The ever evolving Mr. Blanks: A Q&A with celebrity photographer Derek Blanks

                    Photographer Derek Blanks                 

Celebrity photographer, Derek Blanks, began his career as an illustrator. Graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Maryland Institute of College of Art in Baltimore, he has studied almost every form of the discipline. His extensive knowledge of art afforded him a slew of options, which he  freely explored. The talented Blanks changed lanes to shoot photos beginning with  the hip-hop industry titans that put Atlanta at the top of the urban places to be map.

Once established, Blanks took his creativity up a notch with the Alter-Ego series, a collection of off color photographs that captured celebrities as the world sees them and as they see themselves. Personalities included Taraji P. Henson, Angela Bassett, NeNe Leakes, Snoop Dogg, Musiq Souldchild, Akon, Chaka Khan, Eva Marcille, La La Vasquez, Janelle Monae, Keisha Cole, and more. Blanks’ thought provoking work transported him from behind the lens to the director’s chair, working on music video such as Ledisi’s “I Blame You”, Chrisette Michelle’s “ Charades” and now Faith Evans’ latest single “Fragile”. The Jackson, Mississippi born southerner turned photographer to the stars could write a book on transformations for the visually inspired.

 

PW: Who has been your favorite subjects to shoot?

DB: Hands down it was Chaka Khan!! I shot her several times and her energy is untouched. She’s a ball of energy the set actually caught on fire from the light while we were shooting. She said “I guess I’m too hot!” I also liked shooting Patti Labelle. They are the women the Beyonces look up to. They paved the way for Rihanna and Beyonce.

PW: What inspires you?

DB: I am really inspired by anything visually, it could be a commercial, billboard or water dripping from a faucet. I am inspired by pop culture and life in general.

PW: Who is on your wish list to shoot?

DB:  I shot Beyonce before, but I would love to have the one on one intimate time with her. But if it has to be someone I have never shot before it would be Kerry Washington. She is definitely on my wish list.

PW:  Who was your most memorable shoot with?

DB: Viola Davis. She was very humble. She is in the most absolute best shape ever. She was very easy to work with.

              Singer Dondria for the Alter Ego series                 

PW: Tell me about the Faith Evans Project ?

DB: I just finished with Faith Evans. The new video is called “Fragile” starring Pooch Hall. She samples “California Dreaming,” but flipped it completely. We shot it in Savannah, GA

PW: What are some of your other upcoming projects?

DB: I may be working on a project with Lyfe Jennings and maybe Anthony Hamilton.

PW: Well I hope they turn out well. What  types of artwork do you admire?

DB: As an artist my work is driven by  Renaissance art. Johannes Vermeer is my favorite artist and my work mimics his drama and composition.

PW: What is was your major in college?

DB: My background is in illustration I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Maryland Institute College of Art, but I studied everything.

PW: What do you hope your career will evolve into next?

DB:  I want to be a one stop shop visually. Hopefully, I’ll be directing movies.

PW: What do you want people to know about you?

DB: It’s an assumption I only shoot celebrities,  but is shoot everyday people all the time