Derek Blanks (born November 5, 1977) is an American photographer, illustrator, creative director, and producer.
Derek Blanks | |
|---|---|
| Born | Derek Blanks November 5, 1977 Jackson, Mississippi, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Photographer, illustrator, director, producer |
| Website | http://dblanks.com |
Early life and education
editDerek Blanks was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on November 5, 1977.[1] His father was a school teacher in Pearl, Mississippi.[1] He is the middle twin of three siblings.[2] Blanks attended Murrah High School in Jackson, Mississippi, and enrolled in APAC: The Academic and Performing Arts Complex, which exposed him to art at a young age.[1]
In 2000, Blanks graduated magna cum laude from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore, Maryland,[3] where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration. Upon graduation, he worked in commercial design, illustration and freelance photography through work with The Baltimore Sun newspaper, and illustrated the children's book Up in the Learning Tree, published by Lee & Low Books.[4]
Career
editBlanks went into lifestyle and fashion photography by developing a portfolio of work published by Essence magazine, BET Networks, Sony Music Entertainment, Reach Media Inc. and Ebony.
Alter-Ego photography series
editIn 2009, Blanks collaborated with NeNe Leakes by photographing the cast of Real Housewives of Atlanta for his Alter Ego portrait series.[5] Blanks photographed several more celebrities for the series including Chaka Khan, Taraji P. Henson, Blair Underwood, Snoop Dogg, Janelle Monáe, Rockmond Dunbar, Hill Harper, Faith Evans, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Brandy, Boris Kodjoe, Terrell Owens, Angela Bassett, Cover Girl, Nicole Ari Parker, Mike Epps, Eva Marcille, Akon, Cedric The Entertainer, Columbus Short, and more.[6][7]
Print and advertising
editIn October 2011, Blanks became a cover and features photographer for, Essence. His covers of Essence magazine include Wendy Williams: The Girl Friends Issue, Angela Bassett: Black Women in Hollywood 2011; features include 2011 Do Right Men featuring Amare Stoudemire, A Few Good Men: The Cast of Red Tails, Don Lemon: Transparent and Black Women in Hollywood 2011 featuring Viola Davis, Loretta Devine and Amber Riley of Glee. Blanks images have also graced the covers and pages of Billboard, Maxim, People, Ebony, Life & Style, PEOPLE en Espanol, Uptown, Jet, Modern Luxury, Runway, Upscale and other publications.
Blanks has photographed print and advertising campaigns for BET Networks including The Mo'Nique Show, The Game (Season 4 and 5), Let's Stay Together (Season 1 and 2), College Hill: Atlanta and Miami, Baldwin Hills, Reed Between The Lines, Toya: A Family Affair, Family Crews, Monica: Still Standing and Tiny and Toya. Additional print campaigns include WeTv's Braxton Family Values and Mary Mary.[8]
Directing
editIn late 2011, Blanks began transitioning into the world of video, with his directorial music video debut featuring America's Next Top Model contestant Dominique Reighard[9] and "Charades" by Chrisette Michele from Audrey Hepburn: An Audio Visual Presentation and "Party or Go Home" by Trina Braxton. In 2014, Blanks took on the role of music video directing for Faith Evans' single, "I Deserve It", featuring Missy Elliott and Sharaya J.[10]
Credits
edit- Albums and directing
- Faith Evans featuring Missy Elliott & Sharaya J – "I Deserve It" (directing role)[10]
- BeBe and CeCe Winans – "Still"
- Brandy Norwood – Baby Mama feat. Chance The Rapper; alongside Frank Gatson Jr.
- CeCe Winans – For Always: The Best of CeCe Winans
- CeCe Winans – Songs of Emotional Healing
- Ciara – Fantasy Ride
- Deitrick Haddon – Church on the Moon
- Dondria – Dondria vs. Phatfffat
- Donell Jones – "Lyrics"
- Faith Evans – Something About Faith
- Fantasia – Back to Me
- Juanita Bynum – The Diary of Juanita Bynum
- Kelly Price – Kelly
- Kelly Rowland – Here I Am
- Keyshia Cole – Woman to Woman
- Lalah Hathaway – Where It All Begins
- LaShun Pace – Reborn
- Ledisi – Pieces of Me
- Mary Mary – "Go Get It"
- Monica – New Life
- PJ Morton – "Walk Alone"
- Richard Smallwood – With Vision... Promises
- Ruben Studdard – Letters from Birmingham
- Sheri Jones-Moffett – "Renewed"
- SWV – I Missed Us
- T-Pain – Revolver
- Tamela Mann – The Master Plan
- Tedd Winn – Balance
- Magazine and reality television shoots
- Alter Ego Portrait Series[11]
- Real Housewives of Atlanta Alter Ego Portraits[12]
- The Insider Extreme Makeovers[13]
- Essence Magazine Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon[14]
- Melanie Fiona Alter Ego shoot[15]
- Michelle Williams Alter Ego shoot
- Amber Riley in Essence magazine[16]
References
edit- ^ a b c Wright, Lizzie (April 22, 2009). "Derek Blanks: Incorporating Richness". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ^ Wright, Lizzie (April 22, 2009). "[Dish] Derek Blanks: Incorporating Richness". USA: Jackson Free Press. Retrieved April 18, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Hasselblad Photographer Derek Blanks". USA: Hasselbladusa.com. February 3, 2008. Archived from the original on April 12, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- ^ "Up The Learning Tree". LeeandLow.com. USA: Lee & Low Books. 2006. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- ^ Office of Undergraduate Admissions (September 24, 2009). "Maryland Institute College of Art Careertrack" (PDF). USA: mica.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- ^ Ho, Rodney (September 24, 2009). "A Talk with Derek Blanks, Atlanta alter ego photographer for 'Real Housewives of Atlanta'". USA: AJC.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- ^ Atlantic Records (November 9, 2011). "Day26 Presents: The "Alter Ego" Photoshoot by Derek Blanks". USA: Atlantic Records. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- ^ Andrews, Jessica C. (April 11, 2011). "From Ebony to Jones Magazine: The Best of The Spring 2011 Issues". USA: Coco and Creme. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- ^ Martin, Lara (November 18, 2011). "'America's Next Top Model' Dominique Reighard on music, future: Q&A". USA: Digital Spy. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- ^ a b Pearson, Joi (August 8, 2014). "Faith Evans' 'I Deserve' BTS Atlanta video shoot". rollingout.com. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
- ^ DBlanks (2009). "Portfolio: Alter Ego". USA: Dblanks.com. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- ^ Bravo (2009). "Alter Egos Revealed". USA: Bravotv.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- ^ Insider (September 29, 2011). "Kevin & Brooke channel Lady Gaga and Kanye". USA: Insider.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- ^ "ESSENCE 'Black Women in Hollywood' Photo Booth". USA: Essence.com. 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- ^ Sangweni, Yolanda (2009). "Exclusive: Melanie Fiona on 'Every Woman' Campaign". USA: Essence.com. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- ^ Busis, Hillary (February 3, 2011). "'Glee' diva Amber Riley channels Chaka Khan in this month's 'Essence'". USA: Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
External links
edit- Video: Derek Blanks: Master of the Camera from 2018, by VOA News