Benson's Blog

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.

Drama Kids Performances

Benson Blake Photography — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:45:45 +0000

During the last couple of weekends, Drama Kids International hosted their spring performances in northern VA. The plays were held at Stonewall Middle School in Manassas VA and Walker-Grant Middle School in Fredericksburg VA. The Drama Kids program teaches acting and public speaking skills to students 3-18. Some students may choose to pursue acting as a career, while others will use these new skills at school or work.

After 9 weeks of after-school rehearsals, it was time to perform for their families and friends. The younger kids (5-8) performed the play “Paradesia”, which answers the question “Can shells talk?”. The 9-11 year olds performed as pirates in the play “Bold Buccaneers”. The older students (12-18) performed a play about a dress rehearsal gone wrong.

Thanks to Angela, Silver Sound, all the volunteers, and parents for the work you do with Drama Kids. It was amazing to see the choreography and hear the lines that these students learned… the teachers did a GREAT job. It’s good to see these students being introduced to the arts at an early age. Here are some photos from the May 9th and 16th performances.

Tea Rose Cotillion 2009

Benson Blake Photography — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:42:29 +0000

The Ivy Foundation’s Tea Rose Cotillion was a success! The event took place on May 3rd at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda. Thanks to all of the committee members and parents for all you’ve done to help this year’s event run smoothly. This year’s theme was “Presenting Our Pearls: The Next Generation of Hope”.

The cotillion began with introductions of the debutantes and younger Rose Petals. The young ladies Waltzed with their fathers, then did the Tango and Grand Promenade with their escorts. Several awards were presented, including best scrapbook, highest GPA, and debutante spirit. At the end, one debutante was crowned… Congratulations to LaShae, Miss Tea Rose 2009! Thanks to Precious of Precious Perspectives Photography for assisting with candid photography. Also, thanks to the string quartet for providing music for the guests throughout the evening.

Debutantes at THEARC

Benson Blake Photography — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:01:47 +0000

I was recently commissioned to photograph 8 young ladies who will be participating in the Tea Rose Cotillion this month, in the DC area. The session was held at the THEARC Campus of the Washington Middle School for Girls in DC. Several portraits were created of each debutante, showing their formal dresses and some personality. The images will be used as a part of the printed program for the upcoming cotillion event. Thanks to the Xi Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) Inc.’s Ivy Foundation for sponsoring this occasion. I’m sure the debutantes will remember this experience for years to come.

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.

Photoshop World Boston

Benson Blake Photography — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:08:03 +0000

During the week of March 23rd, I had the opportunity to travel to Boston, Massachusetts for the annual Photoshop World Conference. The event took place at the Hynes Convention Center and included a ton of seminars dedicated to Photoshop, Adobe’s premier image-editing software. Seminars included a range of topics from how to best organize image libraries, to creating better image composites. Here are some sights from the conference and the city of Boston.

Cherry Blossoms in DC

Benson Blake Photography — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:28:43 +0000

Sunday, I took some time out to visit the cherry blossoms at the tidal basin in Washington DC. This was my first time seeing them (that I can remember) in more than 10 years. Even though all the trees were not yet in full bloom, I was able to find enough that were camera-ready. There are just a few more days left to catch the pink blossoms at their peak. The National Cherry Blossom Festival began on March 28th and will continue until April 12, 2009. Here are some images I created of the cherry trees, in color and infrared (black & white).

Earl’s Birthday Concert ‘09

Benson Blake Photography — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:57:23 +0000

Last month, Earl Bynum celebrated his birthday in the form of a gospel music event. The concert was held at Mt. Lebanon (The Mount) in Chesapeake VA, where Earl is the minister of music. Ju Joyner, Sheliah Belle, and Brother Ray co-hosted throughout the evening. Gospel artists & groups included TaMyya J, Virginia Mass Choir, God’s Image, Naomi K. Thomas, Donald Ashley & Millennium, Antuan Barnes & Absolute Worship, As We Are, God’s Purpose, Vision, and Elevation… whew! BET’s Sunday Best Winner, Crystal Aikin, also blessed the audience with a couple of selections. Here are some moments from on and off the stage.

VPPA Convention 2009

Benson Blake Photography — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 01:15:34 +0000

During the week of February 23rd, The Virginia Professional Photographers Association (VPPA) held its annual convention in Portsmouth, VA. Members from throughout the state came together to perfect their craft and share the latest tips and techniques in the industry. A number of photographers conducted seminars, such as Louis & Joseph Simone, Janel Pahl, Shannon Turner, and John Woodward. The annual print & album competition was a success, with more than 400 images entered from photographers state-wide. All of the blue and red ribbon prints were proudly displayed for a couple of days at the Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel. Although I did not enter this year, I’m looking forward to next year’s convention in Richmond VA.

