Maurice Strickland (born January 1983), known professionally as Sonny BL^CK, is an American photographer, musician, videographer, and entrepreneur. Hailing from the Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side, Strickland has made a name for himself since his emergence in 2003 as one of the Windy City’s most talented and respected independent creatives.
Sonny’s visual artistry has continued to evolve, captivating audiences with a fresh perspective and authentic storytelling. Specializing in commercial portraiture, fashion and beauty, lifestyle, editorial weddings, street photography, and fine art, he has had the opportunity to capture high-profile events including the Chicago Bank of America Marathon, New York Fashion Week, Chicago Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, and numerous festivals, events, and weddings across the globe.
Beyond his creative work, the Chicago artist is a strong advocate for fellow artists and entrepreneurs, promoting open collaboration and group economics to empower the city’s next generation of talent.
Clients
One Management Chicago
Ford Models
Rune Models
10MGMT
Cabo Models
Select Model Chicago
VNY Models NYC
MUSE Models NYC
BASE Models UK
Artistic Influences
Miles Davis
Peter Lindbergh
Tupac Shakur
Annie Leibovitz
John Mayer
Mos Def
Gordon Parks
Quincy Jones
Spike Lee
Helmet Newton
Bob Marley
James Baldwin
Jimmi Hendrix
Nina Simone
Denzel Washington