Derek Blanks – Flai-Photographer & Fly-Daddy!
Remember the name, Derek Blanks. He’s gifted and talented and on the move from Atlanta to Los Angeles to New York. He’s a perfectionist. When you see his work, you’ll recognize and remember it. He’s also a new dad creating new ways to balance and integrate life with his wife and new son into his photo art.
His recent alter-ego shoot on The Real Housewives of Atlanta provided an opportunity for a broader audience to view his work.
Interview with Flaimahmy, November 22, 2009
FM: What was the earliest thought that you remember having about photography?
DB: It would probably be in third grade when I was introduced to photography in a magnet art school where we learned print-making, photography and sculpture. I thought it was pretty cool just to be able to create an image instantly like that and then tell a story or create a mood even within that fraction of a second and be able to control my lighting situation and tell the story with the mood, the wardrobe and the models at that time.
FM: At that time, whose work were you most attracted to?
DB: I didn’t really become heavily influenced by photography until later in life. More than anything I think then and even now the artist Vermeer inspires my work. His lighting is just crazy and dramatic and beautiful all at the same time. A lot of times my lighting is dramatic and I sometimes think that’s why people think it’s all in my post-production because of how I light my sets and the subjects. So, I would say I was most inspired by the artist Vermeer. Now I am inspired by David LaChapelle for his colors, his clarity and his symbolism.
FM: Were you only interested in photography or were there other areas of art that attracted you?
DB: My primary interest was painting and it kind of shifted later in life after college. I still love painting but I just don’t have time to do it because my photography career has grown. I went to school as an illustrator and fine artist and took photography classes as minors.
FM: When you are critiquing your work what do you look for?
DB: I look for clarity; I want to make sure the concept is clear, that it comes across without having to ponder on it for a minute or so. I look for colors, lightning, the mood. I make sure the mood evokes the piece as well. I look for something that is visually stimulating.
FM: Would you consider yourself a perfectionist?
DB: Yes, I do. I do consider myself to be a perfectionist. Even with painting, I’ve always painted realism really strictly. I wanted to get my paintings to look like photographs and now I find that I’m trying to make my photographs look believable and convincing because they are digitally altered.
FM: So, when you’re doing a shoot are there moments when you know you’ve just nailed it before seeing the finished product?
DB: Yes, usually. I keep working with the lighting and the subject until I’m completely satisfied with the outcome so I usually know right after that if I’ve got it or not or when I have it. That’s one reason I don’t shoot really slow because I know right off the bat.
FM: Many remember your recent work on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, the alter-ego shoots. Are you more interested in the artistic parts of photography or the technical?
DB: I would say both. I think my work is more technical than anything. I’m not technical but my work is. I think I like to make sure that my light and my darkness are correctly exposed, not too washed out but still with shadow detail. But, when executing I may do it any kind of way. I may rig it up to make it work. In the end process, I want to make sure that those foundation elements are still present in my work.
FM: I’ve read that Ciara and Akon are two of your celebrity favorites. Can you tell us why?
DB: Laughter…I don’t know where you read that…Laughter. I love Ciara because she is willing to try anything, she’s a dancer; she knows how to move. As far as Akon I think he’s interesting but I wouldn’t consider him my favorite only because I haven’t worked with him on a set where I could really, truly be creative and get that across. Jennifer Hudson would probably be one of my favorites because she pretty much lets me do whatever I choose and she takes whatever I say into consideration and she usually does it. I find myself everytime I shoot someone trying to push myself even harder to do something different or more creative. That’s my main goal.
FM: Who are some people that you would love to photograph?
DB: Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Angelina Jolie, The Obamas.
FM: You have a young son who just turned one. Has he influenced the way you approach your craft?
DB: He hasn’t yet. I’m sure once he can talk he will influence the way I approach my craft. But, not quite yet. I think I’ve always tried to find the best in the subject so that really hasn’t changed. I just try to get the best out of the subject and show them in the best light and show the best side of people. He hasn’t quite yet, however, I do see positive things in my son, of course, and I try to find the positive in people too.
FM: Being a new dad what are some of the things you’ve learned that you never knew before you had a child?
DB: That you need to get your rest while you can…Laughter…I mean I do realize that family is important. I realize more than anything that I have to learn how to prioritize amd make sure that my family is not neglected and that I’m there for them. Most importantly that would probably be it.
FM: What’s your favorite thing about being a dad?
DB: I think my favorite thing about being a dad is probably seeing myself through him…the character traits of him that remind me of me. Also being loved by him unconditionally and seeing how excited he is when I get home and he sees my face. And when we’re with people how he would prefer to be with me or his mom.
FM: What’s your least favorite thing about being a dad?
DB: Not being able to go as I please or do as I please without taking consideration that I need to be there for him or make sure that he’s cared for. Beforehand, even though I was married I could do a lot more as far as say, “I think I want to go out.” Now I have to take into consideration that if my wife’s not available then I need to be there for him.
FM: What’s your idea of a most relaxing day?
DB: Spending it with the family with no editing or no photo shoots to do. Just kind of enjoying family time and just relaxing, maybe going out to eat, coming back home and watching a movie.
FM: Derek, we consider you to be a Fly Daddy, of course. What do you think makes you a Fly Daddy?
DB: I think I am a Fly Daddy because I’m doing my thing as far as my career goes. I’m not compromising my family; I’m being a provider for them and I’m staying “fly” while doing it.
FM: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
DB: Yes, I would say just continue to look for me, to check for me and once my new project comes out please go out and support it; make sure you buy the book.
