In case you missed it, Ebony Magazine has published their "2009 Campus Queens" feature online.  The printed version is usually published in April.  However, they decided to take it online this year.  This gave the magazine the opportunity to showcase the Queens more equally, while also (I imagine) saving on printing costs.  Checkout Miss Hampton University 2008-2009, Shannon Cooper, and other campus queens at EbonyJet.com.  One image from her portrait session was posted along with a brief bio.

The June 2009 issue of Black Enterprise Magazine features several top U.S.  companies, and their supplier diversity strategies.  Altria is one of those featured companies, where Connie Smith is the director of Supplier Diversity Development.  I photographed Connie a while back, creating a variety of headshots to be used for publicity purposes.  Well, one of those publicity opportunities landed her photo in the pages of Black Enterprise Magazine.  Connie’s photo is published on page 152 (left), as part of the article “Supplier Diversity—a Winning Strategy in Tough Times”.  Some other companies in the article include Coca-Cola, Macy’s, Denny’s, The Home Depot, Kellogg, and Allstate.  Thanks to Connie and all the other supplier diversity managers for your continued efforts.

Check out the April 2009 issue of Black Enterprise Magazine.  An image from my portrait session with Natalynn was published as part 3 of the “Women & Money” article series.  The article begins on page 66, with the photo of Natalynn and her husband Dan appearing on page 70.  Photo credit was incorrectly given to another photographer for this image, and should read “Photograph by Benson Blake” at the bottom of page 70.  Black Enterprise Magazine is available at most Barnes & Noble and Walmart stores.

On February 7th, I traveled to Chesterfield, Virginia to photograph business-woman Natalynn Roman.  She's the president of the Strategic Leadership Development Group in Virginia, a company that provides leadership and organizational consulting services to a variety of clients.

Natalynn will be featured in the April 2009 issue of Black Enterprise Magazine, as Part 3 of a three-part "Women & Money" series.  Natalynn and her husband were both photographed together for the magazine, as well as individual headshots.  Here are a some portraits of the couple that were created that beautiful day in Chesterfield.

Congratulations to Shannon Cooper, Miss Hampton University 2008-2009.  She was crowned on October 11, 2008 and will serve as an ambassador for the University for the current academic year.  The day after the pageant, we held a portrait session in Hampton to capture some promotional images.  The 2009 “Black College Queens” issue of Ebony Magazine will feature a photo from this session.  Good luck to Shannon, as she will compete for the title of Miss Virginia in the Spring 2009 pageant.

Earlier this year, I photographed gospel artist Naomi K. Thomas for her debut CD project.  Her live CD is now available, and features some images from the session.  Portraits by Benson Blake Photography are also used throughout her new website www.naomikthomas.com. Naomi’s CD “Best Offering” is available online at CD Baby and iTunes.

www.naomikthomas.com

For the months of August & September 2008, one of my photographs will be displayed on a billboard.  In July, I photographed Dr. James M. Russell III and Dr. M. Patrick McCormick, the 2007 and 2008 recipients of the Virginia Outstanding Scientist award.  They both work at Hampton University, and the university decided to showcase their accomplishments in the form of a larger-than-life billboard.  Look for it in Hampton VA along interstate 64 West near Hampton University. Thanks to Greg for pulling over and capturing the image below.

The August 2008 issue of Black Enterprise Magazine features the article ‘Finding Solid Ground’, about investing in today’s real estate market.  In the article, written by Kemba J. Dunham, an example is given by the Hopkins family who has found investment opportunities in Virginia.  In June, I had the pleasure of photographing the family of four at their home in Triangle VA.  The photograph has been published as part of the article’s opening spread on page 80.  Radio personalities Steve Harvey and Tom Joyner are pictured on the cover.  Black Enterprise Magazine is available at most Barnes & Noble and Walmart stores.