2024 12 03
One low-key highlight during our incredible wedding weekend this September was staying at The Robey. You know, that tall building in The Crotch of Wicker Park that used to be abandoned and is now a boutique hotel. We splurged on a corner suite on a high floor and, while expensive, I loved it so much it had me wanting to live there.
āHow long will you be staying with us, sir?ā
āIndefinitely, Iām being sued for divorce,ā I joked with myself in my head, hours before getting married (itās a Rushmore reference, for those confused).
In the early-morning hours, the sun creeps up over the skyline before blasting you in the face with a nice natural wake-up call. Surely, if I lived here, Iād get comfortable with the blackout blinds, but seeing as I only had two morning to enjoy the views, I was up early snapping photos while I shouldāve been catching some beauty Zās.
It has been interesting to see the cityās downtown creep westward in recent years, as the West Loop and Fulton Market continue to be hot. Part of me regrets not grabbing a loft back when they were somewhat affordable, but I still love our home in the more modest and somewhat chill westside neighborhood off The 606, which has shaped my life quite dramatically in the last decade, though I still long for those million dollar city views. One day, perhaps.
-Clayton
Skyline views from The Robey Hotel. Chicago, Illinois. September, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
One low-key highlight during our incredible wedding weekend this September was staying at The Robey. You know, that tall building in The Crotch of Wicker Park that used to be abandoned and is now a boutique hotel. We splurged on a corner suite on a high floor and, while expensive, I loved it so much it had me wanting to live there.
āHow long will you be staying with us, sir?ā
āIndefinitely, Iām being sued for divorce,ā I joked with myself in my head, hours before getting married (itās a Rushmore reference, for those confused).
In the early-morning hours, the sun creeps up over the skyline before blasting you in the face with a nice natural wake-up call. Surely, if I lived here, Iād get comfortable with the blackout blinds, but seeing as I only had two morning to enjoy the views, I was up early snapping photos while I shouldāve been catching some beauty Zās.
It has been interesting to see the cityās downtown creep westward in recent years, as the West Loop and Fulton Market continue to be hot. Part of me regrets not grabbing a loft back when they were somewhat affordable, but I still love our home in the more modest and somewhat chill westside neighborhood off The 606, which has shaped my life quite dramatically in the last decade. I still long for those million dollar city views, though. One day, perhaps.
-Clayton
2024 11 29
This year has been an eventful one for me in so many ways. One event I was proud of was the photo show and discussion I hosted at my space with photographer Nathan Pearce and photographer/photobook publisher Clint Woodside of Deadbeat Club. Iām aiming to do more events and shows of this nature, but running an event space mostly by myself, on top of all my other jobs and the āday jobā of the space, makes ambitious regular programing not quite possible. This is further complicated by the building Iām in being in a bit of a defining phase. Is it an arts building or is it a professionalās office building? Time will tell and money talks.
Much like the building, I myself am in a transitional phase, and Iām not quite sure which direction I will be heading in a few years. I write about it quite a lot on this here blog, but my core business of commercial photography is quite turbulent lately and the longer-term outlook is hazy. There are so many challenges facing photographers like myself, and I think weāre all sort of wondering what we should be focusing on.
Just now, I hung sixteen prints in the lobby of my building, the Kimball Arts Center. Learning to print, learning to frame, learning to hang. These are all skills Iāve neglected as a photographer and I feel like this, in addition to a bunch of other stuff Iām spending time on lately, is myself revisiting fundamentals that I largely skipped in my younger years. Itās really the little wins that keep me going, as hard as it has been. While being enthusiastic and excited about printing your work is nice, making it sustainable financially is a completely different scenario. I was joking with a fellow photographer/director, who is also going through a slow patch, that booking commercial projects is far easier than selling fine art photo prints. Itās hard to even give these things away! I get it, though. This is not a get rich quick scheme. Itās hardly even a business endeavor. Itās fundamentals. Hard hat, lunch pail. Put in the reps. Put in the work. It leads somewhere. Where, exactly, Iām not sure, but Iām doing my best to make sure Iām enjoying the path and learning while I go.
-Clayton
Hanging a photo show with Nathan Pearce at my See You Soon studio. Chicago, Illinois. September, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
This year has been an eventful one for me in so many ways. One event I was proud of was the photo show and discussion I hosted at my space with photographer Nathan Pearce and photographer/photobook publisher Clint Woodside of Deadbeat Club. Iām aiming to do more events and shows of this nature, but running an event space mostly by myself, on top of all my other jobs and the āday jobā of the space, makes ambitious regular programing not quite possible. This is further complicated by the building Iām in being in a bit of a defining phase. Is it an arts building or is it a professionalās office building? Time will tell and money talks.
