job” that touches people like this!
Ben Marden: Home! The wig and sword are too much! Groom Charles : Son of Ben Marden’s Father! I am Groom Charles. Ben Marden: Groom Charles is seven feet tall with balding brown/grey hair! Groom Charles: Yes, I’ve heard. Photograph’s badly, and if HE were here, he’d consume your lenses with red-eye reduced fireballs from his eyes, and bolts of lightning from his beep. [Ben and assistant Rebecca laugh] Groom Charles: I *am* Groom Charles! And I see the best photographer of all my countrymen, here in defiance of potential bridezillas and crazy grooms. You’ve come to photograph as a free man, (with assistant) and a free man (with assistant) you are. What will you do without that freedom? Will you photograph? Ben Marden: Photograph? Against that? No! I will run. And I will live. Groom Charles: Aye, photograph and you may die. Run, and you’ll live… at least a while. And dying in your bed, many years from now, would you be willin’ to trade ALL the days namely 11th March 2012, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell Beck and Charles that they may take my life accidently, but they’ll never take… MY PHOTOGRAPHY![Ben and assistant Rebecca cheer]
OK, so as the story really goes, shown through the evidence of these magical images, neither wig nor very pointy sword or my beautiful bride (ouch, Beck just hit me) where remotely close to deterring the focus (no pun intended) of this complete professional.  Ben Marden, all jokes and random silly make-believe dialogue aside you are an inspiration.  You captured every beautiful moment with split second accuracy, amazingly stealth skill and artistic flair that is simply second to none. We will live with these photos for many years to come, what an incredible legacy to adorn our home and our lives with.  Beck and I have no words to describe our appreciation, cheers Charles and Beck.
P.S. it is no surprise that the amount of people, ranging in the hundreds and the thousands (sorry, just can’t stop with the Braveheart thing)let’s just say lots and lots of people who have said how great these photos are, but more importantly, how your skill has captured and shows the love Beck and I have for each other.  And that my friend, is priceless.

Yes…

Charles & Beck’s Wedding Photography, Narooma Golf Club South Coast NSW (my favourites only)

Charles & Beck, what can I say…normally guys in blonde wigs, drinking beer and the wielding swords would have me running, but some how it all seemed very normal:o) So, so much fun these two! I was really looking forward to this wedding and you guys exceeded my expectations!

The A Team;

Gina Last Batemans Bay

Joanne Terlich; 02 6493 8531 or 0412 938 531 All Areas

Narooma Golf Club

DJ Grey