Benn Marine Photography: Blog https://www.bennmarine.com/blog en-us Benn Marine [email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) Tue, 08 Apr 2025 15:53:00 GMT Tue, 08 Apr 2025 15:53:00 GMT https://www.bennmarine.com/img/s/v-12/u746968039-o962332338-50.jpg Benn Marine Photography: Blog https://www.bennmarine.com/blog 120 120 Hands Off Rally Portland Maine https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2025/4/hands-off-rally-portland-maine On a cold, gray day in Portland, Maine, the city came alive with color, sound, and purpose. Thousands of people flooded Monument Square for the Hands Off rally, standing shoulder to shoulder to defend bodily autonomy, trans rights, free speech, and democracy itself.

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.

๐Ÿ’ฅ Let it remind you: you are not powerless. You are not alone. And there’s still so much you can do.

๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ Vote in every election
๐Ÿ“ฃ Speak up
๐Ÿ“ž Call your reps
๐Ÿ“ท Document what’s happening
๐Ÿค Organize locally
๐Ÿงก 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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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) Hands Off Rally Senator Angus King https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2025/4/hands-off-rally-portland-maine Sat, 05 Apr 2025 20:34:00 GMT
Breaking Ground on Equality: A New Chapter in Portland's Story https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2025/3/breaking-ground-on-equality-a-new-chapter-in-portlands-story Last week, I had the honor of documenting a moment years in the making: the groundbreaking ceremony for Equality Commons, a new affordable housing project led by the Equality Community Center (ECC) in Portland, Maine.

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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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2025/3/breaking-ground-on-equality-a-new-chapter-in-portlands-story Mon, 03 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT
Cultivating Connection: A Day at The Ecology School with Coast of Maine https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2023/9/cultivating-connection-a-day-at-the-ecology-school-with-coast-of-maine There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when your hands are in the dirt, the sun is just beginning to rise, and the first signs of new life peek through the soil. I recently had the honor of photographing for Coast of Maine Organic Products, whose beautiful line of organic soils and composts is helping people grow not just gardens, but more sustainable futures. The shoot took place at The Ecology School—a place where education is rooted (literally and figuratively) in the land.

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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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2023/9/cultivating-connection-a-day-at-the-ecology-school-with-coast-of-maine Fri, 08 Sep 2023 22:45:00 GMT
Beach Time! https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2020/8/beach-time Uncle life is the best. Photos of my nephew on an impromptu trip to the beach.

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2020/8/beach-time Sat, 08 Aug 2020 19:15:00 GMT
Nephew #2 on the Way! https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2020/5/nephew-2-on-the-way Some of my favs I did of my brother's family in anticipation of the birth of my second nephew.

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2020/5/nephew-2-on-the-way Thu, 21 May 2020 03:00:00 GMT
Girls On The Run https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2019/11/girls-on-the-run What an inspiring and empowering event for young women. Was an honor to capture this event for the non-profit Girls On The Run, learn more at The Girls On the Run.

 

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2019/11/girls-on-the-run Mon, 11 Nov 2019 03:34:00 GMT
Reconnecting https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/7/reconnecting I have a close friend I met during my campaign days that I try, though I'm not always super good at it, to keep in touch with. Every couple years or so we get the opportunity to reconnect and spend a day or two at her parents cottage on a lake in New Hampshire. This recent trip I decided I wanted to bring my camera along, just to get a few photos of her family for her. Something that has been impressed upon me in the last year is how quickly things in life can change and how much we really need to savor every moment we have with the people in our lives that we love, especially when we don't get to see them often. I think I only shot about a dozen frames max, but in there I did snag some cool shots of the sun breaking through the clouds and one of the most vivid rainbows I've ever seen. The photo I took of the rainbow was just as it was starting to fade, I almost didn't even run to grab my camera at all, my impulse was to be present and bear witness to nature's show. While my camera missed the best part, I got to soak it up. Some moments are meant for enjoying, not capturing. 

 

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/7/reconnecting Wed, 25 Jul 2018 15:00:00 GMT
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/7/the-north-rim-of-the-grand-canyon After watching the Sunrise in Bryce, we ventured down to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It was noonish that we were there so the lighting is less than ideal, but its still an impressive view!

