Billy Black is a professional photographer known for his ability to capture the emotion and beauty of a sailor, boat, and team.
Gryphon Solo 2 leaving Newport at the start of the Newport to Bermuda 1-2
Excerpt from his nomination:
“Billy is a consummate sailor, and lover of classic naval architecture,” says Bernadette Bernon, editorial director of BoatUS Magazine, and former editorial director of Cruising World and Sailing World. “He intimately understands boats and what makes them beautiful, and he’s got the artistic skill to capture that essence. In particular, he’s a master of using natural light to set a mood, which makes his photographs come alive. Billy, always with a camera in hand, has an affinity for photographing long-distance solo sailors, and understands their passion for the sea, because he’s driven by it, too.”
One of Billy’s missions is to photograph not only the winners, but everyone who finished the BOC and the many Singlehanded Transatlantic Races he covered over the past 30 years. He has always believed that the last person to arrive, often weeks after the winner, should also be honored. In the 1992 OSTAR he missed only one of the 55 finishers.
From a client:
“Billy has a phenomenal ability to capture the emotion and beauty of a sailor, boat and team. From being there at all hours to capture the finish of an offshore race, to walking the docks capturing the camaraderie of the sailors and a little bit of everything in between, Billy brings a race to life. As the person who is on the other side gearing up to send images to the media or use in our social, web and email, I’m continually impressed by the photos coming back and always have many, many options to help tell the story of the race and sailors.”
Principal photographer for documentary film on CSTAR 1988
Vento Di Dardegna skippered by Andrea Murd sailing into Newport at the Two Star double handed transat race.
Race Organizer’s photographer:
BOC Challenge 1990-91
BOC Challenge 1994-95
Bermuda 1-2 1997
Around Alone 1998
EUROPE-One STAR 2000
Around Alone 2002-2003
Bermuda 1-2 2003
Shipyard Cup 2005-2010
Newport Bucket 2005-2013
Onboard NYYC Invitational Regatta 2009
Onboard NYYC Invitational Regatta 2011
Onboard Twelve Meter World Cup 2009
Onboard Annapolis to Newport race 2011
Atlantic Cup 2011-2018
Onboard Marblehead to Halifax 2011
Candy Store Cup 2011-2019
Original Singlehanded Transatlantic Race 2013
Onboard NYYC Invitational Regatta 2009-2015
Pineapple Cup 2015-2017
Newport Regatta 2016
Newport Regatta 2018
Newport Regatta 2019
Team still and video photographer:
Warren Luhrs Thursday’s Child NY-SF record 1989
Jack Boye Project City Kids BOC 1990-91
Mike Plant Duracell BOC 1990-91
Hall Roth Sebago BOC 1990-91
Mike Plant Coyote Vendee Globe 1990-1992
Toshiba Adventure Racing 1994-1996
Steve Pettengill Hunter’s Child BOC 1994-95
David Scully Coyote BOC 1994-95
Robin Davie Cornwall 1994-95
David Adams True Blue 1994-95
Giovanni Soldini, Fila 1998
Jean Pierre Mouligne, Cray Valley 1996-2001
Brad Van Liew, Balance Bar 1996-2001
Steve Fossett, Playstation 1999-2002
Joe Harris Griffon Solo 1999-present
Ellen MacArthur Kingfisher 2000-2004
Bernard Stamm, Armor Lux 2002-2003
Emma Richards, Pindar 2002-2003
Graham Dalton, HSBC 2002-2003
Bruce Schwab, Ocean Planet 2002-2003
Alan Paris, BTC Velocity 2002-2003
Brad Van Liew, Tommy Hilfiger 2002-2003
Mari Cha transatlantic record 2003-2004
Whisper onboard for Rolex Transatlantic Challenge 2004
Francis Joyon Eure et Lour Jules Verne Trophy 2005
Whisper onboard St. Barth’s Bucket 2005-2011
Onboard Remax for Gary Jobson Newport to Bermuda 2006
Bruno Peyron, Orange Telecom 2006
Alex Thompson, Hugo Boss 2007-2012
Bella Mente racing campaign 2008-2015
Gitana Cape Horn record 2008
ICAP Leopard Transatlantic record 2008
Onboard Giovanni Soldini Maserati Italia Ocean Records 2008-2011
Dorade, 2010-2018
Aegir Carbon Ocean Yachts 2011-2012
Spindrift Racing Transatlantic record 2012
Onboard P-2 2004-2014
Kiwi Spirit solo around the world 2012-2018
Longbow by Carbon Ocean Yachts 2014-2015
Erbil Arkin Tempus Fugit 2014
Running Tide refit and sailing 2018-present
Photographed destinations around the world for 30 years for private yachts and charter companies like Navigare, Moorings, and Sunsail.
Boat of the Year photographer for Cruising World Magazine for 26 years
Hundreds of assignments for magazines including Sail, Sailing, Soundings, Wooden Boat, Outside Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Voiles et Voilier, The Guardian, and more.
Hundreds of advertising assignments to promote new sailboats and the sailing lifestyle
Lifetime Achievement Award, Newport International Boat Show 2017