Much like the building, I myself am in a transitional phase, and Iām not quite sure which direction I will be heading in a few years. I write about it quite a lot on this here blog, but my core business of commercial photography is quite turbulent lately and the longer-term outlook is hazy. There are so many challenges facing photographers like myself, and I think weāre all sort of wondering what we should be focusing on.
Just now, I hung sixteen prints in the lobby of my building, the Kimball Arts Center, as a homeless man dozed off on the coffee shop bench. Learning to print, learning to frame, learning to hang. These are all skills Iāve neglected as a photographer and I feel like this, in addition to a bunch of other stuff Iām spending time on lately, is myself revisiting fundamentals that I largely skipped in my younger years. Itās really the little wins that keep me going, as hard as it has been. While being enthusiastic and excited about printing your work is nice, making it sustainable financially is a completely different scenario. I was joking with a fellow photographer/director, who is also going through a slow patch, that booking commercial projects is far easier than selling fine art photo prints.
Itās hard to even give these things away!
I get it, though. This is not a get rich quick scheme. Itās hardly even a business endeavor. Itās fundamentals. Hard hat, lunch pail. Put in the reps. Put in the work. It leads somewhere. Where, exactly, Iām not sure, but Iām doing my best to make sure Iām enjoying the path and learning while I go, while doing my best at not also becoming a homeless person myself.
-Clayton
2024 11 28
Happy Thanksgiving!
-Clayton
Art in the wild. Donāt Fret. Chicago, Illinois. October, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Happy Thanksgiving!
-Clayton
2024 11 26
Only half a post today because I am so behind onā¦ everything. This image has always jumped out to me for some reason and I finally figured out why I (and likely only I) like it. Back in my college years, I had a big old boat Oldsmobile. It looked very much like this car, only much longer. This car, pictured here, is interesting as I canāt recall seeing many cars like it. A baby boat.
-Clayton
Big old car, but smaller. Chicago, Illinois. July, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Only half a post today because I am so behind onā¦ everything. This image has always jumped out to me for some reason and I finally figured out why I (and likely only I) like it. Back in my college years, I had a big old boat Oldsmobile. It looked very much like this car, only much longer. This car, pictured here, is interesting as I canāt recall seeing many cars like it. A baby boat.
-Clayton
2024 11 25
This morning, I woke up a bit grumpy, thinking about how success at my job has increasingly more to do with being good at sales than it does being good at photography. This isnāt just true for commercial photography but fine art, crafts, trades, etc.
Tonight, I read the latest Tim Kreider Loaf piece about how thereās a show at The Met right now consisting of art made by employees of The Met. He sums it up humorously by saying the museum is promoting it as well as if they were hanging their childrenās macaroni art up on the fridge. Is art worthy if it was made by the security guard of the art museum?
Is art better if it is made by an attractive female who gains tens of thousands of views via social media posts consisting of high-energy videos of herself? It is worse because of this?
Of course, none of this is new, but Iāve been thinking about the landscape of the art world (you know, bananas taped to the wall and whatnot) a lot lately, as I myself wade deeper into art both through my photography and a documentary project, which is in the early stages of development. That documentary will likely explore these thoughts, ideas, and frustrations in further detail, so I need to figure out what art is. If anyone reading this knows, please leave it in the comment section below.
Thanks!
-Clayton
The art of skating as seen through neon art by Neon Mike. Chicago, Illinois. September, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
This morning, I woke up a bit grumpy, thinking about how success at my job has increasingly more to do with being good at sales than it does being good at photography. This isnāt just true for commercial photography but fine art, crafts, trades, etc.
Tonight, I read the latest Tim Kreider Loaf piece about how thereās a show at The Met right now consisting of art made by employees of The Met. He sums it up humorously by saying the museum is promoting it as well as if they were hanging their childrenās macaroni art up on the fridge. Is art worthy if it was made by the security guard of the art museum?
Is art better if it is made by an attractive female who gains tens of thousands of views via social media posts consisting of high-energy videos of herself? It is worse because of this?
Of course, none of this is new, but Iāve been thinking about the landscape of the art world (you know, bananas taped to the wall and whatnot) a lot lately, as I myself wade deeper into art both through my photography and a documentary project, which is in the early stages of development. That documentary will likely explore these thoughts, ideas, and frustrations in further detail, so I need to figure out what art is. If anyone reading this knows, please leave it in the comment section below.