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/7/the-north-rim-of-the-grand-canyon Tue, 10 Jul 2018 11:30:00 GMT
I love Utah! Photos from Bryce Canyon https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/7/i-love-utah-photos-from-bryce-canyon Back in 2014 I came out to Utah for a campaign, to help out on a nondiscrimination campaign to protect the rights of trans and LGB folks in the state of Utah. After the campaign wrapped up, I had two days before I had to fly home and I spent them with friends exploring southern Utah's Arches and Canyonlands national parks. So when my folks wanted to cap our roadtrip off by returning to south Utah to visit Bryce, I was all in!!! The sunrise photos below are from our last day of our trip. What an epic note to end on! I can't wait to make it back to Utah!! 

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/7/i-love-utah-photos-from-bryce-canyon Tue, 10 Jul 2018 03:30:00 GMT
Death Valley https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/7/death-valley Whew! Was it steamy!! You can feel the heat radiating up from the earth like an oven, it felt like my legs were burning! I guess that's what we get for visiting one of the lowest elevations (I believe -200 feet from sea level) in July! The outside air topped out at 120 degrees that day! Whew! That being said, I def want to come here in cooler weather and do some serious exploring. There is something magical about the desert...

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/7/death-valley Sat, 07 Jul 2018 02:30:00 GMT
Yosemite! https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/7/yosemite We were pretty fortunate to score some great weather for the few days we spent in Yosemite. I even made some friends with a couple local deer up at Glacier Point.

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/7/yosemite Tue, 03 Jul 2018 14:45:00 GMT
Passing through the Mojave National Preserve https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/6/passing-through-the-mojave-national-preserve On our way to Yosemite from Bryce we did a slight detour to the Mojave National Preserve. I also just had to include a pic of my folks cause they are so dang cute.

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/6/passing-through-the-mojave-national-preserve Sat, 30 Jun 2018 04:45:00 GMT
National Park Road Trip! Photos from Zion https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/6/national-park-road-trip-photos-from-zion I'm a total national park junkie. I love how accessible they make the outdoors and how they inspire people to get outside and move and most are accessible to virtually all abilities and fitness levels. I just had the good fortune to spend a week with my folks, which is a rare treat in and of itself, road-tripping out west for 10 days visiting some of the most incredible offerings of the national park system. We spent time in; Zion, Mojave Desert Preserve, Yosemite, Death Valley, Sequoia, King's Canyon, Bryce, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I'm definitely itching to get back to some of these places to do some serious backpacking, this trip felt like just a quick sampler of each, of which I savored every moment.

 

Zion National Park Zion National Park Zion National Park Zion National Park Zion National Park

Zion National Park Zion National Park Zion National Park

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/6/national-park-road-trip-photos-from-zion Fri, 29 Jun 2018 03:00:00 GMT
On the Trail! The AT with LLB!! https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/5/on-the-trail-the-at-with-llb So it was an epic 102.5 mile hike from New Found Gap to Devil Fork Gap. My body was sore and tired but my spirit was renewed and energized. I didn't carry my professional photo setup with me on this one, instead I had the iPhone and GoPro both provided by LL Bean. Great for lightweight fast travel and snagging a quick shot. I guess its true what they say, the best camera is the one you have with you. Some highlights from the trail below. LL Bean even edited together some of our footage into a pretty sweet little one minute video that they posted to instagram.  I've posted that below too. This was definitely an experience of a lifetime and I feel honored and privileged to represent LL Bean on the Appalachian trail. Note that I did not take all the photos, its a mix from both my hiking partner Nicole Cochran and I. Also, they are not necessarily in order... 

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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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/5/on-the-trail-the-at-with-llb Sat, 12 May 2018 04:30:00 GMT
Portland Without Paid Sick Days is Prehistoric! https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/4/portland-without-paid-sick-days-is-prehistoric A rally organized by The Southern Maine Workers Center for paid sick days. A very clever way to deliver a very important message!

