Derek Blanks Explained

Derek Blanks
Birth Name:Derek Blanks
Birth Date:5 November 1977
Birth Place:Jackson, Mississippi, United States
Occupation:Photographer, illustrator, director, producer
Website:http://dblanks.com

Derek Blanks (born November 5, 1977) is an American photographer, illustrator, creative director, and producer.

Early life and education

Derek Blanks was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on November 5, 1977.[1] His father was a school teacher in Pearl, Mississippi. 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.

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

Blanks 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

In 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

In 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

In 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

Albums and directing
Magazine and reality television shoots

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Derek Blanks: Incorporating Richness. Wright. Lizzie. April 22, 2009. Jackson Free Press. en. January 3, 2019.
  2. News: [Dish] Derek Blanks: Incorporating Richness]. Lizzie . Wright. Jackson Free Press. April 22, 2009. April 18, 2012. USA.
  3. News: Hasselblad Photographer Derek Blanks. Hasselbladusa.com. February 3, 2008. April 18, 2012. USA. https://web.archive.org/web/20120412233542/http://www.hasselbladusa.com/user-showcase/derek-blanks.aspx. April 12, 2012. dead.
  4. News: Up The Learning Tree. Lee & Low Books. April 18, 2012. LeeandLow.com. 2006. USA.
  5. News: Maryland Institute College of Art Careertrack. Office of Undergraduate Admissions. mica.edu. September 24, 2009. April 18, 2012. USA. https://web.archive.org/web/20120530031435/http://www.mica.edu/Documents/Career%20Services/CareerTracks/Media%20Arts.pdf. May 30, 2012. dead.
  6. News: A Talk with Derek Blanks, Atlanta alter ego photographer for 'Real Housewives of Atlanta'. Rodney . Ho. AJC.com. September 24, 2009. April 18, 2012. USA. https://web.archive.org/web/20120117053438/http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/2009/09/24/a-talk-with-derek-blank-atlanta-alter-ego-photographer-for-real-housewives-of-atlanta/. January 17, 2012. dead.
  7. News: Day26 Presents: The "Alter Ego" Photoshoot by Derek Blanks. Atlantic Records. Atlantic Records. November 9, 2011. April 18, 2012. USA. https://archive.today/20120707151143/http://atlanticrecords.com/news/day26-presents-the-alter-ego-photoshoot-by-derek-blanks/. July 7, 2012. dead.
  8. News: From Ebony to Jones Magazine: The Best of The Spring 2011 Issues. Jessica C. . Andrews. Coco and Creme. April 11, 2011. April 18, 2012 . USA.
  9. News: 'America's Next Top Model' Dominique Reighard on music, future: Q&A. Lara . Martin. Digital Spy. November 18, 2011. April 18, 2012 . USA.
  10. Web site: Pearson. Joi. Faith Evans' 'I Deserve' BTS Atlanta video shoot. rollingout.com. August 8, 2014. August 31, 2014.
  11. News: Portfolio: Alter Ego. DBlanks. Dblanks.com. 2009. April 18, 2012 . USA.
  12. News: Alter Egos Revealed. Bravo. Bravotv.com. 2009. April 18, 2012. USA. https://web.archive.org/web/20110907140137/http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-atlanta/alter-egos-revealed#image-45785. September 7, 2011. dead.
  13. News: Kevin & Brooke channel Lady Gaga and Kanye . Insider . Insider.com . September 29, 2011 . April 18, 2012 . USA . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111012013722/http://www.theinsider.com/thelook/44653_Kevin_Brooke_Channel_Kanye_Lady_Gaga/index.html . October 12, 2011 .
  14. News: ESSENCE 'Black Women in Hollywood' Photo Booth. Essence.com. 2009. April 18, 2012 . USA.
  15. News: Exclusive: Melanie Fiona on 'Every Woman' Campaign. Yolanda . Sangweni. Essence.com. 2009. April 18, 2012 . USA.
  16. News: 'Glee' diva Amber Riley channels Chaka Khan in this month's 'Essence'. Hillary . Busis. Entertainment Weekly. February 3, 2011. April 18, 2012 . USA.