Thanks!
-Clayton
2024 11 21
The pub pup owns the bar floor. Controlling the territory amongst the patronsā shoes. You attempt a candid photo of the pup but any attention puts him on high alert, excited to be noticed by the figures towering above him, and the moment is lost. Pupās owner is excited that you notice his child. āMake all the photos you want! Here, let me get him to pose for you!ā But you want that candid moment of pub pup resting his weary head among the patronsā shoes. The moment is not meant to be, but pup is happy to be noticed. Letās get another round.
-Clayton
Pub pup. Chicago, Illinois. September, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
The pub pup owns the bar floor. Controlling the territory amongst the patronsā shoes. You attempt a candid photo of the pup but any attention puts him on high alert, excited to be noticed by the figures towering above him, and the moment is lost. Pupās owner is excited that you notice his child. āMake all the photos you want! Here, let me get him to pose for you!ā But you want that candid moment of pub pup resting his weary head among the patronsā shoes. The moment is not meant to be, but pup is happy to be noticed. Letās get another round.
-Clayton
2024 11 17
Today was an off day for the blog. Clayton, however, spent the entire day working. He was doing portrait sessions at the studio and this image, made over the summer, is one of the hundreds of backdrops he uses in his setup, which is super fun and creative. People get hundreds of unique photos after only a few short minutes in front of the camera. Of course, this also means Clayton has to edit all the photos he makes before sending them to the subjects. Clayton is tired.
Today, Clayton also used a petzval lens for the first time in his career. He got it specifically for his portrait sessions and it worked really well and added a fun, new unique element to the already cool process. The only downside to this fun new lens is that it doesnāt have auto focus, so many of the shots end up blurry. He doesnāt mind too much, though, as softer images arenāt necessarily a bad thing. He is, however, also considering possibly getting the new DJI lidar focus (mostly for video purposes), which would make this cool lens a bit more functional.
Oh yeah, Clayton forgot today is an off day for the blog and he really needs to go to bed right now. Clayton says goodnight.
-Clayton
Big tree on Wooded Island. Chicago, Illinois. September, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Today was an off day for the blog. Clayton, however, spent the entire day working. He was doing portrait sessions at the studio and this image, made over the summer, is one of the hundreds of backdrops he uses in his setup, which is super fun and creative. People get hundreds of unique photos after only a few short minutes in front of the camera. Of course, this also means Clayton has to edit all the photos he makes before sending them to the subjects. Clayton is tired.
Today, Clayton also used a petzval lens for the first time in his career. He got it specifically for his portrait sessions and it worked really well and added a fun, new unique element to the already cool process. The only downside to this fun new lens is that it doesnāt have auto focus, so many of the shots end up blurry. He doesnāt mind too much, though, as softer images arenāt necessarily a bad thing. He is, however, also considering possibly getting the new DJI lidar focus (mostly for video purposes), which would make this cool lens a bit more functional.
Oh yeah, Clayton forgot today is an off day for the blog and he really needs to go to bed right now. Clayton says goodnight.
-Clayton
2024 11 16
Itās ten pee em on a Saturday night and Iām at the studio burning the midnight oil; learning to be an artist; printing, mounting, and framing photos I plan to hang downstairs in the buildingās lobby for people to ignore for a few months. It could be worse, I could be out there making images of strip malls at sunset!
I have many more thoughts on the topic (of being an artsit and whatnot), which I will get out of me in various ways, but tonight I must get home to eat dinner with the wife. She already doesnāt understand why Iām here, now, doing this. Whatever this is.
For now, two quick thoughts:
this song, linked below, is special. Listen to it. Absorb it.
I have a better(?) Tim Davis (yeah, that one) post thatās been in the works for about three months now. Time, itās a bitch.
This is my life (iykyk). Chicago, Illinois. July, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Itās ten pee em on a Saturday night and Iām at the studio burning the midnight oil; learning to be an artist; printing, mounting, and framing photos I plan to hang downstairs in the buildingās lobby for people to ignore for a few months. It could be worse, I could be out there making images of strip malls at sunset!
I have many more thoughts on the topic (of being an artsit and whatnot), which I will get out of me in various ways, but tonight I must get home to eat dinner with the wife. She already doesnāt understand why Iām here, now, doing this. Whatever this is.
For now, two quick thoughts:
this song, linked below, is special. Listen to it. Absorb it.
I have a better(?) Tim Davis (yeah, that one) post thatās been in the works for about three months now. Time, itās a bitch.
