— sisters —

I’m an only brother with three sisters, so I have some appreciation of sisterhood.
It is not all roses, but most sisters I know share more roses than the brothers I know.

If I had to pick a single category of portraits to shoot for the rest of my life, sisters would be a
winning choice. Not that they’re easy, but to generalize, sisters are so much more "out front" than
brothers about what's true or not in their relationship. And they show it, even if they don’t say it.

— being close —

It doesn't happen so often anymore. We're pretty close around the dinner table, and perhaps hold hands during the
blessing, but except for couples that's about it, isn't it? So perhaps "while being photographed" is the only place
where being REALLY close is totally acceptable and encouraged. Which must explain why people enjoy my
photo sessions as much as they do: "Even if the photos don't turn out, it was worth it. That was so great."
Fortunately, the photos DO turn out, and they somehow contain and exude the magic of being close.

So my photo sessions give people an excuse and justification to intrude and play within each other's personal
space. And to revel in it. And explore newly. The sessions, and eventually the photographs too, become
a celebration and validation of relationships. And serve as clear reminders, when people are apart.

— family focus —

There is no set standard for how a family portrait has to look, which grants us huge freedom and permission to explore
options beyond our usual frame of reference. So do we see lots of fresh ideas on the family portrait front? Not so much.

The entire "family portrait" concept may sound unappealing or uninspiring to some, but I happen to LOVE it.
Yes, it was definitely an ‘acquired’ taste, and even after years of working with families, each new photo session
can still feel like walking into a battle zone or lion's den. Half the time, at least. So yes, it can look and feel like an
impossible challenge, and yet, with sufficient patience, fortitude, good humor, and perhaps a little love too,
the process can lead to something truly extraordinary and wonderful. So is it glamorous or easy? No,
but it can be surprisingly satisfying. Both the session itself, and the images that come from such a process.

Twenty years from now, when this family looks at this image, I hope the life it captures will shoot them back to 2009
in an instant, and refresh some memories of the years in between too. It’s a lot to ask from a photograph, but I believe
if you can capture genuine vitality and unselfconscious interaction, the presence in the moment can carry a visceral
experience of today’s intimacy and aliveness forward. In a small way, this is a photograph serving as a time machine.

As new photo sessions begins, I sometimes show this photo
as a ‘minimum expectation’ for what we are about to do. It brings
some laughs, and can nudge people toward trying something a little
‘outside the box’ of their ordinary portrait making experience. -C.

Shooting outside is a great alternative to the studio. This is Tyler at Warner Park, 10/07. The canvas print is five feet wide.

Statement from an exhibit at Haagen-Dazs on West End, in 1984

If you’re with all of the people that you care about, all of the time,
you probably won’t think about wanting photographs of them.
Photographs, especially portraits, generally serve as reminders
of the people we care about, when we are apart.
They put us in touch with specific feelings and experiences,
and remind us what it’s like when we are together.

Most of the people I photograph, are somehow insecure about
their appearance, or embarrassed about not measuring up
to some cultural standard of how people ought to look. Our
society isn't very appreciative of the 99% of us that don't look like
COSMO or ESQUIRE cover models. As a commercial photographer
I was often asked to make people look “better” than they really look,
more beautiful or sophisticated, or suave and hip. And for the right
purpose or as an exercise, I did not object, but as an accepted
practice it contributes to false values and the non-acceptance that
leave many incredible people feeling inadequate. So... after years
of doing commercial portraits for advertising and promotion, I began
to explore a simpler, less sophisticated approach to photosessions,
hoping to validate more genuine, and even more ordinary, everyday
human qualities. The goal is to give people a glimpse of the natural
beauty they exude when their guard is down, and they are simply
participating genuinely. Simple photographs of people
simply being themselves.

Originally, the new sessions were designed for individuals, shot solo and
barefooted in the studio, but as they evolved, more and more people
wanted to include their close friends. Some say they are less self-conscious
in groups, but clearly, most wanted to record and celebrate their special closeness,
like a lasting toast to their caring and appreciation. And people certainly do reveal
themselves in their relationships, which makes my work a real pleasure.

Š  Š  Š  Š  Š  Š

If you have any questions about my work please write or call so we can talk. After ignoring this site for a
bunch of years, I am now updating and making changes again. Many images that remain are ‘out of phase’ with
my recent work, and it may be another few weeks before the newer material is posted. -Clark (9/09)

Billy cruzin on his chopper bike, January 2007

In my mind, photographing anything—person, pet, house, or rock—is always ‘portrait’ making.
A true portrait captures enough of the essence and ‘being’ of a subject, that the image
will serve as a valid symbol of that subject, for future reference. It is not an exact science,
and the process usually depends upon fragile and subtle factors that must merge into a brief
balance. But when it works, the results can be extraordinary. Which justifies the entire
process, the challenge of it, and the time and effort required to make it happen
once again, starting from scratch each time, with each new subject. -C.

wickham project | hands