Today we’d like to introduce you to Blake Ballard.
Hi Blake, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started modeling around the age of 23 after I graduated from The University of Dallas. I have my BA in Economics with a double minor in Studio Art and Drama, so I knew I wanted a job where I would be able to travel and get to be more creative. After about a year of modeling and being on so many sets, I knew I wanted to be more involved in the world of fashion and photography. I started taking photos of my sister who was also a model at the time and then began testing with models from local agencies in Atlanta. As I grew with my photography over the years, I then began traveling and working with models in New York, Chicago, LA, Dallas, Miami and London. I primarily focused on editorial work for a variety of different publications to really push myself creatively. I’m now represented by Good Talent Management and run my own publication called Narrative Magazine.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life is full of ups and downs and when you go out and choose a career in the arts, you have to be prepared for a lot of peaks and valleys along the way. Going from modeling to photography presented some challenges in the beginning because it was hard being taken seriously among a lot of my peers. It took years to gain respect in the industry as well since I was only 24 when I first started shooting, and I had to learn a lot about the ins and outs of the fashion industry so I wouldn’t be “just another model with a camera.” As I got older and honed my skills and style, I was able to gain more respect in the industry. Like most people though it’s safe to say the biggest struggle to date was the pandemic. My entire livelihood is centered around working and creating art with other people, so not being able to get up and go to work for most of 2020 was particularly brutal.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think it’s safe to say my specialty would be my editorial work. My focus is always on creating an eye-catching image but also one that tells a story. Telling a story through images has really become the only way I know how to work anymore. It’s why my magazine is called Narrative.
I’m most proud of my magazine because it really is such an extension of me. I photograph everything for the publication, so I really have to push myself to not only go outside of my comfort zone but to also make the images consistently varied and exciting.
I think what sets me apart most from others would have to be my work ethic and attention to detail.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
It’s incredibly important in both fashion and photography to always be taking risks. My philosophy with photography has always been that you can’t be afraid to fail. With each shoot I do I try to push myself outside of my comfort zone and do something new. I don’t ever want to be someone that is placed in a box for one specific look or style. I want to be known for being a risk taker when it comes to my art. When I started The Narrative Magazine that was something I focused very heavily on by making sure each issue was centered around a theme that would push me to try something new that I hadn’t necessarily done before.
Contact Info:
- Website: blakeballard.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/blakeballardphoto?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/blakeballard_
Image Credits
Omarion, Trevor Signorino and Mitchell Slaggert, Conner Kern, Calee Lutes, Madelynne Ross, Alex Pettyfer, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Andrea Denver
