Justin Ervin is an American cinematographer, director, writer, producer, and photographer. He works in documentary films, scripted movies, fashion, and commercial media. He is also the husband of model Ashley Graham.
His work has appeared on Netflix, PBS, HBO, and the History Channel. His projects often cover Black history, culture, film, and social issues. He has also worked in fashion and editorial photography.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Justin Ervin |
| Date of Birth | December 31, 1988 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Cinematographer, director, writer, producer, photographer |
| Education | MFA in Social Documentary Filmmaking |
| Graduate School | School of Visual Arts |
| Known For | Film and documentary work |
| Major Project | Is That Black Enough for You?!? |
| Other Known Work | 761st: The Original Black Panthers |
| Directing Work | PowerNomics |
| Wife | Ashley Graham |
| Marriage Year | 2010 |
| Children | Isaac, Roman, and Malachi |
Early Life and Education of Justin Ervin
Justin Ervin was born on December 31, 1988, in the United States. He became interested in cameras, film, and visual art. He later turned that interest into a career.
Ervin studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He earned an MFA in Social Documentary Filmmaking. His studies focused on real people, real events, and film production.
His training covered directing, camera work, editing, and documentary film. Those skills became a key part of his later work. Many of his films deal with history, race, culture, and social life.
How Did Justin Ervin Become a Filmmaker?
Justin Ervin began working in both documentary and scripted film. He took jobs as a director, writer, producer, and cinematographer. This gave him experience in several parts of film production.
One of his early projects was Elephant in the Room. The documentary appeared at film festivals and gained awards and attention. It was an early feature in his film career.
Ervin later worked on short films and larger productions. He also took on more camera work for film and television. His credits grew across documentary, narrative, and commercial projects.
Justin Ervin’s Career as a Cinematographer
Cinematography is a major part of Justin Ervin’s career. He works with cameras, lighting, lenses, framing, and exposure. These parts shape how a film looks on screen.
Ervin has worked on both nonfiction and scripted films. His documentary work often puts him around interviews and real events. His scripted projects give him more control over scenes and lighting.
He has also worked in fashion and commercial media. This work uses many of the same camera and lighting skills. His credits now cover several types of visual media.
Is That Black Enough for You?!?
One of Ervin’s best known credits is Is That Black Enough for You?!? The Netflix documentary came out in 2022. Film critic and historian Elvis Mitchell wrote and directed it.
The film looks at the history of Black cinema in the United States. It gives special focus to Black films from the late 1960s and the 1970s. It also covers actors, directors, writers, and major cultural changes.
Ervin served as the director of photography. The documentary later received an Emmy nomination. It became one of the most visible projects on his film record.
761st: The Original Black Panthers
Justin Ervin also served as director of photography on 761st: The Original Black Panthers. The film tells the story of the 761st Tank Battalion during World War II.
The unit was made up of Black American soldiers. They fought overseas while facing racism and unfair treatment at home. Their wartime service is the main focus of the documentary.
Actor Morgan Freeman was an executive producer on the project. He also appeared in the film. The documentary became another major historical project in Ervin’s career.
Dear Ernie and Narrative Film Work
Ervin has also worked on scripted films. One of those projects is the short film Dear Ernie. He worked on the film as a cinematographer.
Dear Ernie had a strong run at film festivals. It received several awards during that run. The project added more narrative film work to Ervin’s credits.
Scripted work also lets him plan scenes in more detail. Camera position, lighting, and movement can be set before filming. Ervin has used those skills in both short and feature projects.
The Golden Voice and The Shadow Scholars
Justin Ervin later worked on The Golden Voice and The Shadow Scholars. The two projects cover very different subjects. One is a drama, while the other is a documentary.
The Golden Voice is linked to filmmaker Brandon Eric Kamin. Ervin worked as a cinematographer on the project. The film also features actor Nick Nolte.
The Shadow Scholars looks at the paid essay business. It follows writers in Kenya who produce academic work for students abroad. Ervin worked on the film as part of its cinematography team.
What Is PowerNomics?
PowerNomics: Based on the Life and Work of Dr. Claud Anderson is another major Ervin project. He directed the documentary. The film centers on Dr. Claud Anderson.
The documentary explores Anderson’s work and economic ideas. It covers Black business, wealth, community growth, and economic power. These topics are tied to Anderson’s long public career.
Charlamagne Tha God joined the project as an executive producer. PowerNomics gave Ervin another major directing credit. It also kept him close to documentary work about Black history and life.
Look and Live Productions
Ervin works through Look and Live Productions. The company is tied to his work in film, photography, and visual media. It also supports his work as a creative professional.
