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Zeisha Bennett’s portfolio focuses on her work at the intersection of fashion and photography.Provided by: Zeisha Bennett
By Noah Bartz 2/27/24 10:35 PM
Jeisha Bennett was shocked to find out she was classified as an “extrovert” on the Myers-Briggs personality test. She always considered herself an introvert, but from her bedroom self-portraits to her fashion shoots in Prague, something had to change.
“I realized that in order to get what I wanted, I had to talk to people,” said Bennett, a junior at Baker University. “When I see a random person [and] “I really like your outfit, can I take a picture with you?” I have to say. You have to fake it until you make it. So “fake it until you make it” became a reality. ”
Bennett’s fashion photography has been shown on campus and around the world, from Rice Magazine to the Moody Center for the Arts to the Czech Republic. But art professor Jeff Winningham said her recent work far exceeds the assignments he once graded on her.
Winningham was Bennett’s first photography teacher at Rice University. Bennett, a freshman in Winningham’s introductory photography class, already knew she wanted to major in visual and dramatic arts with an emphasis on film and photography, and Winningham said her enthusiasm was shared by everyone in the class. It was obvious to the eye.
“I remember going on a field trip to the museum with my class, and she seemed to be the most engaged and asked more questions than anyone else,” Winningham said. “She was all there.”
Bennett had a keen interest in clothing long before she first picked up a camera. Her obsession began in her second grade, when she spotted a book on fashion stencils at her school’s annual book fair. Her passion for fashion reached new heights when she entered high school. Ms. Bennett, who was forced to wear a uniform to school every day, took every opportunity to dress up and express her creativity. These days, Bennett is rocking pantsuits, ties and knit vests, and she said her personal style is inspired by ’90s sitcoms.
“There are always certain characters that I’m really drawn to,” Bennett said. She said, “Like Hilary Banks from ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,’ I love her style. She’s very preppy, really put together, and elegant.”
Bennett’s interest in photography began when she visited her hometown of Tempe, Arizona, after moving to Maryland for high school. Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she used the quarantine to experiment with her camera even more. Taking photos of herself and her sister allowed Bennett to hone her skills and put her fashion photography at the forefront of her interests.
Bennett currently serves as President of Rice RAW Photography, works in the art department of Rice Magazine, is a photographer for Thresher, and shoots at 6100Main, Rice’s premier fashion club.
“[Bennett] She approaches everything with so much joy, curiosity and optimism that I feel I can always count on her,” says Creative Services Director Alese Pickering. “I think she has great communication skills and is a wonderful person.”
Bennett began working with Pickering in the art department at Rice Magazine in the spring of 2023. As the department’s first intern, Bennett assists with research and shadows Pickering’s work. In a recent issue of the magazine, she also featured some of her own work. . For the Fall 2023 issue, she photographed students around her inner loop with an eclectic personal style. The photos she took in collaboration with BIOS 386 are featured in the current issue.
Bennett also had the opportunity to photograph events at the Moody Arts Center, including “New Art/New Music,” a collaboration between featured artists and Shepard School of Music students. Assistant curator Molly Everett said Bennett’s talents extend beyond the studio.
“when [Bennett’s] She does event photography and is very good at getting the crowd involved,” Everett said. “She’s in the room, talking to people and taking pictures at the same time. She’s candid and yet inviting people to come together. I think her pictures really reflect the spirit of the event. Masu.”
Bennett said she tries to make her subjects feel comfortable in front of the camera by chatting with them and playing bossa nova in the background to avoid awkward silences. According to his friend and collaborator Avalon Hogans, Bennett always shoots the best.
“I absolutely love working with Zeisha,” said Hogans, a sophomore at Sid Richardson College. “She is very encouraging and empowering and always makes sure that I and everyone else on the shoot feel comfortable and have a good time.”
Despite his busy photography career, Bennett still makes time for his family and faith.
“My greatest supporter and guide is the amazing and loving Lord God,” Bennett said in an email to Thresher. “This was one of my most important relationships and helped me become the person I am today.”
Bennett’s twin, Xandria, said Zeisha is always there for them to cry on, and for SpongeBob jokes and outfit ideas.
“Honestly, Zeisha is just my best friend,” said Xandria Bennett, a freshman at the University of Houston. “She’s a great person and she helps with anything. She always helps me with my outfits because I’m going to be wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt soon.”
For Bennett, fashion photography is more than just a bridge between two interests. It also served a very personal purpose. Bonding through their clothes and favorite TV shows, Bennett was able to form lasting relationships with her subjects and find a place in the world around them through the lens of her camera.
“Fashion photography acts as a little key that opens the door to different places and things and different people,” Bennett said. “It helps you find your place in different parts of the world.”
Confident, thoughtful, lively, and expressive — those who know Bennett have many words to describe her. But her ability to use her photography to connect with the people and world around her is what stands out most to others.
“Zeisha is really happy,” Everett said. “Her photographs reflect not only her beautiful spirit, but also her ability to bring out the best in others and capture it in her images.”
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