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Michael “J. LINGO” Blake – Photographer
J. Lingo is a New York-based photographer who has turned a hobby into a profession. An avid fan of reggae and hip-hop music, he specializes in photographing music events and artists. He maintains his Jamaican roots by regular visits to the island, timed to coincide with the major music festivals.
In January 2000, J. Lingo photographed the Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, compiling a portfolio of such artists as Luciano, Wyclef Jean, Mary J. Blige, Kenny G, Morgan Heritage, Tyrese, Alicia Keys, Shemar Moore, Snoop Dogg, and many others.
CD Covers You can find J. Lingo photographs on the compact disc covers of these artists: 4DSea - "4D Daze & 4D Flights" Ras I - "Conscious Reggae Music" Sarah Banner - "After The Madness"
Magazine Covers J. Lingo photos have graced the covers of magazines such as The Gleaner Extra, and “INSOMNIAC” Magazine, an underground hip-hop trade magazine.
In The USA J. Lingo’s work has been featured in People Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, USA Today, New York Newsday, Star Magazine , New York Magazine (online), Sharp Entertainment Magazine, PROMO Magazine, SGIB Magazine [Long Island’s first bi-lingual music magazine].
Around The World Around the world J. Lingo photos have been featured in UK – Express, Girl, In Style, New Magazine, The Week, Wales on Sunday, Cosmopolitan Jamaica - Air Jamaica’s “Skywritings” Magazine, X-News, The Jamaica Gleaner, The Jamaica Star, The Jamaica Observer France – Panini 16 Ans, HFA Paris Match, Le Point, Voici Magazine Germany – Petra, Fraud Im Trend, Duplex 2003 Russia, Poland, Germany, Denmark – General South Africa – Scoop Portugal - O Manao Spain – Lecturas Japan – Orion BooksBelgium - Isopix
He has photographed the Miss Jamaica USA Pageant 2000 for its advertising campaign. Another woman worthy of a pageant title that J. Lingo has had the pleasure of photographing is Jamaica’s 2001 Young Artist of the Year, Nakazzi. Lingo also worked with the 2001 Grammy Award nominee for Best Contemporary Jazz Album, Ronny Jordan, as well as Warner Music Japan’s DJ Hasebe, to publicize his “Hey World” album in September 2000. J. Lingo was also hired as the personal photographer for (Philadelphia 76ers) Theo Ratliff’s NBA All-Star Party in Washington, DC 2001. His photo of Hip-Hop pioneer, Cool Herc, was used by the artiste on a flyer, to promote one of his parties in early 2001. J.Lingo has worked with reggae dancehall artiste, Delly Ranks to update his 2001 press kit, and also worked with Budweiser on the New York leg of it’s 2001 promotional tour with E! Network’s “Wild On.” A J. Lingo photo of Brooke Burke with DJ Louie DeVito, from this event, was published in PROMO Magazine.
You may view
some of J. Lingo’s photos published on the following websites:
www.Unimediaimages.com (Unimedia International Photo Agency)
New York Magazine (online) www.one2onemag.com/wbls/Vivian_Green/vivian.htm (WBLS) www.caribbeanvibeonline.com (Caribbean Vibe Magazine) www.blackemperorent.com (Irie Jam Radio) www.jahworks.org (A Berkeley Publication focused on Caribbean culture) www.shaggynow.com/photos/categories.php?cat_id=196 (Shaggy) www.rikrok-rayvon.com/r-r-rp.html (Rik Rok & Rayvon)
J.Lingo, to his credit has done comp card/head shot photos for Alex Blake, Janice Chong, and child model Jamie Rose. Jamie Rose has been published in catalogs such as Kmart, Toys-R-Us, Lord & Taylor, Target, and Marshall Field’s. Jamie was also featured in the January 2002 Avon catalog (Campaign 5). Janice Chong won the Playboy Cyber Girl Of The Week Contest in late 2001. Look for her in the archives on Playboy’s website (www.cyber.playboy.com). She appeared during the first week of April 2002. She was also featured in the 2002 Sandals Resort Brochure. Alex Blake won the 1999 Face Of The Millennium Contest in Jamaica. In January 2002, he was voted NCAA 2001 Division 3 Soccer Player Of The Year. You can find a J. Lingo photo of him in the May 2002 issue of Upscale Magazine.
Other recent clients J.Lingo has provided photographic services include:
2004 Drew Frazier [Comedian] 2004 Dustin Adams [R&B Singer] 2004 @tire Lingerie Models 2003 Joe Pantoliano [star of CBS’ The Handler] 2003 WBLS 107.5FM 2003 Irie Jam Radio
Though a newcomer to professional life, J. Lingo is proud of his portfolio, and confident that his work is equal to that of the most seasoned professionals. He hopes to become an internationally recognized photographer specializing in live events.
Radio has also broadcasted the voice of J.Lingo. He has been heard on: WBLS in NYC WQHT in NYC [Hot 97] Kiss-FM, Hartford, CT WNOU-FM in Indianapolis, IN WRTN in NY KLAS-FM in Jamaica, West Indies
CONTACT PO Box 1054, Ossining, N.Y. 10562-0995. (914) 923-9665 . |