
Photographer Showcases Properties Across Kentucky
When 16-year-old Kentucky native Ben Childers received a drone camera for Christmas in 2011, he didn’t realize it would help him launch a business. But when his drone footage of a popular local waterfall received nearly 200,000 views on YouTube, he knew he was onto something. He started posting more footage, and soon local property owners began requesting his aerial videography services to help market their homes and land. In 2017, Ben — then in college and preparing for law school — formally launched his business, Ben Childers Photography (BCP).
Today, Ben and his nine-person team specialize in real estate photography and videography, using a mix of drone and handheld cameras to produce aerial and 3D tour content for realtors, property managers, and developers. Ben and his team also create and license stock footage, which has been used for state and national tourism projects, commercial campaigns, news stories, and films.
Digital tools power the business’s growth. BCP uses digital ads, AI tools, and two YouTube channels to connect with customers and ensure the business’s ads and promotional materials reach the right audiences. “These tools let us reach people in ways that wouldn’t be possible otherwise,” Ben says. “They help us share our work, engage with our community, and keep the business moving forward every day.”
As both a lawyer and a small business owner, Ben understands the importance of advocacy. He recently traveled to Washington, D.C., and met with the office of a Kentucky legislator, aiming to help policymakers better understand how tech policy impacts small businesses’ growth and innovation. “Digital tools have allowed my business to thrive in Kentucky, and I hope to expand even further,” he says. “If policymakers overregulate digital tools, they’ll make it much harder for small businesses like mine to succeed.”
Learn more at benchildersphotography.com.