Now Offering » Shimanami Kaido Portrait Sessions with Dani

It always catches me off-guard when folks are surprised to learn I was a photographer for most of my adult life. For 15 years, photography was a huge part of my identity, a part of me, very much engrained in my soul. Photography is how I made a living all the way back in my college days, through my years working at a graphic design studio, then branching out on my own, even operating my own studio for some time. Photography has been with me while living in two American states and three countries. Now we’re here in Japan, and it’s time.

The long wait is over. We’ve enjoyed three and a half years in Japan, building our Benton Homestead business, renovating an abandoned ‘akiya’ into Benton Guesthouse, restoring abandoned land into our honeybee farm, and navigating challenging immigration requirements. I’m finally going to start offering portrait sessions again!

Honestly, the best part about being a photographer is meeting so many interesting people! While I go through my archives to collect some favorite photos to share, I remember each and every single one of these sessions. Each one of these folks had a brief but lasting connection. I remember hearing about their travels, their lives, and helping them relax in front of the camera. Repeat clients always became friends, as I got to watch their relationships evolve from engaged to married to maternity to family, then getting to see their children grow up. It really is an honor and a blessing.

Here’s a little about my photography history:

I picked up a camera in 2007, while I was studying Visual Communications in college. I was working at a graphic design studio at the time. In the years since then, I’ve received a small handful of photography awards, have shown my pieces in a number of art galleries, taught classes and workshops, operated my own studio, and was twice published in the Photographer’s Forum hardcover annual book ‘Best of College Photography’.

Since starting my business in 2009, I’ve had the pleasure of working with countless wonderful individuals, couples, and families, for weddings, engagements, maternity portraits, family portraits, high school senior portraits. I also enjoy working with businesses for marketing materials, headshots, large events, and conferences; my background in graphic design helps me to understand and anticipate their marketing needs. I’m comfortable shooting everything from natural light to complex studio setups. I’ve photographed fast-paced New Orleans wedding marching band parades, while running backwards along uneven pothole-filled streets, in the dark of night. And I’ve hidden in bushes to catch the perfect surprise proposal. My experience has been wildly diverse, fun, and challenging.

My business philosophy is now, and always has been, quality over quantity. I love knowing that I give each one of my clients the individual attention they deserve. Let’s work together soon!

I’ve collected some awards and recognitions:

2023 > ‘Shimanami Kaido’ Annual Wall Calendar: Honorable Mention

2020 > Extertise’s 19 Best Wedding Photographers in New Orleans

2019 > Peerspaces’s 10 Best Portrait Photographers in New Orleans

2014 > Statesman Journal’s Best of the Mid-Valley Photographer: Bronze Medal

2013 > Statesman Journal’s Best of the Mid-Valley Photographer: Silver Medal

2012 > Statesman Journal’s Best of the Mid-Valley Photographer: Silver Medal

2011 > Oregon State Fair’s Oregon Salon of Photography: Honorable Mention

2011 > Momentum: Images of Dance: Second Place & Permanent Gallery Display

2011 > Statesman Journal’s Best of the Mid-Valley Photographer: Silver Medal

2011 > Photographer’s Forum Magazine’s Best of College Photography ’11: Published

2010 > Statesman Journal’s Best of the Mid-Valley Photographer: Silver Medal

2010 > The Everyman Pro Int’l Photography Competition: Second Place

2009 > The Everyman Pro Int’l Photography Competition: Second Place

2009 > Photographer’s Forum Magazine’s Best of College Photography ’09: Published

2009 > Polk County Fair: Best of all Black and White: First Place

2008 > Oregon State Fair: All-Oregon Art Annual: Third Place

My new Shimanami sessions will be available on AirBnB Services:

Two locations on Ōmishima: Tatara Bridge and Sando Street. I chose these two locations carefully specifically to offer two different sides of Ōmishima with a few locations within easy walking distance, for a variety of gorgeous backdrops during one session. The Tatara Bridge location offers views of the bridge, waterfront, and beach, perfect for cyclists, or grabbing an ice cream cone. The Sando Street location offers more architectural background of Ōmishima’s wonderfully retro little main street, along with Tsuruhime park, and sunset at the harbor. While we walk through iconic Shimanami Kaido scenery, I’ll coach you through easy flow-posing and candid walking shots. With three sessions to choose from, you can find your ideal option for cyclists, families, couples, and individual solo travelers.

Full Private Session
— 90 minutes
— 20 high-res digital images
This is my standard private portrait session. We’ll walk between a few locations in close proximity, and you’ll have plenty of time for an outfit change.
¥60,000 / $375
Reserve Tatara Bridge | Reserve Sando Street

Mini Private Session
— 30 minutes
— 20 high-res digital images
We can have a fast but fun photo shoot, and make the most of our short time together. We’ll shoot for 30-minutes at one location.
¥40,000 / $250
Reserve Tatara Bridge | Reserve Sando Street

Group Session (Not Private)
— 90 minutes
— Up to 5 guests in the group
— 10 high-res digital images (each)
We’ll shoot for 90-minutes, divided equally between the number of guests. This is not a private session, so other may join the group. Ideal for solo travelers who don’t mind being social with other folks.
¥15,000 / $100 each person
Reserve Tatara Bridge | Reserve Sando Street

What do you get? After your session, you will receive a link to your private online photo gallery, where you can select and download your favorite high-resolution digital images. Each session includes a specific number of images. Additional images may be purchased, as well as prints.

What time of day? Generally, I schedule sessions shortly before sunset, sometimes extending a little into the ‘blue hour’ immediately following sunset. This allows for the most flattering lighting and beautiful Shimanami backdrop.

Any questions? Please write to me any time! I’m happy to answer questions and send you more information, about the session, location, or scheduling.

You can find more of our guesthouse, honeybee, natural farming, and renovation content here:
Dani & Evan Benton | Benton Homestead | www.bentonhomestead.com
Planting our roots on Ōmishima island, Shimanami Kaido, in Imabari, Ehime, Japan »
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Now Offering » Shimanami Kaido Portrait Sessions with Dani

© copyright 2009-2023 Dani Benton Photography | Japan | All Rights Reserved | Previously Dani Mouser | Previously Located in Oregon, Louisiana, Mexico