The Ben Karpinski Interview
When and where were you born? What was growing up like for you? Do you have any siblings?
I was born in 1985 in Torrance California. I grew up in Cypress, California with my brother Danny. We both skated and lucked out by having Furnace Skateshop down the street so that was pretty much our second home.
Corey Glick.
When did you first begin to have a fascination with photography and skating? Which came first? What would you and your friends do for fun growing up?
Skating definitely came first. I got a board for Christmas when I was 12 and was instantly hooked. Then in high school I got to take a photo class and it was around the time some of my friends were getting really good at skating and I was never really a jumping down stairs type guy so I quickly became the one behind the camera. Just classic skate rat stuff. Push around all day and skate the Pizza Hut ledge or Cypress College then hit Del Taco and hang out at Furnace watching videos till they closed.
Aidan Campbell.
Ballards Floor.
Who were among some of the first artists, or in general, creative forces that made a huge impact on you? When did you realize you wanted to be a photographer? Did you go to school for any of your creative pursuits?
Welcome to Hell was the first skate video I ever saw and that had a huge impact on me. Was always a big Ed fan. Skate photo wise Jon Humphries and Matt Price were two of the first skate photographers I met that would sort of help me out and tell me what gear to get. It happened pretty organically, just shooting my friends and eventually they got sponsored and the different companies would need photos of them. Working at Furnace definitely got me further than college did but I did take some photo classes at community college.
Greco.
How did you initially become interested in shooting pro skaters? You have single handily shot some of my heroes! Before your career and path as a photographer took off, what was that trajectory like for you? When did everything start to click for you? Who/what made an impact on your life and work the most in terms of inspirations and the topics/subjects you choose to explore and expand on?
I lucked by growing up with Kevin Romar and Nick Garcia where I got to shoot amazing skating right off the bat. Working at Furnace was a good way for me to become friends with the guys on the team. Darrell Stanton and Lewis Marnell were two of the first pros that I got to shoot photos of and kind of helped me get my foot in the door sending photos to magazines and stuff. I got to shoot and interview Lewis for his Thrasher “Heads” interview and that was probably when things started to fall into place. I wouldn’t be where I’m at if it wasn’t for my friends so they will always be who I’m trying to shoot the most. There’s a million ripping skaters out there but it pretty much comes down to who you want to spend your time with.
Jon Dickson.
What’s your day to day life/schedule like? When and where did you land your first photo in a magazine? What was that feeling to have something you shot in magazines that I’m sure you grew up worshiping?
It’s always different but normally when I am home its wake up around 8 or 9 and handle computer stuff and then start hitting up friends around 10 and see who’s skating. Then it’s hanging out in ditches all day or driving up to LA and getting kicked out of 14 spots or being six cars deep driving around the inland empire. Every day is different. The first photo I got in a magazine was a Duffs ad of Dyson Ramones in an old Skateboarder Magazine. Dave Hoang lined that one up for me. Around the same time I got to shoot a Mada ad of Kevin Romar Tre flipping the Santa Monica 14. It was a surreal feeling for sure.
Julian Davidson.
Have you had the chance to do galleries, or shows with your work? What is your approach and process when going about creating your work? Who are some of your Inspirations whether that's other artists, people you know, bands, etc.?
It’s been a minute, but more coffee shops and skate shops than galleries. I did have a show at the Red Room back in the day…. Nothing to prestigious though. It’s a tale as old as time… Ripping skater lands trick.
Kchaud.
How has your career path impacted your life as you move forward working on projects, developing your style, etc.? What project(s) have you worked on that you’ve enjoyed the most, or has it been the most honor/privilege? How has it been since the pandemic to work on your projects and shoot your subject since there was virtually no contact?
Working for RVCA has definitely been huge for me. For the first time ever I’ve been able to get by solely by shooting photos. Working on big video projects are always really fun. I’ll never say no to a fucked up Toy Machine trip. I was on the road with them for a few months when they were filming for “Programing Injection” and got to shoot the majority of the article and wound up shooting a Thrasher cover with Myles Willard during that time period. That would have to be the biggest privilege. I took it pretty seriously at first but then quickly realized that all the spots were wide open and that we could get away with all sorts of shit so I actually wound up getting more photos than usual taking advantage of empty places.
Lewis Marnell.
Are you currently working on any new projects? How has your style/approach changed over the years since you’ve firsted started out on this journey?
The RVCA team went down to Jamaica last month and we got some really good stuff that should be coming out soon. Not too much has changed since I started shooting photos. I think that’s actually the coolest part. I got to go to Europe for the first time earlier this year and Nick Garcia happened to be in Paris with Element while I was there with RVCA and we would link up and grab drinks at night and the fact that this is where we are both at now was like some Sandlot ending type shit. If we are talking journeys haha.
Daniel Shimizu.
Kevin “Spanky” Long.
Is there anything else you would like to further share with the readers?
Enjoy every sandwich.
https://www.instagram.com/karpinsk/
Dakota Brown
