As a photographer and a trans man, this moment carried weight. These weren’t just photos to me—this was documentation of community, of courage, of connection. I worked to try and capture the scale of the crowd as it filled monument square and stretched up congress street. I ran up congress, shooting down the street, sidewalks packed to the brim with people spilling onto congress. By the time the rally peaked, all of congress street would be filled in by monument square.
I knew I had to find a way to show the scale of what was happening. So I made my way up to the second floor of the Portland Public Market, lifted the window open, and captured the crowd stretching as far as the eye could see. That image—of a city rising up together—feels like a pulse. A reminder. It moved me to my core. The image you see below is actually seven vertical images shot on my Sony A7C and stitched together to make this panorama.
Midway through the rally, I heard over the loudspeakers: “Next up, Senator Angus King.” I didn't hesitate—I grabbed my gear and raced back downstairs, weaving through the tightly packed crowd toward the stage. I arrived just in time to catch a few frames of the Senator addressing the crowd and connecting with folks face to face. Moments like that aren’t just political—they're human.
Everywhere I turned, I saw signs of hope. Literally—painted on poster boards, stitched into flags, written on faces. A local brass band played with fire in their bellies. Elders stood arm in arm with teenagers. Strangers shared handwarmers and smiles.
It’s easy to feel small in the face of so much injustice. But this rally, like so many happening around the country, is a powerful reminder: We are not alone. There are more of us than they want us to believe. And together, we rise.
๐ฅ Let it remind you: you are not powerless. You are not alone. And there’s still so much you can do.
๐ณ๏ธ Vote in every election
๐ฃ Speak up
๐ Call your reps
๐ท Document what’s happening
๐ค Organize locally
๐งก Love each other loudly
And never, ever forget: hope isn’t passive. It’s something we practice.
With love and in solidarity,
benn
*All Photos Copyright Benn Marine, High Res Available for Distribution Upon Request, editorial use permitted if credited to Benn Marine*
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This wasn’t just another assignment—it was a milestone for a community I care deeply about. Equality Commons will create 54 new units of affordable housing in the heart of Portland, specifically intended to support LGBTQ+ people, asylum seekers, and other underserved community members. As someone who’s spent years behind the lens capturing moments of love, protest, resilience, and joy, this one felt particularly full-circle.
As speakers took the podium, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of what this groundbreaking represents. For many of us in the LGBTQ+ community, especially those who have experienced housing insecurity, this project is a beacon. It acknowledges the systemic gaps and actively works to close them.
As someone who previously served on the board of the ECC, the team did ask that I join in on the team group photo, I feel honored and proud to have played a tiny part in this important work.
After the groundbreaking, we headed inside to toast and celebrate all that has been accomplished in the Equality Community Center. Chris O'Connor, the Executive Director of the ECC, shared with attendees the history of the space and the movement up to that point. Not going to lie, I was moved, and I was not alone.
In the above photograph featuring Barb Wood, Dale McCormick, and Frank Brooks—stalwarts of the LGBTQ+ movement in Maine—I am profoundly reminded of the depth and resilience of our community's history. Barb Wood's pioneering spirit led her to become one of the founding members of the Maine Lesbian Gay Political Alliance (now EqualityMaine) in 1984, following the tragic murder of Charlie Howard. Her dedication paved the way for LGBTQ+ rights in our state. Dale McCormick's trailblazing journey as the first openly gay member of the Maine State Legislature, coupled with her role as the inaugural president of the same alliance, showcases her unwavering commitment to equality. Frank Brooks' extensive work as a social worker and educator has been instrumental in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and integrating inclusive practices within social work education. Standing alongside these luminaries, I am deeply inspired and grateful to be part of a community enriched by their relentless pursuit of justice and equality.โ
Being behind the camera at events like this reminds me why I do this work. These are the moments where change becomes tangible—where policy and planning meet hope and community. Through my lens, I get to preserve the emotion and energy of that transformation.
I’ll be watching closely as Equality Commons rises from the ground up—and I’ll be cheering it on every step of the way. Portland deserves spaces like this. We all do.
To learn more about the Equality Community Center and their work, or to support the project, visit eccmaine.org/housing.
And to view the full gallery of images from the groundbreaking, head over to my photo gallery here.
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From the vibrant magenta beans cradled in dirt-covered palms to the golden light of a harvest morning, every frame tells a story of intention, care, and connection. The Ecology School, with its regenerative campus and immersive learning gardens, was the perfect backdrop for this story. It’s a place where students, educators, and growers come together to explore the interwoven systems of soil, food, and sustainability.
What I love most about working with Coast of Maine is how real it all is—no staged perfection, just honest, earthy goodness. These are the kinds of images that don’t need to be polished; the dirt on someone’s hands, the act of planting, harvesting, and building community—that’s the gold.
One of my favorite shots from the day was of a greenhouse doorway with the sign: "Live like you'll die tomorrow. Farm like you'll live forever." That quote hit me hard. It’s a powerful reminder of the legacy we leave behind and the hope we sow with each seed, each act of care, each composted scrap turned into nourishment.
I walked away from this shoot not just with a memory card full of photos, but with a deepened appreciation for the quiet revolution happening in gardens and farms across the country. A revolution led by brands like Coast of Maine and cultivated by educators like those at The Ecology School.
Here’s to growing boldly, organically, and in community.
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We landed in Asheville and needed a place to crash for one night before we hit the trail the next day so we stayed at the Sweet Pea hostel, highly recommend staying there if you need to crash while passing through or spending time in Asheville. Not to be confused with the images below, which are from the first shelter we stayed in on the trail.
This was the first shelter we stayed at and were greeted with a gorgeous morning sunrise.
This is my classic, explosion that happens when we reach our destination each day.
31 miles in!!!
Walking through the town of Hot Springs.
Max Patch - we were here just in time for a lovely thunder storm! Check out the photo below, you can even see the faint line from a lightning strike just above my head. Yop, we hustled out of there pretty quick. So much for a lunch break....
Charlie's Bunion!!
Looking back at Hot Springs after we ascended out of the valley.
We camped out on top of Snowbird Mountain, pure magic to setup/packup camp and eat dinner/brekky while watching the sunset/rise. LLB provided us each with our own microlight 1 person backpacking tents. These things were awesome, especially for only weighing in at only 2 lbs and 4.5 oz. They also pack super tiny and take up very little space. These tents were loaned to us for this trip, but the two person version is on my wishlist for sure (I gotta have room for Remy, my doggo!!). Also, in the photo below you can see one of the hiking poles we used. Those were also on loan to us from LLB, the antishock hikelite poles. They were amazing and it was also my first time hiking with poles and now I will never hike without them. I've since bought my own pair, I love the crud out of them.
This is what happens when you hike in the rain all day. My Oboz hiking boots held up though! Feet never got wet once and I stayed nice and dry in my rain pants and jacket.
Note for next time, don't forget to duck when you charge under a fallen tree... the Smoky Mtns left their mark!
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