William Blount, 26, is seated at a bar, completely enveloped in his work. He’s unbothered by the sounds coming from the people nearby.
Reading press releases and Googling new developments, Blount is a man on a mission. More commonly known to many as Bright_bill3000 on Instagram, Blount has a passion for cities and the stories of how those cities came to be. Born and raised in Atlanta, his childhood was shaped by the urban environment that surrounded him.
Blount’s early years were spent in East Point, off Cleveland Avenue, where his mother, Lolita Blount, 60, worked as an elementary school teacher at Oak Knoll Elementary School, which is now called The Rise Schools. Blount said his mother instilled a love for learning and exploration within him. His father, Clarence Blount, 66, is an HVAC technician and used to own his own business, Blōunt Heating and Air.
Blount’s father is responsible for introducing him to the cityscape of Atlanta. He would take Blount into the city often while on different jobs, igniting a fascination with architecture and urban development.
“My childhood was spent immersed in maps, buildings, and drawings,” Blount said. “I was always drawn to the city, even from a young age. My dad gave me a map one day, and that sparked a lifelong hobby of exploring and understanding cities.”
Despite initially pursuing studies in animation at Savannah College of Art & Design following his graduation from Langston Hughes High School in 2015, Blount’s passion for urban planning and development remained steadfast. “It was always in the back of my head,” he explained. “I kept up with every project happening while I was in school. It was just something I liked to do.”
After graduating from SCAD in 2019 with a degree in animation & digital media, Blount’s journey took a significant turn during the pandemic in 2020 when he decided to channel his passion for urban landscape into action. Utilizing drones initially intended for his father’s HVAC work, Blount began documenting urban landscapes, focusing on construction and development projects often overlooked by traditional media.
“I realized there was a gap in coverage,” Blount said. “The news often misses the intricate details of urban development, especially in smaller cities. I wanted to fill that void and provide people with a deeper understanding of the changing urban landscape.”
Blount’s drone footage has captured the attention of viewers, highlighting cities across Georgia, from the bustling streets of Atlanta to the historic charm of Savannah. He has since added two more DJI Mavic drones to his arsenal. His goal is to inform and inspire curiosity about the stories behind each city’s evolution.
“Savannah, in particular, has always intrigued me,” Blount shares. “It’s a city steeped in history, with hidden tales waiting to be discovered. No matter how small, every city has something unique to offer.”
Blount shed light on the often-overlooked aspects of urban development, particularly in cities like Savannah. Blount recently detailed an instance where a development project initiated by the Savannah College of Art and Design resulted in the destruction of an older community. He emphasizes the lack of transparency in such processes, noting how many residents were uninformed until construction began. Blount said there is a need for greater public awareness and involvement in urban planning decisions. “There’s a lot of things that the mainstream news don’t speak about unless you’re going and doing the physical research yourself; you’re never going to know,” Blount said.
Looking ahead, Blount dreams of expanding his exploration beyond U.S. borders with Spain topping his list of European destinations. “I want to uncover the lesser-known stories, the hidden gems of cities around the world,” Blount said. “It’s about sharing the richness of each place’s history and culture.”
As Blount continues his journey of discovery, he remains committed to shedding light on the untold narratives of cities, one drone flight at a time.