-Clayton
2024 11 13
No post yesterday (until now) because I decided to tell work to fuck off for a bit. Iām kind of buried with work right now, mostly self-imposed of course, and the previous night my buddy Dave invited me to see Dehd at Thalia and I decided I needed to focus on getting shit done. Fast forward 24-hours later and my wife Allison texted me to see if I wanted to go see Dedh at Thalia (they played 3 nights in a row). It was like The Universe was testing me! Of course, my instinct was to say no thanks and keep working (I was in a groove trying to finish printing and framing fifteen pieces for a show in the building that I need to hang soon). After some internal struggle, I decided I should drop my work shit and get my ass outside into the dark, rainy night.
It was the right decision, of course. The music was pretty good, the fresh air was nice, the tacos we got after the show were delicious, and letting my brain decompress for a bit was ideal. More interestingly to me, however, was that we ran into not one, not two, not three, but four people at the show who we knew. On top of that, two of them were helpful with my work I was āneglectingā (planning a holiday market at the studio), so in a weird way, I was being more productive at work while not working. The Universe was showing me the way.
Long story short, down time is non-negotiable. Get your ass out of the house regularly.
-Clayton
Strange girls. Chicago, Illinois. September, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
No post yesterday (until now) because I decided to tell work to fuck off for a bit. Iām kind of buried with work right now, mostly self-imposed of course, and the previous night my buddy Dave invited me to see Dehd at Thalia and I decided I needed to focus on getting shit done. Fast forward 24-hours later and my wife Allison texted me to see if I wanted to go see Dedh at Thalia (they played 3 nights in a row). It was like The Universe was testing me! Of course, my instinct was to say no thanks and keep working (I was in a groove trying to finish printing and framing fifteen pieces for a show in the building that I need to hang soon). After some internal struggle, I decided I should drop my work shit and get my ass outside into the dark, rainy night.
It was the right decision, of course. The music was pretty good, the fresh air was nice, the tacos we got after the show were delicious, and letting my brain decompress for a bit was ideal. More interestingly to me, however, was that we ran into not one, not two, not three, but four people at the show who we knew. On top of that, two of them were helpful with my work I was āneglectingā (planning a holiday market at the studio), so in a weird way, I was being more productive at work while not working. The Universe was showing me the way.
Long story short, down time is non-negotiable. Get your ass out of the house regularly.
-Clayton
2024 11 11
Itās been a minute since Iāve done a proper Life Update and this week will be no different, however, the topic loosely applies. Iām in the early phase of a Pivot to Video, largely spurred by a collapse in demand for commercial photography, but also aided by a lifelong love of video and filmmaking (itās complicated why Iām not already more focused on it). In this phase, Iām spending a lot of time watching youtube videos. I swear, itās productiveā¦ at least to an extent. Film school is what I keep calling it. Realistically, thereās just a lot of new shit that I need to get up to speed on. Of course, Iām well aware that the only way to be successful at this new venture is not by watching videos but by doing it. Every damn day.
Most, if not all, of the credit to my success in commercial photography can be summed up by putting in the work. Spending the time. Consistent focus and dedication.
In my recent film schooling sessions, I came across a channel by DP Luc Forsyth because he did some camera tests I was curious about. Digging deeper into his channel, I watched this video linked below, which so brilliantly summed up these ideas on success within the industry, ideas I already fully agree with and believe in, but ideas I found interesting specifically because he put them in terms of growing his youtube channel as a working DP. This idea of starting a channel is one Iāve been dwelling on for years now, without taking the leap, mostly because I fully understand the challenges involved. Itās frustrating when I post some photos on Threads and they get zero likes. Itās frustrating when I post a blog to give away a print and get zero engagement. Itās likely far more frustrating to spend hours or your life painstakingly crafting and posting videos for them to go completely ignored by the eight or so billion people living in this world.
Luc summed up his growth projections so well and accurately:
1 year of weekly posting = 1,000 subscribers
2 years of weekly posting = 10,000 subscribers
3 years of weekly posting = 100,000 subscribers
This chart is the sole reason I donāt yet have a youtube channel. I know in my bones itās accurate, if not optimistic, and the sheer amount of time, energy, effort and focus required to put towards making a new video each and every week, without fail, is daunting. The idea that committing to this for a full year, after which you may get you a thousand subs is almost comical. But thatās not the reason to do it. Itās for year three. Year ten. Year twenty.
Iām already in my forties so the feeling that itās now or never, the feeling that Iām running short on time is very real and the biggest thing holding me back from going all-in on video. I still love still photography as well and not yet fully convinced I canāt make it work for another twenty years. Anyway, these are the things I am spending a lot of time thinking about lately.
