Local People • Local Stories • Oregon Coast

Some people have a way of capturing the Oregon Coast that makes you stop, look, and appreciate the beauty around you. Ben King of Out West Photography is one of those people.

His demeanor and manner are welcoming and gentle. And no, I’m not talking about Atticus the Catticus — I want you to meet Ben King, an Oregonian through and through.

Born in Toledo and raised around Otis and Lincoln City, Ben now has a gallery in Aquarium Village in the South Beach area of Newport.

As a local Realtor, I started noticing his work a few years back while providing real estate photography services. This is when I noticed his photography style. From there, I started following his Facebook page.

The colors, perspectives, and finished tones of his prints are what drew me in.

For me, Ben created an energy in his photos that almost allowed me to hear the atmosphere present when he took the shot. He has an intentionally focused way of getting just the right shot, whether he is out capturing a specific moment in time or spending time with his camera exploring the coast.

Ben brings the Oregon Coast to life for people around the world, allowing them to see and enjoy the coast and call it home in the same way he has had the opportunity to appreciate it throughout his life.

A Visit to Out West Photography Gallery

At the end of April, I had the opportunity to visit Ben (and Atticus) at the gallery.

If you haven’t been, please make plans to do so now!

You enter a large room with walls lined with Ben’s artwork. You can’t help but want to stroll around, taking in all the photographs and perspectives.

As you continue through the gallery and into the adjoining room, you’ll find even more of his work available in different mediums, including puzzles, postcards, and smaller prints.

This is where I found Ben and Atticus.

Ben was so kind to listen to my little spiel about how I became aware of his work. During our interview, the gallery had multiple visitors, and the showstopper was — yes, you guessed it — Atticus!

He really is quite the character. He alone is worth a visit to the gallery.

(Sorry, Ben, but you know your cat is pretty darn cool!)

From Real Estate Photography to Coastal Art

There has been a question I’ve wanted to ask Ben ever since seeing his photos for his real estate clients and his beginning Facebook posts.

Do you have formal education or training in photography, or are you pretty well self-taught from the school of hard knocks?

Why did I ask this?

His photos seemed to have an authentic, unrestricted edge that I didn’t see in many other trained photographers who seemed to follow a more common style or pattern.

Here is a bit of the backstory.

Some time after graduation, Ben started working for the local cable company. This job provided him with the ability to travel throughout our central coast area, from neighborhoods to more rural settings.

Ben enjoyed climbing poles and getting to see amazing views and parts of nature that many people don’t get to experience.

After many years, Ben had to leave fieldwork with the cable company due to his joints becoming no longer tolerant of the harsh daily work requirements and conditions.

At that point, Ben felt a bit discouraged, and it wasn’t the most joyful time of his life.

Finding a New Perspective Through Photography

A family member mentioned that he should look into becoming a caregiver.

Long story shortened, Ben became a caregiver at about 13 years ago. After so many years, the clients he had been with for so long started to suffer serious difficulties or pass away.

As he was processing this new stage in his work life, it was really taking its toll on him thoroughly. Emotionally, mentally, and physically, it was taxing.

Ben found a used Canon camera for sale for a bargain he couldn’t pass up.

He started taking pictures when he wasn’t working, using photography as a way to decompress from the loss and drastic changes involving the people and routines in his life that he had previously maintained for many years.

As he started sharing the photos he was taking, he found something interesting.

People began interacting with him about his photographs.

As time went on, his photos transformed into a life of their own, expressing how he was possibly feeling at the time through each shot captured through the camera.

This is when someone asked:

“May I buy a print of yours?”

Turning Passion Into a Business

Almost three years ago, to the month (June 2023), Ben opened his gallery.

About eight months or so before that, he had committed to photography 100% of the time.

He left his care-giving job, with no backup plan, and went all in.

The courage it must have taken to build his business, reputation, and portfolio day after day!

For him to have the confidence in himself to step out, despite the fear, despite the naysayers, and embrace the chance of failure while taking the opportunity to accomplish something in his life so much greater than he ever could have imagined.

Ben started posting every single day on Facebook a little over three years ago.

Dedicated. Committed. Available. Vulnerable. But driven and determined.

Oh — and the answer to my original question?

Do you have formal education or training in photography, or are you pretty well self-taught from the school of hard knocks?

100% SELF-TAUGHT.

Many months, days, and hours of pictures and studying to make Ben King a true master in the art of photography.

I love seeing the true result of someone passionately mastering their craft or skill.

More Than Photography — A Connection to Community

Ben, thank you for sharing your natural talent and gift with your community of neighbors and loved ones, as well as people all over the world.

You truly are an inspiration to many.

PLEASE, readers — visit Ben and Atticus either in person or online.

I will be visiting again and sharing updates with you all in the near future.

Visit Out West Photography

Out West Photography — Ben King

3101 SE Ferry Slip Rd., #808
South Beach, Newport, Oregon 97365

Gallery Hours: Open most days, 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Hours may vary. Check before visiting.

Discover the Oregon Coast through Ben’s photography, meet Atticus, and experience the gallery for yourself.

---

Story by Maria Hoffman | Reflective Edge Media LLC

Celebrating the people, places, businesses, and stories that make our Oregon Coast communities unique.