We were lucky to catch up with Blake Martin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Blake with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I believe my work ethic was unconsciously instilled in me by my mother. Growing up, my mother was heavy into education. She pursued her bachelor’s degree, multiple master’s degrees, and two doctoral degrees. She worked very hard. I watched her go after the things she wanted with such fire and resilience, and my developing mind just picked up on it. I learned very early in life that anything is possible if you work hard enough at it-she taught me that. My mother was unapologetic about missing girls’ night out or not being interested in dating. She had goals and nothing would stop her form them. I’m the same as an adult.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Blake Martin, 37, was born and raised in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Martin began his entertainment career as a professional dancer. Martin fell in love with the art of dance at the age of 12 while watching his idol Britney Spears. In his development, Martin professionally trained in the areas of hip-hop, ballet, jazz, and modern dance. He continued his love of dance and created a successful career for himself during his teenage years. By his high school graduation, Blake had appeared in several commercials for Gatorade and The Gap. He also traveled the world dancing background on tours with R. Kelly, B2K, and more. In the year 2000, Blake also founded and created Delta Phi Delta Dance Fraternity, Inc. The world’s first and currently, largest Greek-lettered dance organization.
Martin attended Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina on a full cheerleading scholarship. After leaving college in 2006 to continue to pursue his love of dance, Blake was asked to choreograph a local fashion show in Chicago. Throughout the process, Blake fell in love with the art of production and fashion and immediately left his dance career behind.
From 2006-2020, Blake stamped his mark within the fashion production industry, producing over 250 fashion shows worldwide, a 64-city tour in China, and has worked with brands such as Timberland, Nike, Gucci, Disney, Adidas, and New York Fashion Week. During this time, Blake also served as casting director for Vh1’s Black Ink Crew Chicago and content creator for Amazon. Blake has mentored, trained, and sculpted thousands of emerging talents worldwide.
In 2019, Blake graduated from the Harvard School of Business, completing an entrepreneurship and media studies program.
In 2020, when Covid 19 put all fashion productions on hold, Martin decided to try his hand at fashion photography. Within six months of his photography journey, Martin was featured in multiple issues of American Vogue and GQ Magazine. His work was also featured on a Times Square billboard and he was named fashion photography’s newest prodigy by Fashion Bomb Daily. Since May 2020, Martin’s photography work has graced nearly 100 magazine covers, over 100 fashion editorials, three Times Square billboards, campaigns with The Crayon Case, Kaleidoscope hair care, Walmart, Adidas Ivy Park, and the cover of Vogue Japan. From 2020-2021, he served as the international creative director for Malvie Magazine, a fashion publication based in Paris, France. Martin has also photographed celebrities such as Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, EnVogue, Rickey Smiley, the cast of P Valley and The Chi, members of B2K, TaRhonda Jones, Shawnna, and more.
During the summer of 2022, Blake accomplished his biggest achievement to date, becoming an Amazon best-selling author, selling over 10,000 copies of his memoir, Baggage Claim.
Most recently, at the start of 2023, Blake established his full-service production firm, FROW Media Group, designed to bring together creatives in Chicago to service high-end clientele and brands. FROW Media Group is focused on providing customers with outstanding, state-of-the-art experiences. FROW provides brand management, show production, photography, and other similar services. FROW Media Group is focused on delivering one-stop shop branding, production, and photography services. Our focus is to deliver a 360-degree experience for every customer while informing, entertaining, and connecting with our audience. We use our expertise and professionalism to help grow your brand, while also introducing it to new audiences in an immersive, empowering manner.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Here is the most cliche and corny piece of advice known to man, yet effective. NEVER GIVE UP! This industry is tough, and brutal and can make you question everything you are and what you love. However, if you have a love for what you do and what you want to give the world, NEVER give up.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
Above all, my parents taught me tenacity and a hard work ethic. They instilled in me to be strong and go after my passions with a strong fire.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.FrowMediaGroup.com
- Instagram: MrBlakeMartin