-Clayton
To be great it takes years of consistent dedication. Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga photographed during a portrait shoot for Chicago Magazine at Wrigley Field. Chicago, Illinois. June, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Itās been a minute since Iāve done a proper Life Update and this week will be no different, however, the topic loosely applies. Iām in the early phase of a Pivot to Video, largely spurred by a collapse in demand for commercial photography, but also aided by a lifelong love of video and filmmaking (itās complicated why Iām not already more focused on it). In this phase, Iām spending a lot of time watching youtube videos. I swear, itās productiveā¦ at least to an extent. Film school is what I keep calling it. Realistically, thereās just a lot of new shit that I need to get up to speed on. Of course, Iām well aware that the only way to be successful at this new venture is not by watching videos but by doing it. Every damn day.
Most, if not all, of the credit to my success in commercial photography can be summed up by putting in the work. Spending the time. Consistent focus and dedication.
In my recent film schooling sessions, I came across a channel by DP Luc Forsyth because he did some camera tests I was curious about. Digging deeper into his channel, I watched this video linked below, which so brilliantly summed up these ideas on success within the industry, ideas I already fully agree with and believe in, but ideas I found interesting specifically because he put them in terms of growing his youtube channel as a working DP. This idea of starting a channel is one Iāve been dwelling on for years now, without taking the leap, mostly because I fully understand the challenges involved. Itās frustrating when I post some photos on Threads and they get zero likes. Itās frustrating when I post a blog to give away a print and get zero engagement. Itās likely far more frustrating to spend hours or your life painstakingly crafting and posting videos for them to go completely ignored by the eight or so billion people living in this world.
Luc summed up his growth projections so well and accurately:
1 year of weekly posting = 1,000 subscribers
2 years of weekly posting = 10,000 subscribers
3 years of weekly posting = 100,000 subscribers
This chart is the sole reason I donāt yet have a youtube channel. I know in my bones itās accurate, if not optimistic, and the sheer amount of time, energy, effort and focus required to put towards making a new video each and every week, without fail, is daunting. The idea that committing to this for a full year, after which you may get you a thousand subs is almost comical. But thatās not the reason to do it. Itās for year three. Year ten. Year twenty.
Iām already in my forties so the feeling that itās now or never, the feeling that Iām running short on time is very real and the biggest thing holding me back from going all-in on video. I still love still photography as well and not yet fully convinced I canāt make it work for another twenty years. Anyway, these are the things I am spending a lot of time thinking about lately.
-Clayton
2024 11 10
As I sit on my couch this beautiful summer fall afternoon (itās sixty-two degrees today!), I find it appropriate to post yet another Busted Car image. While Trump and his crew of Elites (wait I thought they hated elites?) figure out how to best pillage this nationās fine institutions in the name of tax breaks for themselves (that we voted for!), I think to myself, it could be worse; I could be a Bears fan.Wait, fuck.
-Clayton
Another busted car (this oneās a big one!). Chicago, Illinois. July, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
As I sit on my couch this beautiful summer fall afternoon (itās sixty-two degrees today!), I find it appropriate to post yet another Busted Car image. While Trump and his crew of Elites (wait I thought they hated elites?) figure out how to best pillage this nationās fine institutions in the name of tax breaks for themselves (that we voted for!), I think to myself, it could be worse; I could be a Bears fan.Wait, fuck.
-Clayton
2024 11 07
Things change. When I was a kid, my dad brought us downtown and I vividly remember the awe inspired by this building as we entered its public atrium. This, in part, made me want to become an architect when I got older. Instead, I eventually became obsessed with video shooting and ended up pursuing that as a career as I entered my young adult years. The video obsession eventually morphed into a still photography obsession, largely because it was easier for me to make work by myself, and didnāt need to rely on others to get things done. Candidly, I was an introverted shy kid and navigating the necessity of forming a big crew to make video productions happen seemed daunting to me at the time. When I found some traction as a photographer, it was a no brainer to shift my attention to that.
Now, I find myself an older guy and the Thompson Center is underground a tech-funded transformation (along with our country, it turns out). This morning, I woke up excited about video for the first time in a long time. It was an interesting observation and one that has gotten me excited! Iāve never lost my love for video and filmmaking, however, itās been firmly in the back seat for my entire adult life. New cameras and accessories are now being released, which are making me giddy to get my hands on them. Iām in the early days of a documentary project that is getting me excited, and Iām planning on collaborating on a bunch of test shoots this winter with a talented DP friend to showcase what we can do with beverage and food.
