Through her lens: Laura Ben-David

Anyone who knows me knows Laura Ben-David. Simply put, she is my person. The person I turn to in happiness and sadness, in joy and frustration, to get things done and to do things with, to climb a mountain, to smell the flowers, and to change the world.

It is rare to find a soulmate. It’s nearly impossible to find two. I have been doubly blessed in having found not only an incredible husband, but a friend with whom my soul is entwined. 

Though we met only about 14 years ago, we have lived lifetimes in the years since. 

The first time Laura and I went away together was in March 2016. We took advantage of a work trip up north and stayed overnight to see the most stunning parts of Israel.

After getting stuck in the mud (and laughing about it) and before nearly getting eaten by wild boar (and eventually laughing about it), we found the most gorgeous ridge to sit on.

It was stunning, quiet and perfect. It was silent and surreal.

I stared at the sea, breathed in the air, and recharged with the wind.

Laura took pictures. Of the mountains, of the flowers, of me recharging. Her language — of giving, of appreciating, of sharing, of love — is through her lens.

Those trips, of which I am blessed to have had many, were filled with long talks about life, work, being Jewish, being Israeli, being mothers, wives, friends, and daughters — and so. many. photos.

As Laura grew in her photography, I grew in being a photographer’s BFF — which meant not only posing and making stupid faces while she got the right light, but also finding and pointing out a scene, a moment, or a unique juxtaposition that I knew she could capture as no one else could. 

I anchored her as she teetered over edges or stretched her arms to capacity, spotted her as she climbed limbs, rocks, and ladders to get the perfect shot. And I snapped pics of her doing it.

I learned about reflections, wide vs. close lenses, backdrops and foregrounds, and those cool little balls that turn things upside down.

We took every opportunity, overturned every stone, sipped every drink, climbed every mountain, chased every sunset, and felt every feel. We spoke of love and life and faith and rage, of pain and joy and justice and forgiveness, of love and hope and despair and peace.

And all the while, we captured moments.

Somewhere in all of this, Laura became my person. She helps me with dilemmas, hard decisions, campaigns, strategy, personnel issues, what to write about, and what not to respond to. When I co-founded Chochmat Nashim, she became my first board member. Because her passion for photography is only outmatched by her love for the Jewish people and making things better.

I can honestly tell you that just as I would not be who I am without her, Chochmat Nashim, would not be what it is, would not have the impact that it does, without her.

Because Laura’s lens is not only through the camera. She sees things clearly and with so much generosity. She has, over the years, changed my own lens.

When I was asked to create a photo bank of Jewish women, girls, and families, I turned to Laura. I told her that people had requested a photo bank, where the erased Jewish women could be found. I was willing to do it, but I needed it to rely heavily on volunteers (photographers and models) because, while lots of people want things in life, few are willing or able to pay for them.

Laura didn’t hesitate. Just as she does when I say I need a day up north, she said, “I’m in. Let’s do it.” And that’s all I needed to hear.

We had naysayers, and I almost cancelled the whole thing, but Laura was insistent that it was something she wanted to do, that it was an honor to document the Jewish people and she gave me the permission and strength to do it, to let people give in the ways that they can and want to — and she is the reason we have over 2,000 images in the Jewish Life Photo Bank — used by international media outlets to represent Orthodox Jewish life (including, on occasion, The Times of Israel).

Together, we flew to London to fight for agunot and capture images of happy couples and good friends.

We flew to Paris to honor single mothers, Chabad families, and women reading Megillat Esther.

We went to Jerusalem to show the diversity of Am Yisrael.

And to the Knesset to fight against women’s erasure.

We went to New York, where Laura even got her family and her husband’s family to be in the photobank.

Laura adapted from landscape and event photography to stock photos. With every photoshoot, she became even more incredible at capturing the essence of a relationship or a moment.

Laura’s passion for life, for adventure, for family, for friends, for fun, for justice, for beauty, for the Jewish people is unparalleled. 

Her gift to the world is the land and people of Israel through her lens, and it is, in a word: magnificent. 

Laura, thank you for sharing your lens with us. Thank you for expanding mine.

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It is my honor to announce that the Jewish Life Photo Bank will from now on be known as The Laura Ben David Jewish Life Photo Bank and that every share of the stunning Jewish Life depicted in the images will be in her name. To support this work in honor of Laura, please click here. 

I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to honor the love you have for the Jewish people.

Your love is your legacy. Thank you gifting me a small part in it. I love you beyond all worlds.

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For those who want more of Laura’s photographs and more of her story, read here, in her own words.