Hidden Gems: Meet Benjamin Holthaus of Promani Media

Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Holthaus.  

Hi Benjamin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It all started on my trip to visit family in California when I was 11 years old. My dad gave me an old Olympus point-and-shoot camera to take pictures of the trip. Over a decade later, I haven’t been able to put the camera down. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have definitely been a lot of struggles. As I became more passionate about my work, I started to experience a lot of pushbacks from family, and even relationships as I became older. I was often told that I could never do something like this for my career, that it was not a ” manly ” career, and that it would never be more than a hobby. For a few years that was a really big cause in keeping me down. But over those years my passion for art and photography never dwindled. When I was 19, I had some pretty unfortunate experiences and wound up homeless for a brief period of time and had to sell all of my gear. After a bit of time and some jobs later, I realized that the ” perfect time ” does not exist. The perfect time would be the moment that I made a choice. So, I quit my job, got my gear back, and overnight turned my passion into a career. Fast forward to now it has been the best decision I could have ever made. 

We’ve been impressed with Promani Media, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I grew my business into the wedding industry. My primary focus is Weddings and Elopements. I offer both Photography and Videography, and currently have a team of 4 other photographers and filmmakers to provide my clients with best wedding galleries and films. But there is sort of a ” secret side ” to Promani Media, and that is Pet Photography! I have a huge heart for animals and absolutely love catching their personalities one frame at a time. I even do some pro-bono shoots for animal shelters to get some of these dogs a good time out with some awesome pictures. I think many people will agree that the wedding industry is incredibly competitive, and I think what really separates me from others is really the experience you get when working with me. I am really selective of the couples I chose to work with, and if I’m honest, I actually decline quite a few potential clients. I do this because I firmly believe that in order to provide the absolute best experience, we need to have a great chemistry. Having a great chemistry not only helps communication, but it also helps you feel just that much better in front of the camera. The chemistry that you have with your clients, (in my case couples that are about to get married), plays a pivotal role in providing an amazing experience that they will remember as a part of their wedding for the rest of their lives. 

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My 8th birthday! My dad wasn’t a rich man, but he worked hard. He had to work on my birthday, but I remember my mom setting up a little birthday party for me at a local park, and he was going to come by after he got out of work. Around 5 pm swings by and he shows up with a trailer attached the car. He told us we were going on a little road trip. He took me to the Honda dealership about an hour away from where we lived, and told me that for my birthday I was getting a dirt bike! He bought me a little 50cc dirt bike for my birthday. I was so excited and as soon as we arrived back home, I was on that dirt bike learning how to ride. 

Pricing:

• On average my couples pay $4500-$5500 to book me for their wedding.
• I offer collections to fit any budget starting at only $2000.
• Pet photography sessions are only $125

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.promanimedia.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/promanimedia
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/promanimedia

Image Credits
Promani Media