More to come as I make steps towards a new and exciting pivot in my professional career.
-Clayton
The Thompson Center, undergoing a transformation. Chicago, Illinois. July 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Things change. When I was a kid, my dad brought us downtown and I vividly remember the awe inspired by this building as we entered its public atrium. This, in part, made me want to become an architect when I got older. Instead, I eventually became obsessed with video shooting and ended up pursuing that as a career as I entered my young adult years. The video obsession eventually morphed into a still photography obsession, largely because it was easier for me to make work by myself, and didnāt need to rely on others to get things done. Candidly, I was an introverted shy kid and navigating the necessity of forming a big crew to make video productions happen seemed daunting to me at the time. When I found some traction as a photographer, it was a no brainer to shift my attention to that.
Now, I find myself an older guy and the Thompson Center is underground a tech-funded transformation (along with our country, it turns out). This morning, I woke up excited about video for the first time in a long time. It was an interesting observation and one that has gotten me excited! Iāve never lost my love for video and filmmaking, however, itās been firmly in the back seat for my entire adult life. New cameras and accessories are now being released, which are making me giddy to get my hands on them. Iām in the early days of a documentary project that is getting me excited, and Iām planning on collaborating on a bunch of test shoots this winter with a talented DP friend to showcase what we can do with beverage and food.
More to come as I make steps towards a new and exciting pivot in my professional career.
-Clayton
2024 11 06
Here we go again. Hold on to your butts. Last night was a gut punch for many of us, but here we are. Lots of people will have lots to say, with hindsight on their side, but I think my biggest takeaway is that we donāt have an effective opposition to Trump populism. The Democratic party is run by a largely-senile president who was pushed out of office against his own wishes and was nowhere to be seen throughout the election; along with a former president who is nowhere to be seen until itās time to campaign for a few weeks leading up to the vote; along with a former Speaker who, while smart, is an 84-year old millionaire none of us can relate to or connect with. This isnāt the kind of leadership that wins elections and unless something changes, it will continue to happen over and over again.
Kamala was not a perfect candidate, but she ran a pretty dang good campaign, all things considered. Sure, she couldāve done many things differently, but I donāt think it wouldāve changed the outcome one bit. It was an impossible task and now we live in a world where the only two female presidential candidates in our countriesā history have both been defeated by Donald Trump. It stings, bad. Itās a grim reality, but it is our reality and if we want it to change, weāll need to stay engaged, stay focused, and stick together.
-Clayton
Today, we stare into the void. Chicago, Illinois. September, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Here we go again. Hold on to your butts. Last night was a gut punch for many of us, but here we are. Lots of people will have lots to say, with hindsight on their side, but I think my biggest takeaway is that we donāt have an effective opposition to Trump populism. The Democratic party is run by a largely-senile president who was pushed out of office against his own wishes and was nowhere to be seen throughout the election; along with a former president who is nowhere to be seen until itās time to campaign for a few weeks leading up to the vote; along with a former Speaker who, while smart, is an 84-year old millionaire none of us can relate to or connect with. This isnāt the kind of leadership that wins elections and unless something changes, it will continue to happen over and over again.
Kamala was not a perfect candidate, but she ran a decent campaign, all things considered. Sure, she couldāve done many things differently, but I donāt think it wouldāve changed the outcome one bit. It was an impossible task and now we live in a world where the only two female presidential candidates in our countriesā history have both been defeated by Donald Trump. It stings, bad. Itās a grim reality, but it is our reality and if we want it to change, weāll need to stay engaged, stay focused, and stick together.
-Clayton
PS - I think Jon sums it up well here, and Jonathan does a pretty entertaining job as well, below that:
2024 11 03
Yesterday, Sunday, I took my day off so seriously that I forgot to post anything at all. I blame the Bears, who so demoralized me, I lost the will to do anything at all. Chicago sports is remarkable, really. Our teams experience occasional brilliant glory and then spend the next decade or two toiling away among the worst and most poorly-run organizations in all of sports. Weāll get āem next year, Iāll say again next year!
-Clayton
Another Mr Peepers. Chicago, Illinois. September, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Yesterday, Sunday, I took my day off so seriously that I forgot to post anything at all. I blame the Bears, who so demoralized me, I lost the will to do anything at all. Chicago sports is remarkable, really. Our teams experience occasional brilliant glory and then spend the next decade or two toiling away among the worst and most poorly-run organizations in all of sports. Weāll get āem next year, Iāll say again next year!
