Shimanami Kaido Portrait Sessions with Dani

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

I’m always surprised 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.

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:

Photography found me in 2007, while I was studying graphic design in college. In the years since then, I’ve received a small handful of photography awards, have shown my pieces in a number of art galleries, and found myself published in the Photographer’s Forum’s hardcover annual book ‘Best of College Photography’ for two years.

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, event coverage, and professional headshots. I also work with small businesses to create images for their online and printed materials; 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, inside the studio or outside in nature. I’ve photographed fast-paced marching band “secondline parades” long after the sun set, running backwards along uneven pothole-filled streets of hot humid New Orleans. 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:

• 2025 > ‘Shimanami Kaido’ Annual Wall Calendar: Runner-Up
• 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.

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.

Thanks for reading,
ダニとエバン ベントン