BIO
Ben is a photographer based out of Wollongong on the beautiful South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Whilst he is at home he works as an Ocean Lifeguard. His full time occupation allows him plenty of time off during the Australian winter to follow his real passion in photography, capturing the various aspects of Africa.
“I’m intrigued by the wide open expanses that harbor so many hidden secrets, it’s beautiful landscapes, dangerous and varied wildlife and the diminishing cultures that all exist in such close proximity to one another. It is so different to our lives here in the western world, that I now actually feel more comfortable among the wilds of Africa and the various tribes I visit than I do in my own town. I now feel myself longing to be back in the harsh realities of Africa anytime I am away from it”.
Ben’s regular travel to Africa and his subsequent photographic journeys have seen him drive thousands upon thousands of kilometers through all of southern and eastern Africa in search of that perfect image. His obsession with Africa began when he was picked up by his relatives to go on a surfing holiday down the South African Coast, little did he know that his relatives had something else in mind. He was swept into the fabulous Natal National Parks and after a few hours he was chased by a bull Elephant, he knew then he had a new focus in his life and since then has returned on an annual basis to his mother’s homeland.
His connections with the people traverses the various cultures he visits and allows him to build mutually respectful relationships with the tribes and people he stays with. His images are brought to life by the time he spends living with and learning about his subjects and their cultures. This approach has allowed him to be in the right place at the right time, allowing him and his camera an insight few others ever get access to. It allows his images to showcase these people, their stories, their daily lives and the spectacular landscapes in which they live. The last 18 years have seen him focus more of his time with the Himba villages that are located in Northern Namibia. Ben has built a number of strong relationships with the Himba people which has allowed his photographic style to flourish. Living as the Himba do and learning OvaHimba has given an opportunity to truly understand one of Africa’s most beautiful tribes. His love for these people and their culture has lead him to write a number of publications on Namibia and to lead Namibian Photographic Experiences, where he shares his contacts, experiences and techniques with small groups on a yearly basis.
Bens images have been awarded with a number of International awards, most notably runner up in the National Geographic World Nomads Scholarship, Independent Newspaper / Wanderlust Travel Photographer of the Year (UK), Shutterbug Award Winner (AUS), Named as Australia’s Top Emerging Photographer, winner of the Canon Getaway Gallery Photograph of the year in (ZAR), Getty Images #RePicture award (UK), Runner up in Australia Sony World Photo of the year (AUS) and being a finalist for seven consecutive years in the prestigious Travel Photographer Of The Year Award (UK).
Recently Ben has taken a step back from pushing his work, his focus has been on running photographic experiences in Namibia, Botswana, Ethiopia and Kenya. While not on the road assisting other photographers or continuing to work on his on going body of work on the Himba, he is happy at home spending time with his family.
For more of Ben’s work online, please check out Ben McRae Photography on Instagram, Facebook, X or Steller.