-Clayton
2024 11 01
Another one of Paulie Bās great Walkie Talkie videos dropped and itās Chicago street photographer Amando de Leon so I have to shout it out! Peep the video belowā¦ a few fun standout moments for me were:
Amando says: 35mm in Chicago, 28mm in NYC are the perfect focal lengths and that feels so right. I love the sentiment.
āI love flash. You look like youāre just having a party!" Being out here [photographing on the street] is like being at a partyā
He wants to publish more DIY zines and get a website up to sell them to fund his photo projects ā¦ Iām aiming to create a lil web shop on my see you soon site for this exact kind of thing. Hopefully early next year itāll be a reality. Itās been stewing in my brain for a long time now, itās just finding the time to make it a reality that has been the challenge. Ideally, I would love to help in my own tiny way to support these photographers who are out there putting in the time making their art. Iād also love to be out there myself more but know that realistically it will probably never happen, at least as much as Iād like it to.
Amando likes to photograph in bars. This was my life for a while! I think Amado and I need to meet and I need to buy the guy a couple beers! Hit me up, Amado!
Gary Stochl and Vivian Maier doing it themselves without a community or social media to keep pushing them.
Why do you take photos? ābecause it makes me feel like Iām here, Iām present.ā
-Clayton
Hyde Park and downtown through the trees of South Shore, Chicago. September, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Another one of Paulie Bās great Walkie Talkie videos dropped and itās Chicago street photographer Amando de Leon so I have to shout it out! Peep the video belowā¦ a few fun standout moments for me were:
Amando says: 35mm in Chicago, 28mm in NYC are the perfect focal lengths and that feels so right. I love the sentiment.
āI love flash. You look like youāre just having a party!" Being out here [photographing on the street] is like being at a partyā
He wants to publish more DIY zines and get a website up to sell them to fund his photo projects ā¦ Iām aiming to create a lil web shop on my see you soon site for this exact kind of thing. Hopefully early next year itāll be a reality. Itās been stewing in my brain for a long time now, itās just finding the time to make it a reality that has been the challenge. Ideally, I would love to help in my own tiny way to support these photographers who are out there putting in the time making their art. Iād also love to be out there myself more but know that realistically it will probably never happen, at least as much as Iād like it to.
Amando likes to photograph in bars. This was my life for a while! I think Amado and I need to meet and I need to buy the guy a couple beers! Hit me up, Amado!
Gary Stochl and Vivian Maier doing it themselves without a community or social media to keep pushing them.
Why do you take photos? ābecause it makes me feel like Iām here, Iām present.ā
-Clayton
2024 10 27
Proof of life. Should I become a self-portrait photographer? Probably not. Nice to document the addition of grey hairs, though. Surely I will cherish these moments when all of my hairs are grey. Happy Sunday! Back soon with moreā¦ content.
-Clayton
Itās me. Chicago, Illinois. July, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Proof of life. Should I become a self-portrait photographer? Probably not. Nice to document the addition of grey hairs, though. Surely I will cherish these moments when all of my hairs are grey. Happy Sunday! Back soon with moreā¦ content.
-Clayton
2024 10 26
This weekend, at my studio we:
Hosted a Creative Mornings event with 80 people in attendance
Hosted a honky tonk show for The Bobcat Boys with fifty or so people in attendance
Hosted a party for Show & Tell Me More, an early childhood development online course which films in our space.
Hosted a party for our neighbors to celebrate their childās one-year birthday
I am tired. Good thing itās almost Monday and Iām definitely not posting this a day late after just having watched the Bears lose an otherwise great game (second half, at least) on a bonehead hail mary defense. Having so much programming at the studio is fun but itās very much a full-time job.
-Clayton
Behind the camera during a portrait session at my See You Soon studio. Chicago, Illinois. July, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
This weekend, at my studio we:
Hosted a Creative Mornings event with 80 people in attendance
Hosted a honky tonk show for The Bobcat Boys with fifty or so people in attendance
Hosted a party for Show & Tell Me More, an early childhood development online course which films in our space
Hosted a party for our neighbors to celebrate their childās one-year birthday
I am tired. Good thing itās almost Monday and Iām definitely not posting this a day late after just having watched the Bears lose an otherwise great game (second half, at least) on a bonehead hail mary defense. Having so much programming at the studio is fun but itās very much a full-time job.
