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Ebony Queens Online ‘09

Benson Blake Photography — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:07:05 +0000

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.

Supplier Diversity in BE

Benson Blake Photography — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:04:40 +0000

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.

Natalynn & Dan Published

Benson Blake Photography — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:53:15 +0000

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.

Natalynn & Dan’s Portraits

Benson Blake Photography — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:49:11 +0000

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.

Miss Hampton Portraits ‘08

Benson Blake Photography — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:39:50 +0000

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.

Naomi’s “Best Offering”

Benson Blake Photography — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:08:42 +0000

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

Billboard on I-64

Benson Blake Photography — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:58:50 +0000

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.

Hopkins Family in BE

Benson Blake Photography — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:10:38 +0000

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.

VA Outstanding Scientists

Benson Blake Photography — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:45:19 +0000

Congratulations to Dr. James M. Russell III, recipient of the 2008 Virginia Outstanding Scientist award. On last week, I photographed Russell and the 2007 award winner, Dr. M. Patrick McCormick, on the campus of Hampton University. Images were created of them in front of Ogden Hall, the Administration Building (pictured below), and other areas of the campus. Thanks to Yuri and her staff for coordinating this session.

One or two images from the session will be part of a billboard display along interstate 64 in Hampton VA. Look for the super-sized image during August and September 2008.

Dr. James M. Russell III (left) and Dr. M. Patrick McCormick (right),
winners of the 2008 and 2007 Virginia Outstanding Scientist Award

Gardner Photo in JET

Benson Blake Photography — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:05:14 +0000

My work has been published in the June 30, 2008 issue of JET Magazine. One section features several of this year’s commencement speeches by prominent African-Americans. Among them are Christopher Gardner, who was the speaker at Hampton University’s 2008 Commencement Exercises. You can check out his photo on page 19, along with a quote from his speech. Commencement quotes from Barack Obama, Maxine Waters, Tom Joyner and others were also featured.

The Hopkins Family

Benson Blake Photography — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:18:33 +0000

I was recently commissioned to photograph the Hopkins family in Triangle VA. One or two images from their session will be published in the August 2008 issue of Black Enterprise Magazine. The family will be featured in a real estate article, about successfully investing in the current housing market. Here are a couple of images from our session.

IAM Magazine Cover

Benson Blake Photography — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:48:21 +0000

For the Spring 2008 issue of gospel’s IAM Magazine, two of my photos from this year’s Stellar Awards are on the cover. There’s also a two-page spread inside (pages 34-35), featuring some of my images from backstage at the awards show in Nashville. Thanks to Val and Jerry for selecting my images to be published! You can check out this issue online here. For more info about IAM Magazine, visit their website at www.iammag.com.

Top Doc Published

Benson Blake Photography — Sat, 03 May 2008 01:35:30 +0000

I’ve been published in the May 2008 issue of Black Enterprise Magazine! This edition features “America’s Leading Doctors”, representing a variety of specialties. I had the opportunity of photographing one of them, an orthopedic surgeon, at UVA earlier in the year. Dr. Laurencin’s photo and article is presented on page 108. Black Enterprise Magazine is available at most Barnes & Noble and Walmart stores.

Top Doc Portrait Session

Benson Blake Photography — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:11:14 +0000

Why am I wearing scrubs? Well… On March 11th, I made a trip to Charlottesville VA to photograph one of the country’s top doctors, Dr. Laurencin. The session took place at the University of Virginia Medical Center, where he works. One of the images will be published in the May 2008 “Top Doctors” issue of Black Enterprise Magazine. A few images were created in an operating room, and other areas of the hospital. Thanks to Paul for hanging in there, assisting me throughout the session. I can’t post those images here, so here I am instead… :o)

Ebony Mag. Queens 2008

Benson Blake Photography — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:53:16 +0000

It’s an honor to once again be published in Ebony Magazine! The April 2008 issue features college queens from Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). Among them are Javicia Walker, Miss Hampton University 2007-2008. One of the images from our portrait session a few months ago has been used for this annual issue. Janet Jackson is on the cover, with Javicia’s photo on page 134.

LaToya & David in BE

Benson Blake Photography — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:47:38 +0000

One of my photographs has been published in the February 2008 issue of Black Enterprise Magazine! The photo is of LaToya & David, who are winners of one of the magazine’s financial fitness challenges. Check out the full-page photo and article on page 80 of this month’s issue. Black Enterprise Magazine is available at most Barnes & Noble and Walmart stores.

LaToya & David

Benson Blake Photography — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:12:43 +0000

Congratulations to LaToya & David! They are the winners of Black Enterprise Magazine’s latest Financial Fitness Challenge. I was asked earlier this month to photograph them at their home in Hampton VA. One or two images from their session will be featured with an article in the February 2008 issue of Black Enterprise Magazine.

Miss Hampton Portraits ‘07

Benson Blake Photography — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:52:23 +0000

I recently had the pleasure of photographing Javicia, the newly crowned 2007-2008 Miss Hampton University. One photo from her session will be published in the April 2008 “Black College Queens” issue of Ebony Magazine, as well as official Hampton University publications.