In December, I was commissioned by Faber and Faber to shoot Sue Roe for the launch of her new book, Hidden Portraits: The Untold Stories of Six Women Who Loved Picasso (Faber and Faber).

When shooting portraits, I often include music in my sessions to help my subject feel relaxed and to create the best environment for capturing the perfect shot.

Sometimes it’s the song that makes all the difference—ours on the day was “A Girl Like You” by Edwyn Collins.

The shoot took place at Faber’s headquarters in London. Special thanks to my lovely assistant, Fikayo Adebajo.

Pleased to share this portrait of the incredibly talented Joe Dunthorne for The Guardian Saturday Magazine!

The feature was published over the weekend to celebrate the release of his new book, Children of Radium: A Buried Inheritance.

It was so lovely shooting at Joe’s house in East London. It was a beautifully sunny day, and we captured some gorgeous shots of him in his home, as well as this portrait in front of a seamless backdrop.

In December last year, I had the pleasure of working on a short film titled “THE DONOR,” working as their Unit Stills Photographer.

It was an incredible project led by a talented and passionate team, and I’m excited to finally share a little preview image of Genesis Lynea here.

Directed by:

• Nana Duncan
  

Produced by:

• Danielle Goff
  
• Martha Nakintu (Co-Producer)
  

Production Team:

• Lisa Leach – Production Manager
  
• Dami Onamusi – 1st Runner
  
• Jarah Koonsom – 2nd Runner
  
• Jameela Iman – 3rd Runner
  

Art Department:

• Ayanna Blair-Ford – Production Designer
  
• Amara Cooke – Production Design Assistant
  
• Nana Quartey – Production Design Assistant
  

Assistant Directors:

• Yasmin Evans – 1st AD
  
• Brianna Leslie – 2nd/3rd AD
  

Camera Department:

• Ndrika Anyinka – Director of Photography (DOP)
  
• Gareth Young – 1st Assistant Camera
  
• Eden Bokrezion – 2nd Assistant Camera
  
• Mo Abdi – Grip
  
• Tamas Simon – DIT
  

Continuity:

• Rashida Seriki – Script Supervisor
  
• Katie-Ann McDonough – Script Supervisor 2
  

Lighting Team:

• Joe Nkadi – Gaffer
  
• Dragos Czinjepolschi – Gaffer
  
• Joseph Luk – Spark
  
• Fredericka Lathbridge – Spark
  

EPK (Electronic Press Kit) – Stills:

• Hayley Benoit (myself)
  
• Seye Isikalu
  

Hair and Makeup:

• Dominique Desveaux – Makeup Artist
  
• Regina Meessen – Makeup Artist
  

Costume:

• Chloe Nezianya – Costume Designer
  
• Grace Priem – Costume Assistant
  

Sound:

• Clement Jack Harper – Sound Mixer
  
• Joe Day – 1st Assistant Sound
  

Wellbeing Services:

• Richard McIver – Intimacy Coordinator
  

I’m so grateful to have been part of such an inspiring production alongside so many talented individuals. Can’t wait to share more images soon. 

Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to be commissioned by The New York Times to photograph a story on London’s very own ‘Philadelphia dive bar,’ Passyunk Avenue. As the city geared up for the Super Bowl, I was briefed with capturing the authentic Philly spirit that this hidden gem brings to the heart of London. And let me tell you—it was such a fun experience!

Passyunk Avenue is a piece of Philadelphia transplanted into London. From the food to the atmosphere, it genuinely transports you to the East Coast, making it a must-visit spot for anyone craving a taste of Philly while in the UK. It was amazing to see how the bar has become a hub for Philadelphia Eagles fans, especially as they geared up for the big game!

This shoot was especially nostalgic for me, as I haven’t shot food in a while. It took me back to my days in Melbourne shooting for Broadsheet, where I would run around the city capturing everything from local cafes and bars to major events. There’s something so dynamic about shooting food and the vibrant energy that comes with it—whether it’s the perfect burger or the excitement of a game-day crowd.

The whole experience was a blend of creativity, nostalgia, and excitement, and I’m thrilled with how the photos turned out. Be sure to check out the full story in The New York Times and get a closer look at the Philly vibe in London: Read the full story here.

#Photography #SuperBowl #PassyunkAvenue #London #PhiladelphiaEagles #NYT #PhillyInLondon #travel #travelphotography #foodie

I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be one of the judges for this year’s National Geographic Travel UK Photography Competition!

It’s such an honour to be part of this prestigious event, and I’m really looking forward to seeing all the incredible submissions from talented photographers around the world. 🌍📸

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of being commissioned by the Film and TV Charity to produce unit stills and behind-the-scenes photography for their short film “Break The Cycle.” This powerful video campaign aims to raise awareness about mental health and wellbeing within the Film and TV industry, helping to build a healthier and more supportive environment for everyone involved.

This project truly resonated with me on a personal level. As a photographer who often works on set, I’ve witnessed firsthand the demands and pressures that come with this line of work. It was both fascinating and a bit surreal to be shooting BTS of BTS—photographing actors who were playing crew members, blurring the lines between reality and fiction.

