Meet Ben Spiro | Owner & Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ben Spiro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ben, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Work life balance is an interesting topic when you work in a field that you are passionate about. Since starting Vanda Media in 2022, there has been a lot of changes in the way that I interpret work, as oftentimes shooting can feel more like a creative outlet than arduous work. That said, it is not all fun and creative. A lot of the back end aspects of running a business is extremely meticulous and can feel overwhelming, especially when you are just starting out… not to mention late nights and 8 hour editing sprints. My work life balance has definitely improved with time and a better understanding of myself as well as my business goals.

Overall I think the most important element to creating a healthy work life balance is to first pursue something you are passionate about. Secondly, it’s important to set weekly rituals which take you outside of your traditional work environment. This routine can help to break up the day to day grind and allows for a better awareness of time, as it is easy to slip into an unhealthy work schedule when there are always a dozen or more things to do. Another important thing to realize is a lot of the pressure that people place upon themselves is unnecessary, and taking breaks/personal days is just as important as the work itself to avoid burnout.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think one of the most interesting parts of photography and videography is the ability to segment space and objects to create new perspectives on common, everyday things. I am always paying attention to things that most people take for granted every day. How afternoon light casts a shadow down an empty street, the underlying geometry of nature, unexpected symmetries, and color theory. There is an infinite amount of beauty if you allow yourself to remove the “filter” of your life experience and see things as if it were the first time. There is a certain amount of mental work to achieve this openness to beauty in the mundane, but this has been one of the most important things to creating work which captures people’s attention. The ability to make someone interact with something they may never actively notice is a powerful tool in visual art.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Living in Miami there is a seemingly infinite list of things to do, from nightlife to nature, the opportunities are endless. So often when a friend is visiting, the itinerary is tailored to their personality. I love eating at new restaurants and trying new things, but some of my go-to spots are Uchi in Wynwood, The Matador Club in Miami Beach, Sapore di Mar in the Grove and Bombay Darbar (also in the Grove). As for nightlife, I love a night of Brickell bar hopping or if you want to take it to the next level, E11even and/or Club Space. If we take ourselves out of the flashy Miami scene, I love spending time doing yoga at South Pointe park, relaxing at Crandon Park beach, or going down to the Keys with friends for a spearfishing/scuba diving excursion. I think its important to have balance, as Miami is a city that can suck you into a scene that can be unhealthy without self control.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to shout out my family for pushing me since I was young to find a career in a field where I am both passionate and talented. I took a large risk leaving from my stable position as a Luxury Real Estate Agent with Compass to starting my own business from scratch. There were many times I doubted myself and my family has been fantastic at supporting me through the lows of this process.

I would also love to shout out Orange Umbrella, an student led advertising agency at the University of Miami led by the wonderful MJ Barnes. This organization was one of the first catalysts that led me to pursue a creative career. I was initially studying PreMed Neuroscience, and after some soul searching, made the switch to Psychology and Advertising double major with a minor in Fine Arts Photography and Biology. Orange Umbrella helped me develop my creative skill set in a professional sense, working as a photographer, social media director, and other roles to provide real world experience in an agency setting. I am truly grateful for everything MJ has done to help me pursue my passions and realize there are many avenues in the creative space worth pursuing.

Website: www.vandamediagroup.com

Instagram: @vanda.media

Other: Personal Instagram: @benspiro25

Image Credits
All photos taken by Ben Spiro.