We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ben Everden. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Ben, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’ve been taking on more creative direction and brand strategy work lately. It’s not something I was afraid of exactly. It’s just a big shift from showing up to shoot. The time commitment is real. And when you’re not in-house, it can be hard to keep the tone of voice consistent or make decisions that feel true to the brand.
What’s helped is that I only take on projects I actually care about. Whether it’s the product, the people, or the purpose, I have to believe in it. I’m also constantly listening and thinking. Half my ideas come to me when I’m stuck in traffic or zoning out in the shower. I like solving problems, and this kind of work gives me more ways to do that.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name’s Ben Everden. I’m a photographer and creative director based in Miami. My wife and I run a studio called TRVE Creative where we focus on photography, brand strategy, graphic design, and content. I also share a lot of my personal and client work through my Instagram, @decentcrop.
Most of what I do is driven by curiosity and connection. I work with people and brands I believe in, whether that’s a local tennis club or an emerging fashion label. We also run a YouTube and social channel called Nomad Effect, where we document creative projects and road trips, from building out a 1964 Avion Travelcader to experimenting with more intentional, flexible ways of living and working. It started when we left New York in a beat-up Ford Escape, and it’s become a long-running creative outlet.
Lately I’ve been writing a Substack called Beyond the Grid, where I share behind-the-scenes stories from creative projects I’ve worked on. It’s a mix of personal notes, strange shoot days, and moments that have stuck with me over time.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
This question feels a bit inverted for me. For a long time, I was who the world told me to be. Navigating through various roles and expectations. I started in jewelry design, winning an international award at a young age, which led me into marketing and creative direction. During the 2008 financial crisis, I found myself stepping into content creation and brand strategy, roles that were emerging but not yet defined. Over the years, I’ve worked with global brands like Etihad Airways and Volvo, and led creative teams at agencies such as Havas.
But now, after facing significant personal challenges including a battle with colon cancer, I’m embracing a different path. I’m learning to let go of predefined roles and expectations and allow myself to be more open and adaptable. This journey feels less about fitting into a mold and more about exploring and redefining what it means to be me.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. We’re in the middle of rebuilding our house and living in a trailer, which comes with its own set of challenges. There have been moments when it all felt like too much, and I seriously thought about just selling everything and walking away. What keeps me going is knowing how much work we’ve already put in and the fact that we’re doing most of the rebuild ourselves. That sense of investment and the idea of finishing what we started helps me push through even when it feels overwhelming.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. I find it really hard to be fake. Fake interest, fake persona. I just don’t care to be anyone but myself. I like who I am. I’m the guy who tries to be nice even if everyone else is being a jerk or losing their cool. I stick to who I am and what I believe in. Sometimes that means I finish last. But I don’t have time to be anything else.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Facing cancer forced me to confront this question sooner than most. If I had 10 years left, I’d stop wasting time on things that don’t matter. Stress, distractions, trying to please everyone, and projects that don’t light me up. Life’s too short to carry unnecessary weight. I want to focus on what feels real and meaningful. Creating, connecting, and being present with the people I care about.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://decentcrop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decentcrop/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NomadEffect
- Other: https://www.beneverden.com/
Image Credits
All images were taken by Ben Everden