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/4/portland-without-paid-sick-days-is-prehistoric Sun, 29 Apr 2018 19:15:00 GMT
LLB AT Relay https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/2/llb-at-relay I work nights part time at LLB, a brand I love, and new for 2018 as part of their Be an Outsider campaign they are organizing a relay of the entire Appalachian Trail. My co-worker Nicole and I applied, and I am happy to update this post with the information that we have been accepted! I added to this post a map of our section in the smoky mountains!  Below are some photos I took while we shot our application video which I've also included.

LLB AT Relay

LLB AT Relay LLB AT Relay Application Video Benn Marine and Nicole Cochran  

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) an appalachian at be bean beanoutsider benn cochran ll llb llbean marine nicole outsider relay trail video https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2018/2/llb-at-relay Fri, 09 Feb 2018 15:30:00 GMT
A seat with a view https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2017/12/a-seat-with-a-view Went out again for sunrise this morning and gave myself the assignment of looking for benches with a view. Of course, I got a little distracted from the goal, but here's what Remdog and I found. I also threw in a fun team photo because, why not, life is short.

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) bench maine portland seat with a view sunrise winter https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2017/12/a-seat-with-a-view Mon, 18 Dec 2017 23:43:00 GMT
Sunrise Adventures: Yarmouth & Falmouth https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2017/12/sunrise-adventures-yarmouth-falmouth I've been working to shoot more, even if it means just going out exploring with just my pup, Remy, and me and my camera. This particular morning we went meandering around the coastal areas of Yarmouth and Falmouth, Maine. Here's some of what we found.

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2017/12/sunrise-adventures-yarmouth-falmouth Sun, 17 Dec 2017 23:43:00 GMT
Marine Media Partners https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2017/10/marine-media-partners Had the honor and privilege to spend the afternoon photographing small business owner Chris Marine and some of his associates in and around downtown Portland. Chris works hard to support the growth and success of local businesses and small businesses all up and down the eastern seaboard with his marketing and media buying knowledge. Check out his site to learn more about Marine Media Partners.

Chris Marine of Marine Media Partners

 

 

 

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2017/10/marine-media-partners Fri, 13 Oct 2017 04:30:00 GMT
Walk in the woods https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2017/10/walk-in-the-woods I was recently asked to give a talk for a non-profit organization at a camp outside of Waterville. Of course in an effort to shoot for pleasure more I brought my camera along with me and went for a walk along a local nature trail once I was done speaking. It was good for the soul. Here are some highlights.

 

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2017/10/walk-in-the-woods Sun, 01 Oct 2017 06:58:00 GMT
Winter in Acadia https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2017/2/winter-in-acadia The empty roads, the closed businesses in Bar Harbor, one would think Acadia shuts down completely for the winter.  Sure, the visitor centers are closed, but the beauty is still here and this time of year you can have it all to yourself. This was from a little adventure with friends poking around the park in the off season.

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) acadia beach fishing maine national park sandy snowy winter https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2017/2/winter-in-acadia Wed, 08 Feb 2017 04:26:09 GMT
A walk with an old friend https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2016/12/a-walk-with-some-old-friends While visiting one of my good friends and previous business partner, Megan, we decided to bust out the cameras and go for a little hike just to experiment and play around. I chose one lens to take with me, a lens baby 2.0. Its a cheap tilt shift lens that is a lot of fun to play with. Here's some of the fun.

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2016/12/a-walk-with-some-old-friends Thu, 08 Dec 2016 13:00:00 GMT
The Pacific Northwet https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2016/7/the-pacific-northwet Recently was out in the Pacific Northwest and of course I had my camera in tow. 

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2016/7/the-pacific-northwet Thu, 28 Jul 2016 11:59:00 GMT
Childhood Dream Come True https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2016/7/childhood-dream-come-true For as long as I could remember growing up I was obsessed with Orcas. Whales more generally speaking were my favorite animal and I went on countless whale watches to see the large giants of the Atlantic. My family and I saw humpbacks, grey whales, right whales, minkes, and even a blue whale. But my dream was to see Orcas in the wild. On this trip to Washington, a childhood dream was complete.

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[email protected] (Benn Marine Photography) https://www.bennmarine.com/blog/2016/7/childhood-dream-come-true Wed, 27 Jul 2016 02:35:00 GMT