-Clayton
2024 10 24
I live at my studio now. I donāt sleep there, but I live there. Itās a nice space and people ask me all the time if I live there. I do, I just happen to leave late at night to go to my second home to sleep before waking up early and returning to the studio. Itās, perhaps, not the most economically-sensible approach to life, but itās what I do.
See you at 7:30am (soon)!
-Clayton
Some filming going on at my studio space. Chicago, Illinois. May, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
I live at my studio now. I donāt sleep there, but I live there. Itās a nice space and people ask me all the time if I live there. I do, I just happen to leave late at night to go to my second home to sleep before waking up early and returning to the studio. Itās, perhaps, not the most economically-sensible approach to life, but itās what I do.
See you at 7:30am (soon)!
-Clayton
2024 10 22
Here is another film image made this summer. I must say, film does have a little way with making mundane images just that much better. This same angle as seen from a digital camera would likely not make it to this here blog. The on-camera flash also adds an interesting element while mixed with the nice end-of-day light in the background.
I wish I hadnāt fully given up on film a decade ago and only now re-started shooting some film, now that it is a trendy and expensive way to make mundane images just a smidge more interesting.
-Clayton
An alley tree. Chicago, Illinois. July, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Here is another film image made this summer. I must say, film does have a little way with making mundane images just that much better. This same angle as seen from a digital camera would likely not make it to this here blog. The on-camera flash also adds an interesting element while mixed with the nice end-of-day light in the background.
I wish I hadnāt fully given up on film a decade ago and only now re-started shooting some film, now that it is a trendy and expensive way to make mundane images just a smidge more interesting.
-Clayton
2024 10 21
Lately Iāve been doing too much. Or, better put, Iāve been trying to do too much. Spreading myself too thin. The blog has suffered as a result, nearly missing some days and putting in bare minimum effort others. Iāve missed writing my Morning Pages more days than not. I find Iām most successful in life when I focus my attention into one or two things. This blog isnāt a thing because Iām trying to make it into a business, but it is a thing because Iām using it to focus my attention on something. Get my thoughts down onto digital paper. And to keep me motivated to make and share new images. It has been successful at times and less so at others.
There are a few more in-depth posts I will make a priority to share this week when Iām not busy doing my ārealā jobs. Today, we are filming a documentary project as part of my slow and reluctant pivot towards video. Wednesday I am photographing a different project. Otherwise I am printing, working on art, working on a book shop, studio managing, event planning, life planning, invoicing, catching up on my personal life. Itās all too much, really. Iām starting to get the sense that if I continue to try and carry all of these bags, Iām going to drop them.
We recently lost a few photography jobs because we were too expensive. Today, we took a call with a prospective client who is looking for someone cheaper then their existing photographer partner. It all feels a bit too on the nose. Itās like life is delivering me a clear choice and I need to decide which path I will go down. Work for less or work less.
-Clayton
Eve of Funeral Potatoes in the kitchen at Moonflower. Chicago, Illinois. July, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Lately Iāve been doing too much. Or, better put, Iāve been trying to do too much. Spreading myself too thin. The blog has suffered as a result, nearly missing some days and putting in bare minimum effort others. Iāve missed writing my Morning Pages more days than not. I find Iām most successful in life when I focus my attention into one or two things. This blog isnāt a thing because Iām trying to make it into a business, but it is a thing because Iām using it to focus my attention on something. Get my thoughts down onto digital paper. And to keep me motivated to make and share new images. It has been successful at times and less so at others.
There are a few more in-depth posts I will make a priority to share this week when Iām not busy doing my ārealā jobs. Today, we are filming a documentary project as part of my slow and reluctant pivot towards video. Wednesday I am photographing a different project. Otherwise I am printing, working on art, working on a book shop, a bar, a creative studio, studio managing, event planning, life planning, invoicing, catching up on my personal life. Itās all too much, really. Iām starting to get the sense that if I continue to try and carry all of these bags, Iām going to drop them.
We recently lost a few photography jobs because we were too expensive. Today, we took a call with a prospective client who is looking for someone cheaper than their existing long-term photographer partner. It all feels a bit too on the nose. Itās like life is delivering me a clear choice and I need to decide which path I will go down. Work for less or work less.
Allison & I had a very nice dinner at Houndstooth last week. While the food was delicious, my biggest takeaway was how calm and orderly the kitchen prepared our food while we sat and watched at the chefās counter. It was inspiring! It made me dream of a life so structured and orderlyā¦ being able to do something youāre passionate about in a calm and sustaining manner. But as is always the case in life, thereās so much more going on behind the scenes, for the better and for the worse, in order to be able to get to a place of such stability.
-Clayton