Telling stories and creating change through moment driven photojournalism.
Moment-driven, human-centered filmmaking that puts people at ease to capture authentic stories--from run-and-gun field production to cinematic multicamera interviews.
Drawing on a 25-year career in photojournalism for major newspapers and The New York Times, I specialize in capturing the unposed, defining moments of real life.
FAA-certified drone cinematography and high-resolution stills--capturing unique perspectives that add cinematic scale and a fresh point of view to any project.
A full-service creative partnership with producer Lindsey Seavert and editor Renny McCauley -- from initial scripting and storyboarding to polished documentaries and snappy social media cut-downs.
Love Them First
I co-directed, shot, and edited Love Them First, a feature documentary following Minneapolis principal Mauri Melander Friestleben as she fought to lift Lucy Laney Elementary — a school at the bottom of Minnesota's underperforming list for two decades — off "the list."
It won the 2020 Alfred I. duPont Award, one of journalism's highest honors. More importantly, it's the most meaningful work of my career and proof that film can make a real difference in the world.
Available on Amazon Prime and YouTube.
Moment driven, beautifully shot video revealing the humanity in all people.
Commercial Clients
Xcel Energy
Macalester College
Carelton College
University of St. Thomas
University of Minnesota
IES Medical Group
Children's MN Hospital
Chicago Marathon
Marine Corps Marathon
Editorial Clients
New York Times
Washington Post
Wall Street Journal
PBS Newshour
VICE News
MPR News/APM Reports
Getty Images
Kartemquin Films
Atlantic Pictures
.jpg)
About Ben Garvin
Minneapolis-based documentary filmmaker and photojournalist Ben Garvin has spent over 25 years capturing the moments that define our shared humanity.
From his duPont Award-winning film Love Them First to his recent work for The New York Times documenting the federal ICE surge in Minnesota, Ben brings a journalist’s perspective and a filmmaker’s heart to every project.
Let's Work Together
© 2026 by Ben Garvin Media.