The atmosphere on set was super fun, filled with passion and purpose. I had such a fantastic time working alongside an incredibly talented team, and I was fortunate enough to capture some key moments that beautifully encapsulate the essence of the campaign.

Last week, the video was officially launched and has already made a significant impact. It’s been amazing to see how well it’s been received. You can check out the full video on the Film and TV Charity’s social channels.

Here are some of my favourite shots from the shoot—moments that not only tell the story of the film but also highlight the importance of mental health and wellbeing in an industry that’s close to my heart.

I’m grateful to have been a part of this meaningful project and look forward to seeing the positive change it inspires. 

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of welcoming models Florence (@Another Mother) and Persis (@First Model Management) into my home studio for a beauty test shoot. This session was an exciting opportunity to set up the studio in my new space and explore different lighting setups and styles.

With myself handling both the photography and styling and the talented Tianna on hair and makeup, the shoot came together beautifully. It had been a while since I last styled a shoot, so stepping back into that role added an extra layer of creativity to the process. Shooting with two models at the same time was also fun —balancing composition, energy, and dynamics between them. 

Looking forward to sharing more soon!

Image of space and backdrop.

I’m thrilled to announce that the National Geographic Live Masterclass event has just released its final tickets, and I’m incredibly honoured to be one of the panellists for this event! 🎉

The Final Tickets Are Here!

Limited spots are available! You can grab your tickets by clicking the link below:

🔗 https://ngtr.uk/speaker2

Exclusive Discount for You!

As a special thank you for being part of my community, I’m excited to offer you an EXCLUSIVE 10% discount on your ticket! Simply use the code SPEAKER10 at checkout to claim your discount.

The masterclass will be held at The National Theatre on 30th January 2025  📸✍️

This event is a unique opportunity to learn from some of the best in the industry, connect with like-minded travel and photography enthusiasts, and walk away with valuable tips and insights that you can apply to your photography journey.

I can’t wait to meet you all in person and share everything I’ve learned over the years of photographing the world.

Looking forward to seeing you at The National Theatre in January! 🙌

I’m absolutely thrilled to share some exciting news with all of you—I’ve been selected as one of the panellists for The Masterclasses by National Geographic Traveller (UK), on the theme “Gear Up for Any Assignment.” This exclusive event brings together some of the brightest minds in the world of travel and exploration, and I am incredibly honoured to be part of this inspiring line-up.

The event will take place on 30th January 2025 at the Buffini Chao Deck at the National Theatre in London. If you’re passionate about travel, storytelling, photography, and the art of exploration, this is an unmissable opportunity. The day will feature a variety of experts discussing the ins and outs of preparing for travel assignments—whether you’re an aspiring journalist, photographer, or someone who simply loves to explore the world.

As a panellist, I’ll be sharing insights on everything from the equipment and gear we use on the field to the strategies that help us get the best shots and stories. I’ll be joining an incredible group of speakers, and I can’t wait to dive deep into discussions about what it takes to document the world’s most fascinating stories. Whether it’s about navigating the unexpected or preparing for the most challenging environments, we’ll be offering practical advice and expert tips.

If you’re in London or planning to be there on the 30th of January, I would love to see you at this event. It promises to be a day filled with inspiration, knowledge-sharing, and, of course, a celebration of everything that makes travel so special.

Book your tickets now via this link on Eventbrite to reserve your spot and join us for what will surely be a memorable event.

Thank you to National Geographic Traveller (UK) for this amazing opportunity, and I can’t wait to connect with all of you in person!

See you in London! ✨

I’m beyond excited to finally share a project that’s been close to my heart for nearly nine months. In 2022/23, I had the incredible honour of working on Andor  Season 2 at Pinewood Studios, collaborating with Lucasfilm and Disney on what has undoubtedly been one of the most rewarding gigs of my career so far. As both a Portrait Gallery Photographer and 2nd Unit Stills Photographer, I got the chance to work alongside some of the most talented people in the industry, and I’m still pinching myself that this dream opportunity came true.

The energy, creativity, and passion that went into making Andor  Season 2 come to life was nothing short of inspiring. It was a whirlwind experience, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have been a part of it.

Empire Magazine Jan 2025 issue, featuring: Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma, Shot by Hayley Benoit. Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, Shot by Andrew Eccles. Ben Mendelsohn as Orson Krennic Shot by Des Willie.

But here’s the cherry on top: One of my portraits (above) made the cover of Empire Magazine 🙌🏾 My photograph of the talented Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma was chosen for the January 2025 issue, and seeing my work on such a prestigious platform has been an absolute dream come true. There’s something incredibly special about seeing your images in print, and to have this particular one featured so prominently is something I’ll never forget.

While I can only share this one image for now, I promise there’s much more to come! Watch this space for more of the portraits and stills I shot during my time on Andor S2.  There are some incredible behind-the-scenes moments I can’t wait to share with you all.

A huge thank you once again to everyone at Lucasfilm for trusting me with this project and for giving me the opportunity to contribute to such an amazing series. I’m so proud of the work we did, and I can’t wait for you to see the final product — and the images I captured — when Andor Season 2 hits screens on Disney+.