Sioux Falls’ Byron Banasiak is behind some of the most inspirational images and films of South Dakota. The travel photographer and documentary filmmaker uses his talents as part of the South Dakota Department of Tourism team showing the rest of the world the people and places of our state.
“I want people to be surprised when they see the photos and videos and ask themselves, ‘Is that really in South Dakota?’ And for people who are from South Dakota, I want them to see them and feel proud to live here,” he said.
Banasiak spends almost 40% of the year on the road getting to know people in each town and capturing its essence.
“The more I travel around the state, the more I fall in love with it. And I love growing the community’s in Sioux Falls,” he said. “There was a time in my life where I used to hate on South Dakota. My entire perspective has changed. I enjoy being a cheerleader for the state, and can’t wait to keep surprising outsiders.”
Get to know the chief photographer and cinematographer.
1. When did you become passionate about photography & cinematography?
I first got really passionate about cinematography in college. I made a viral party video, and that opened my eyes to that idea that I could actually make a living doing it. I committed and spent nearly three years traveling around the world. During the trip, I got really into street photography. I fell in love with photography on that first trip, and now it’s a constant balance between the two. My favorite thing about all of it is telling stories.
2. What are some of your favorite spots to hang out in South Dakota?
I love camping out near Spearfish. There’s a creek that runs through the town, and it’s a perfect spot for a cold bath in the morning. I do love Wall Drug. My family homesteaded there. Every time I drive through, I grab a Maple Donut for the road.
3. What South Dakota event is a highlight for you to capture?
I love photographing the Buffalo Roundup [& Arts Festival]. The first year I had the opportunity to photograph it, I was riding an adrenaline high for the rest of the day. I got to ride in the back of a pickup truck and basically ride with the stampede across Custer State Park. I’ll remember that for the rest of my life.
4. What are some of your favorite places to eat in the state, & what’s your go-to item?
I’ll break this down into breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is M.B. Haskett Delicatessen in Sioux Falls. I get the American so often there that they don’t even need to ask anymore. Lunch would be Black Hills Burger and Bun Co. in Custer. Any burger is going to blow your mind. Just be sure to get the sweet potato waffle fries with maple aioli. And dinner would be Skogen Kitchen in Custer. Their menu changes pretty often, so I go with whatever they recommend.
5. What’s a highlight of your career?
The second month of working at Tourism, I got to go on a weeklong TV shoot for a show called Epic Trails. We hiked the Centennial Trail, cliff jumped into Sheridan Lake and rode hot air balloons into a farmer’s field where we drank mimosas with them at 6 a.m. We rock climbed, camped, hiked the Badlands during a storm. It was maybe the best week of my life. And I got to photograph it all for work. It changed my perspective on our state.
