Event photographer · live music and stage

Beni Ocampo

I shoot rooms while they are happening. Stage light is the only light I get, so I learned to work inside it rather than fight it.

Chicago, IL

House photographer, 2016-2020The Fenwick Room, Chicago4 festival seasonsRiverline main stage and wingsIndependent since 2020Shows, festivals, and event coverage

Frames

A singer at the microphone under a single stage wash, front row hands in silhouette

A guitarist backlit through stage haze from the side wing at dusk

A drummer sitting on a flight case in a backstage corridor before doors

A speaker mid gesture on a dark conference stage above a field of shoulders

A first dance at a night reception under string lights

A crew member coiling cable on an emptied stage under a single ghost light

Captions

The Fenwick Room

Four years as house photographer for a 300 capacity room, shooting every bill that came through, headliner or opener.

House photographer, 2016 to 2020

Riverline Festival

Four seasons on the main stage and side wings, shot from the pit and the wing with no lighting of my own.

4 seasons covered

Before doors

A personal series made in the hour between soundcheck and the room opening, when the building is still quiet.

Conference and stage

Keynote, panel, and floor coverage for conferences that want the room to look like the room.

Receptions

Night reception and private event work, shot the same way as a show: available light, no setups, no lineups.

Load-out

The companion series to Before doors, made after the last person leaves and the ghost light goes on.

Roll log

2020 - present

Independent Event Photographer

Shows, festivals, conferences, and receptions.

2016 - 2020

House Photographer, The Fenwick Room

Every bill through a 300 capacity room.

2014 - 2016

Box office and door, The Fenwick Room

Started shooting the openers nobody had booked.

Statement

I started selling tickets at a 300 capacity room on the North Side and ended up shooting the openers nobody had booked a photographer for. That turned into four years as the house photographer at the Fenwick Room, then festival day work, then a calendar of my own. I have never used a flash in a music room. Two personal series run alongside the paid work: one made in the hour before doors, one made after the last person leaves.

Commissions

Show and tour coverage

Single nights or a run of dates, shot from the pit and the wings in available light.

Festival and conference

Multi-day stage and floor coverage with same-night selects for press.

Private events

Receptions and parties photographed the way a show is: no setups, no lineups.

Darkroom notes

What does Beni do?

He is an event photographer in Chicago working in live music, festivals, and event coverage, almost always in available stage light.

What is he known for?

Four years as house photographer at the Fenwick Room, four seasons at the Riverline Festival, and two personal series made before doors and after load-out.

Is he taking bookings?

Yes. Shows, festivals, and event coverage.

Contact Sheet·shown with a fictional demo record

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