An Interview With Ben Rayner

Ben Rayner is today's featured photographer. We interviewed Ben on BBM, because that's his favorite mode of communication, and we talked about cats, dogs, and Green Day, as well as some of his favorite shoots.

Vice: What was the first shoot you did for Vice?
Ben Rayner: I shot a band called Walk the Plank back in 2004. It was quite funny because some other rapper jumped out of a car and got in the shot.

Who was the rapper?
Gappy Ranks. He had a minor hit about six years ago.

What do you want your photographic legacy to be?
Ask me in 25 years.

How did you get involved with Vice?
I met Andy (the editor) and it was love at first sight.

What's the best Vice shoot you've done?
At Home With Alice and Shane MacGowan.

What's the worst Vice shoot you've done?
They're all great.

Who's your favorite band, person or thing you've ever shot?
Shane MacGowan and Michael Winner.

At what point in the day do you normally take your first picture?
Usually before I've woken up.

What inspired your book Hello Buddy!?
All the buddies around the world.

You love taking pictures of dogs and cats, is there some deep reason or just because you think they're cute?
Obvs I just thinkz dey iz cute ;).

What's your favorite camera and why?
Blackberry camera.

You love Green Day, but you hate The Smiths, isn't that backwards?
I don't hate The Smiths. I just thought it was funny to burn the records. Everyone who was a teen in the 90s liked Green Day and The Offspring.

In the Photo Issue you say you see about three catfights a week where you live, were you exaggerating to look tough?
No way.

HENRY LANGSTON