clark thomas photographs / nashville
spirited portraits
clark thomas photographs
Dallas family New Year’s card
Jones family, 12/31/2011
a simple portrait
Aside from the fact that this is my Dallas family, I view this as an ultra simple, almost cliche, family portrait. Nothing terribly unique going on here—a family lined up for their holiday photo card at a country club in Dallas, the photographer is also in the photo, achieved by photo edit after his son Jay (blue tie) stepped out and snapped a few frames with Dad standing in the back (gray jacket). Simple as it is, if the photographs I make each day for the rest of my life are no better than this, I could die well satisfied. It has most of what I believe a portrait should have. Little more, not much less. You can see everyone clearly, the composition is simple and pleasant and not distracting, and each person feels real, grounded and whole.
The photo card is generating an unusual volume of response, yes from friends and family, but also from outsiders who don’t even know these people. A writer friend said, “That photo is scary!” intended entirely as a compliment, he confirmed, “Scary good.” The grandmother in the center called to say. “So many people are calling us about the card photo, it‘s amazing...!” But I like to think the photo is not so amazing. It’s the family that is amazing. The photo mostly gets out of the way so the family can truly be seen. -c. [1/24/12]
Seriously Cool Dude pays a visit to Thomas Studio...
CLICK the PHOTO TO SEE MORE
Erin, Amelia & KJ — 9 of 75
September 17
Erin & KJ’s daughter Amelia @ just two weeks. [10/30]
’Exploring ways to present photos as a slideshow.
’this probably belonged on the WhatsNew page...
but spending the damp & cool night at scout camp with these kids
left me feeling more like a scout again than a parent so I thought it’d
be fun to give these great guys a little attention and PR. [6/27]
Kids & Pets *special* — last June & July
A kid with his pet frog, or big groups with lots of animals & kids.
Ultra informal and playful. Fee’s discounted 50%! -C. [6/8]
Winston, Bernadette, Miles & Bisquick
My all-time favorite photo. –Skip Bishop, dad
Just completed a *GrandParents* special that ended in May.
The specials are intended to remind and help you record friends and family while they’re
available, which usually means, now. Will post some examples soon. [6/8]
Harpeth Hall seniors
March 2011
Best friends from high school can be close forever.
And this photo makes you wonder what they’ll all be doing ten or twenty years down the road, but it’s great to see them so enthusiastic as they’re just getting out of the gate. Wallace said, “This was a fun and exciting way to capture our friendship—so much better than the classic prom pose,” and Madison, “We were a little timid at first, but once we were tossed into the middle of it we had a blast doing this. This really captures our personalities more than just our appearance.” [4/16]
The Gordon family
November 2010
Stretched out like “cut-out paper dolls” was the original idea...
and was going to be cropped close to make a long panorama fold-out card. Good idea, but we decided on another photo for the card. But this photo, uncropped with the trees which were never part of the plan, has essentially by mistake, become a new favorite. Who would ever shoot a family photo from so far away? Not me, but now I love it, and see it as a fun new ‘kind’ of family photo, or family poster. Need a big print to see everybody, sure, but even the web sized version makes a fun image.
“Hey Clark, do you shoot birthday parties...?”
In the past I’d have said “no way” but I’m beginning to change my mind...! Personally I’d go to see an exhibit of 40-50 wild & crazy birthday party groups. Especially if it covered all ages. Wouldn't you? “Birthday Party group portraits” could become a new craze! Very fun! [10/8]
Billy’s birthday party bash
October 2010
The beginning of something new? We had 19 screaming fourth graders terrorizing our house and yard last Friday, and they needed some structure to give my wife and our house a break, so how about a photo session!? My nine year old party man Billy (center) loves a chance to act cool in the midst of chaos and some quick prints from the inkjet turned this into a highly prized party favor. We’d not planned to do it but are so glad circumstances pushed me to make it happen. What a great souvenir for the scrapbook of all Billy’s fourth grade friends.
So I’m actually thinking it’d be fun to offer a “special birthday group portrait” package as a regular item, perhaps with a free print thrown in and a digital print emailed to all the guests. Parties would not have to be at my studio (although we’ve done that too and it *was* pretty kool each time) so I’m saying I would come to parties at homes or rock climbing studios and make something similar to this. Good idea? [10/2010]
Thinking about *birthdays* reminded me of this photo I made awhile back of the Williams family, I believe celebrating the mom's 40th. I love this photo. Very fun and wild too. But calm compared to a pack of fourth grade boys. -C.
Out with the old, in with the new, ’tho
rough at first. Getting better now!
Scrapped my old site in September and have new technology
and a new commitment to keep this site fresh & updated.
Write if you have questions or comments. -Clark