09/22/2025
I believe it’s time for an introduction for all those who are new to the page.
Many of you already know me and my other photography page as The Real Benny Braden. I stumbled into the photography world when I was backpacking from 2014-2022. I started out as a landscape photographer since I was backpacking through remote tracks of backcountry in several different parts of the states and in other countries. In total I have hiked around 9,000 miles. It was a way for me to document some of the incredibly beautiful landscapes I was seeing while on my trips. During that time i also helped film a documentary that i also starred in called HIGHLINE. It can be seen on Amazon Prime. In it I share my store and with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) as myself and 4 friends backpack through the Uinta Mountains of Utah. The PTS is a side affect of when I was a first responder.
As foot injury after injury began catching up to me and I seen the writing on the wall. I began transitioning from landscapes to live/concert photography. This occurred from 2021 - 2025. I’ve been very fortunate enough to photograph some incredible artists such as MammothWVH, The Steel Woods, The SteelDrivers, Zakk Wylde, Crowder Music, Dan Tyminski, Demon Hunter, War Of Ages, Greensky Bluegrass, Red Clay Strays, Shakey Graves, Zoso - The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience and so many more. I can’t tell you how much fun that was. Plus photographing at incredible venues such as The Caverns, Tennessee Theatre, The Princess Theatre, Bijou Theatre, Paramount Theatre Centre and Ballroom Anderson, and many more.
But in 2023 I felt a pull to get back involved in my local community where I once volunteered and served in roles like volunteer firefighter, vehicle extrication instructor, emergency vehicle operation course instructor, rescue diver, water rescue team leader, EMT, and Swiftwater rescue instructor. But in 2007 when I left the field, I also let all my certifications lapse… I thought I would never return to this industry..
But I was wrong.
In 2023 I began volunteering as a photographer for my department’s I use to serve with like Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads, Blair Volunteer Fire Department and Roane County Rescue Squad. Then before long that number of departments and agencies grew and are still growing. I specialize in photographing departments training sessions, equipment, department portraits, memorial services and first responder funerals. This is how I choose to serve now. Not only do I get to give back to my community, county and state, but also to do something that’s meaningful to the first responders I capture with my cameras and lenses.
That’s what Rescue Company Media is all about. Honoring the men and women with a servants heart that choose to serve their communities and aid those in times of emergencies.
How can i help your department or agency? Send me a message or email.
From this old First Responder to my fellow firefighters , EMTs, Rescue Personnel and Law Enforcement…. “Semper Paratus”
