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Kevin Benes first got into photography during his high school and college years back in the ’90s and early 2000s. It was not the career path he pursued but a passion he came back to later in life. Two years ago, the advent of mirrorless technology in digital photography rekindled that passion. 

Benes got back into shooting photography, especially shooting wildlife and landscape images in and around Rocky Mountain National Park. He also found that night-time Astrophotography was a way to combine his lifelong love of science and space, allowing him to create art with that love. 

Originally from eastern Iowa, Benes hails from the quad-city area. He attended Western Illinois University, where he studied mathematics and accounting.

“Back in those days, there was a pretty healthy liberal arts requirement at my college, and photography was what I did every single liberal arts credit in,” Benes tells us. 

Benes has been in Estes Park for the past seven years. His work with the Leadville Race Series and helping produce those events moved his family to Colorado and Estes Park. He then took a position working for the Town of Estes Park, events department, and he is now finishing up a tenure with Visit Estes Park as the CFO at the end of the year. 

Benes has also volunteered his time here in the Estes Valley community, not only on the VEP executive committee but also as the webmaster of the Roof Top Rodeo. 

Selling his photographic art isn’t one of his primary concerns, but he has produced some prints for those that have loved a particular piece or another. He is driven more by a desire to share the natural beauty of his home in Estes Park. 

During our interview, Benes mentioned that he is considering a run for Estes Park town council next year. He feels that his background and knowledge would help create an Estes Park that is sustainable moving into the future. 

You can find more information about Benes, his photography, and political aspirations on his Instagram @tryguykevin or Facebook page. 

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