Maria Mor

My 19 year old self walked up to him with a little notebook and a big smile. He was putting away all his underwater gear back in his bag. Looking at my notebook, I asked him if he ever did research on any specific topics beyond photography. More or less, if he ever read books. As he looked at my notes, his best response was: “I like reading, but I don’t have much time for it.” Internationally known photographer Ben Hicks was giving a lecture at FAU and that right there was our first interaction.

After our initial conversation, I went home and instantly messaged him on his Facebook business page. Keep in mind that I had no portfolio to back up my ballsy move. I did not own a DSLR. Nor did I have any idea what a soft box entailed. My determination, a couple of photography classes, and my smile were the only things going for me.

The message went something similar to this (2012):

“Mr. Hicks ( 7 years later I have realized no one calls him Mr. Hicks)

It was a pleasure meeting and speaking to you today at the FAU photography club meeting. Your lecture was very interesting. If ever you need an intern or assistant to help with photoshoots it would be my pleasure. Have a great day and hope to hear from you soon.”

[ Photo taken by my best friend Michelle Friswell. My first camera was a Canon Powershot 12]

A week went by and the man never answered my message. Rude, right?!?!? I did not give up. After much stalking on my part, I managed to find his business email address and sent the same request. He answered right away. If I had known what I do now is that Ben has very little time for social media and he is constantly checking his email. Needless to say, I harassed Ben until he had no choice but to take me along on a photoshoot.

My first job consisted of carrying his bags. Yes, nothing else. It was for our local police department. I did not touch any type of lighting. Did not take one photo. Did not even talk to the client. I simply held his multiple bags and watched his every move. At the end he bought me a peach for breakfast. That right there was the start of what I believed to be my mentorship. I am not entirely sure what I did during all the bag carrying, but it sure impressed Ben, because he called me for yet another shoot.

From then on I accompanied Ben on a wide variety of projects. From wake boarders, professional surfers, boxers, all the way to roofing companies, corporate events, and editorials. Some were extremely fun, while other were not.  Oh, it also took me about 5 hours to mat and mount 20 fine art prints.

One very early morning (around 5am) we were driving in his car; my physical appearance far from presentable. You could hear a pin drop in all that silence. Ben turns and looks at my sleepy face and says: “if you stick around I will teach you every single aspect of owning a business, including waking up dead early and building tents for an art show.” So I stuck around. Seemed like a good enough deal to me!

2012: Jr. World Champion Noah Flegel

[ Some of my first images shot with my first DSLR – Canon T3i:
As you can see I missed the focus in most of the photos.
Talk about crooked horizon lines.]

Meet Ben in his natural element: Always in the water!

2012: Absolut Branding Event:

Seven years later I can honestly say it has been an incredible ride! At the beginning, Ben did not particularly pay me with money. Instead he paid me with something far more valuable: knowledge and experience. In return I gave him my time and dedication (while I went to school and had a retail job). However, as time moved forward and my skills improves (and I also bought a DSLR) Ben started paying me for assisting and second shooting. If I may, when I started shooting it was not my best work. Yet, I was no longer carrying his bags. Instead I was building lights, setting up backdrops, prepping gear, holding extra cameras, and occasionally covering events right beside him.

2014 – My College Graduation at Florida Atlantic University:

Same year I also shot some of his head-shots (with his guidance):

Today it takes me about 2-3 hours to cut, mat, and mount 85+ fine art prints! TALK ABOUT PROGRESS!! I edit jobs, organize the studio, call clients, make deliveries, handle emails, prep shipments, go on shoots on my own, wash tents, occasionally train other interns, sometimes cover art shows, and all other shenanigans Ben has brewing in his head. I still second shoot and believe it or not I still assist and carry bags. I have indeed retired from tent washing. Turned in my mop this year.

The importance in all of this is that I have grown. You see Ben knows darn well that I sometimes get overwhelmed when he pushes me, which he does far too often. He also knows I occasionally get nervous before shoots. It is also no brainer that we are both stubborn asses when it comes to certain things.

The perks: interacting with a spectrum of people, building a professional repertoire, understanding the financial and administrative side of a creative business, environmental awareness, efficiency, productivity, interesting gear, plenty of facts about water sports and biking, fearlessness, failing, achieving, A LOT of problem solving, critical thinking, editing intensely, profit, endless mornings at the beach, ocean conservation, traveling, how to say F*** in a nice way, etc. Not to mention the complimentary dessert bars and fresh smoothies at events! AWESOMENESS!

2018: Caterpillar Marine Power Systems Behind The Scenes:

[I got motion sickness that day. It was so bad, but I made it work!]

2018: Second shot at BMW “Series 8” release in Miami:

[The photo below was taken with Ben’s iPhone as I was styling my new bae: Canon 5D Mark IV]

The relationship of mentor and “mentee” between Ben and I is like any other. We sometimes do not agree on everything. Occasionally we annoy each other. There are definitely limits. We laugh at some real stupid things sometimes. He criticizes my work. We freaking love ice cream. Most often we are waiting for clients to arrive, because they are late. We do not get much sleep. My editing is slower than Ben’s and we love the beach. My organizational skills are top notch; I cannot say the same for Ben’s. He gives me his outlook on life, asks about my catastrophic dates, and reminiscent about his kid’s latest adventures. Most importantly, we both work hard and enjoy even harder.

I still have a long way to go before I can catch up to Ben. It has not been easy, but I have gained so much. Improved so much. Gratefulness is a total understatement!

That my friends is a mentorship.

In the words of Ben Hicks:

“Make everything seem larger than what it is.” Travel as constantly as you can.” Freaking learn the different types of sea turtles.” “Recycle your shit.” “Invest your money in the right things.” “Eat cereal for breakfast.” “Spend as much time with your family.” “Persist, be patient, and “Hustle. Hustle. Hustle.”