Nice Premium met with Abdellah Benzamia, a content creator on TikTok.
Who is he?
You may have seen him on social media under the pseudonym _benzprod. At 27, Abdellah Benzamia is a freelance photographer who, in his spare time, seeks out residents of Nice to photograph them.
The Concept
This journey began with unfilmed street portraits, aiming to photograph passersby in the city of Nice. Now, the concept has evolved. In addition to photographing them, he gives them their portrait (retouches the photos on the spot, prints them, and then gives them away). Equipped with his GoPro, camera, and portable printer, he strolls through the streets looking for his next subject. Recently, his content has focused on professions: bakers, butchers, fishmongers, workers, carers… The idea is to highlight certain professions and appreciate them. It’s his way of supporting these people.
He films the reactions and then posts the results on his TikTok.
As his account grows, he now receives requests from followers who want him to photograph a loved one as a surprise.
Why TikTok?
To share. Indeed, nowadays social media is an excellent sharing tool. He wants to bring something different to the networks, kindness, and positive energy. “I have a lot of positivity in me, enough to share with others,” he told us.
His Motivations
More than just taking portraits of strangers, it’s about encounters that lead to enriching discussions. It’s a way for him to make people happy and brighten up a workday. Photography is a gateway into an unknown person’s world. Abdellah admitted that at first, people might be hesitant or even reluctant, but after a few moments, they get involved in the experience and are touched by the attention.
What He Prefers
What he prefers in creating a video is the pre-production stage: where he thinks about the scenario in advance. Then, comes the moment to meet people, take photographs, and spend time with them. A moment that begins with a bit of stress but quickly transforms into a beautiful moment of sharing: “The real thing is the human connection.”
However, when returning home, it’s time for the part he likes least: editing. Nevertheless, it remains a necessary step before achieving the final result and personal satisfaction!
Creating a Video
We followed him during a day of content creation to learn more about the behind-the-scenes. That day, we met a worker at a construction site on Jean-Médecin who was retiring after 40 years of service. For his departure, a colleague had contacted the photographer to give him a beautiful keepsake. A bit of hesitation about who to photograph, followed by some apprehension before approaching him, which quickly turned into a lovely moment of exchange. And above all, into stunning photographs.
The final result of the video: