“Wow, now this is very cool”

These were the first words that jumped out when we stepped on board KING BENJI for the shoot back in December 2023.

Shooting in Istanbul in late December is not without its obvious risks, as was the time we had - two days - but with only one evening. So, we had to plan the shoot very carefully. This is why a full recce day was a major part of the shoots success, especially after we saw what we had to shoot :)

The design, inside and out, had our senses in overload because nearly everything was different to all the other yachts we had shot.

When you step onboard you are immediately greeted by the unique mix of bamboo, wooden floors, natural textures, and colourful wall coverings. The styling and details constantly change throughout. This was clearly a yacht where we needed to shoot every space with extra care and attention.

Luckily, we were helped by the huge windows that fill the interiors with plenty of light.

Once you get over the impact of the interior design you quickly come to realise the layout of this yacht is also unique. So, we also needed to think how best to capture and show the flow of the yacht more than most other yachts.

From the exterior your eyes are naturally drawn to the large aft deck but to us one of the best areas is inside. The galley has been brought up from a more traditional lower deck spot and placed smack bang into a guest eating area creating a truly unique and relaxed space. For us landlubbers we finally found a yacht that reflected how we live :). This area really deserved to be shown off well via both photo and video.

Another nice touch is a discreet feature that allows those lucky enough to be staying in the full beam owner’s suite, to exit either side on to their own deck area in complete privacy.

Oh, and if you ever get a chance to be onboard you have to check out the crows nest. Not just a poky space for two but a full relaxing area for you and all your mates to enjoy uninterrupted views while cruising. Yet another great new feature to shoot.

Having spent many days and nights onboard hundreds of yachts, it’s clear Dunya Yachts have nailed the build quality of KING BENJI as every element does justice to the designers creativity and the vision of the owner.

Enjoy the results.

Photos: Full Selection

Film: Full Highlights

Builder: Dunya Yachts

Exterior Designer: Gregory C Marshall Naval Architect Ltd

Interior Designer: Design Unlimited