Natalynn’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.

Inauguration Day 2009

Benson Blake Photography — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 06:43:49 +0000

On January 20th, I had the opportunity to be among the millions of people gathered on the National Mall for the swearing in ceremony of our 44th U.S. President, Barack Obama. My journey began at 4am on the way to the Metro station, and included hours of waiting in lines for the 11:30am inauguration. At the end of the day, it was ALL worth it.

During the ceremony, I was standing in the section directly behind the seats. I must say, after being a part of the crowd and witnessing the emotion that day, I will never look at those DC monuments and Capitol building the same again.

The crowd was about four or five times larger than at the Lincoln Memorial concert two days earlier. Here are some images from Inauguration day in DC.

Waiting in line before sunrise.

Security, and the back of the line for my gate.

The view from where I stood

Another view from the same place, zoomed in.

The moment of the day

People taking photos with the presidential seal

I was there!

Colin Powell waving to the crowd, while waiting to do a TV interview

The view of the Mall from the Capitol

The beginning of the parade route, view from the Capitol

People were walking on the frozen reflecting pool, some more nervous than others.

Kodak moments everywhere…

Even police officers couldn’t resist.

Lots of interesting signs being displayed

Steady stream of people exiting the subway station, just after sunset.

Inaugural Welcome Event

Benson Blake Photography — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 03:57:35 +0000

On Sunday afternoon, the city of Washington DC hosted an opening ceremony on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, to kick-off the 2009 Inaugural festivities. The star-studded event included performances by Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Herbie Hancock, John Legend, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder to name a few. Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington also made special appearances during the program. Barack Obama addressed the crowd with a speech near the end of the program. Here are some images I captured at the event.

Metro… The best way to get to the monuments.

The line

Overflow crowd viewing one of the many jumbotrons

Martin Luther King III speaking at the Lincoln Memorial

Mary J. Blige performing

Joe Biden speaking at the Lincoln Memorial

Obama Rally in Manassas

Benson Blake Photography — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:04:05 +0000

On November 3rd 2008, Senator Barack Obama made the last stop of his presidential campaign in Manassas, Virginia. The energetic rally took place at the Prince William County Fairgrounds, with an estimated 80,000+ people in attendance. Here are some photos I captured during the historic rally.

Governor Tim Kaine introducing Senator Obama, Mark Warner sharing the stage

Barack Obama speaking at the rally

Barack Obama, shortly after his speech

The stage view from where I stood

The crowd behind me

Obama takes one final look at the crowd before leaving

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.

Miss HU Pageant 2008

Benson Blake Photography — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:59:32 +0000

The Miss Hampton University Pageant took place on October 11th at Hampton University’s Ogden Hall. Fourteen contestants competed for the chance to be crowned the next University queen. The theme for the event was “An Evening With The Stars”. Thanks to Dr. Maye and Jerrica for organizing and producing such a great pageant!

Former Miss Hampton University 2001-2002, Tiffany Jenkins Leatherberry, was the honored guest for the pageant. Tiffany had the honor of asking the contestants their questions during the on-stage question segment. Congratulations to Shannon Cooper, Miss Hampton University 2008-2009!

The Toney Family

Benson Blake Photography — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:12:07 +0000

On October 4th, I created portraits of the Toney family at their beautiful home in Haymarket, VA. The family dog, Nikki, stepped in occasionally for her cameo appearance throughout the morning. Thanks to my assistant Precious of Precious Perspectives for helping out with the session!

The two boys, 10 months and 3 years, were all smiles (and silly) for the camera. Three years ago, I photographed their youngest son when he was just 8 months old. So, this was a great way to capture both children as infants. Here are a few of the images…

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

Seidah & John 8-8-08

Benson Blake Photography — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:28:47 +0000

Congratulations to newlyweds Seidah & John, who recently married in northern VA on 8-8-08. They enjoyed a private ceremony, then held a party on a later date for family and friends to join the celebration. I had the pleasure of creating casual portraits for their custom-printed invitations.

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 the 2007 and 2008 recipients of the Virginia Outstanding Scientist award. They both work at Hampton University, so the university has showcased 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.

We’re Moving…

Benson Blake Photography — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:25:40 +0000

During the month of August, Benson Blake Photography will be relocating to the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Because of new professional opportunities in the DC area, the move and the transition is a wise decision at this time. The website and BLOG will continue to grow, and will be updated regularly with new photographs from the nation’s capital. New contact information will be available via e-mail and bensonblake.com as soon as all details are finalized. Remember to periodically check out Benson’s Blog at for the latest updates.