He has shared lessons about filmmaking through his professional platforms. These lessons include camera builds, lenses, lighting, framing, and exposure. They are aimed at people who want to learn film production.
Ervin has also spoken about his work at film and art events. His professional background lets him discuss both creative and technical parts of production.
Justin Ervin’s Cinematography Style
Justin Ervin works with both natural and planned images. His documentary projects often use real places and real people. His fashion work uses more controlled light and framing.
Lighting is an important part of his camera work. He has shared examples of soft lighting and planned light setups. He has also discussed exposure tools used on professional sets.
Ervin works with modern camera systems and different types of lenses. He has tested both modern and vintage glass. His setup can change based on the needs of each project.
Fashion and Editorial Photography
Film is not Ervin’s only field. He also works in fashion photography and editorial media. His photography has appeared in Harper’s Bazaar and Elle.
His commercial work has also involved major media and fashion names. These projects include still photos, video, branded films, and campaign work. They give him work outside documentary cinema.
Photography also connects him with the fashion world of Ashley Graham. The couple have worked together on some projects. Ervin has photographed and filmed his wife for professional shoots.
How Did Justin Ervin Meet Ashley Graham?
Justin Ervin met Ashley Graham at a church in New York City in 2009. They became close and soon started a relationship. Ervin proposed the next year.
The couple married in 2010. Their wedding came before Graham reached a new level of fame in the fashion world. Ervin was also building his own film career at the time.
Their jobs often involve travel and long work schedules. Graham works in fashion and media, while Ervin often works behind the camera. They have remained together while building both careers.
Ashley Graham’s Career and Marriage
Ashley Graham is an American model, author, host, and media figure. She became well known for her work in fashion. She also became a major voice for wider body representation.
Graham has appeared in large fashion campaigns and leading magazines. She has also worked in television and publishing. Her public career has made her known around the world.
Ervin and Graham have sometimes worked on the same projects. He has photographed and filmed her for editorial and commercial work. Their careers meet most often through fashion, film, and photography.
Justin Ervin and Ashley Graham’s Children
Justin Ervin and Ashley Graham welcomed their first child in January 2020. Their son is named Isaac Menelik Giovanni Ervin. He was born almost ten years after their marriage.
Their family grew again in January 2022. Graham gave birth to twin sons named Roman and Malachi. The couple now have three boys.
Graham has spoken in public about pregnancy and motherhood. She and Ervin also keep many parts of their children’s lives private. Their sons appear only in selected family posts and interviews.
Working With Ashley Graham
Ervin and Graham have worked together on photo and video projects. His camera skills fit well with her work as a model. Some of their projects mix fashion with a more personal style.
Ervin has photographed Graham for editorial work. He has also been involved in video and commercial projects that feature her. Their work together is only one part of his wider career.
Both also keep separate professional paths. Graham works mainly in modeling, fashion, and media. Ervin focuses on film, photography, directing, and cinematography.
Justin Ervin’s Professional Identity
Justin Ervin has built a career outside his marriage to a famous model. His film credits include documentaries, scripted movies, shorts, and television projects. He also works in fashion and commercial media.
Black history is a common subject in several of his projects. His work has covered Black cinema, Black soldiers, economics, and social issues. Other projects deal with education and modern life.
Ervin can work in several roles on a production. His credits include director, cinematographer, writer, producer, and photographer. This range has helped him move between film, television, and fashion.
Final Thoughts
Justin Ervin is best known for his work behind the camera and his marriage to Ashley Graham. His film credits include Is That Black Enough for You?!?, 761st: The Original Black Panthers, The Shadow Scholars, and PowerNomics.
His education in Social Documentary Filmmaking shaped much of his professional work. He has also moved into narrative movies, fashion shoots, and commercial projects.
Ervin and Graham have been married since 2010. They have three sons named Isaac, Roman, and Malachi. Ervin continues to work as a filmmaker while raising his family with Graham.
FAQs
Who is Justin Ervin?
Justin Ervin is an American cinematographer, director, writer, producer, and photographer. He is also the husband of model Ashley Graham.
What does Ashley Graham’s husband do?
Ashley Graham’s husband works in film and photography. He has worked as a cinematographer, director, writer, producer, and photographer.
When did Justin Ervin and Ashley Graham get married?
The couple met at a church in New York City in 2009. They married in 2010.
How many children do Justin Ervin and Ashley Graham have?
The couple have three sons. Their names are Isaac Menelik Giovanni, Roman, and Malachi.
What movies has Justin Ervin worked on?
His credits include Is That Black Enough for You?!?, 761st: The Original Black Panthers, Dear Ernie, The Golden Voice, The Shadow Scholars, and PowerNomics.