2024 08 03
As a longtime obsessive news reader, Iāve been hard on myself for shifting increasingly more towards youtube in recent years. A big part of why I started this blog was because I was concerned about the amount of time I was spending consuming youtube vs. creating art of my own. That said, Iām still wildly pro youtube and am amazed by the amount of top notch, well-written, interesting, and informative content (not to mention entertaining) which is available on the website. As with anything in life, balance is crucial and avoiding rabbit holes or becoming radicalized is always to be monitored.
The recent Trump assassination attempt has been on my mind a lot and continues to be wildly confusing and concerning, not because I think I know what really happened or how it happened, but simply because it happened at all, regardless the cause. The video linked below by RealLifeLore does a really nice job of summarizing the long list of assassination attempts against sitting presidents and people in important positions. Many of the events mentioned I had completely forgotten about or didnāt even know happened! When they are all recapped in quick succession, it makes the history sound so much more insane.
I enjoy considering historic events and why they happen while endlessly ruminating on it inside the ole brain of mine, even if Iām not āgetting to the bottom of thingsā. Did you know a former mayor of Chicago Anton Cermak was assassinated while sitting next to then president-elect of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt? Had that single bullet struck its likely-intended target, the world would be a far different place today, and poor Anton wouldāve been able to return home to the greatest city in the world. What a world.
-Clayton
Image made for Chicago Magazine at the best new restaurant: Warlord. Chicago, Illinois. February, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
As a longtime obsessive news reader, Iāve been hard on myself for shifting increasingly more towards youtube in recent years. A big part of why I started this blog was because I was concerned about the amount of time I was spending consuming youtube vs. creating art of my own. That said, Iām still wildly pro youtube and am amazed by the amount of top notch, well-written, interesting, and informative content (not to mention entertaining) which is available on the website. As with anything in life, balance is crucial and avoiding rabbit holes or becoming radicalized is always to be monitored.
The recent Trump assassination attempt has been on my mind a lot and continues to be wildly confusing and concerning, not because I think I know what really happened or how it happened, but simply because it happened at all, regardless the cause. The video linked below by RealLifeLore does a really nice job of summarizing the long list of assassination attempts against sitting presidents and people in important positions. Many of the events mentioned I had completely forgotten about or didnāt even know happened! When they are all recapped in quick succession, it makes the history sound so much more insane.
I enjoy considering historic events and why they happen while endlessly ruminating on it inside the ole brain of mine, even if Iām not āgetting to the bottom of thingsā. Did you know a former mayor of Chicago Anton Cermak was assassinated while sitting next to then president-elect of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt? Had that single bullet struck its likely-intended target, the world would be a far different place today, and poor Anton wouldāve been able to return home to the greatest city in the world. What a world.
-Clayton
2024 07 30
Saying yes to something I wasnāt comfortable with changed my life.
Long story short(ish): In my early years as a freelance photographer, I spent my time documenting Chicagoās nightlife and music scenes. Iād go out many nights a week and post all my images on my blog, everyoneisfamous.com, which gained a nice local following (shoutout Mark Hunter, who I stole this idea from!). One day, one of the owners of a popular music venue which Iād often photograph reached out to ask me to take photos of a new restaurant he was opening. That restaurant was named Longman & Eagle and went on to become a food phenomenon in Chicago and beyond. They won Michelin awards (despite being a ādark tavernā), were visited by Anthony Bourdain, and featured in seemingly every magazine and food website in the country. Fortunately for me, those first big pushes of press and publicity were saturated in my images with my byline attached to them (usually). This, in turn, led to further opportunities from people wanting a piece of the hot action. But I almost didnāt even do it out of concern I wasnāt capable of making good food photos!
I was largely oblivious with all this at the time and did nothing to better capitalize on it; I just went about my business and made photos of whatever I thought was fun or interesting. Perhaps this was part of what the Longman guys liked about me because one day, I got another email which changed my life. One of the partners had put my name into the mix when asked by an ad agency art buyer based in Boston (shoutout Carolyn Dowd!) who was organizing a massive project all across the country for Bank of America. I had zero experience in commercial photography, however against all odds, landed a multi-day project capturing local businesses in Chicago, Detroit, Houston and elsewhere for the giant bank, which paid me a day rate I previously didnāt even know was possible through photography. This job eventually led me to consider the thought that I could make photography a legitimate career; That I could one day own a home. This job eventually led me to land a partnership with an agent who I am still close with today (shoutout Erica Chadwick!). Me saying yes to getting out of my comfort zone and photographing some food is a simple little moment which has been such an amazing catalyst for my photography career and life.
I remember the feeling I had when he called. Iām pretty sure I even told him no, I wouldnāt do it. It wasnāt my thing. Fortunately he pushed me into it and here we are today, still remembering itās often a good idea to get out of your comfort zone and try something new, because you never know where it will take you.
-Clayton
A dish at the venerable Longman & Eagle. Chicago, Illinois. June, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Photographing food changed my life.
Saying yes to something I wasnāt comfortable with changed my life.
Long story short(ish): In my early years as a freelance photographer, I spent my time documenting Chicagoās nightlife and music scenes. Iād go out many nights a week and post all my images on my blog, everyoneisfamous.com, which gained a nice local following (shoutout Mark Hunter, who I stole this idea from!). One day, one of the owners of a popular music venue which Iād often photograph reached out to ask me to take photos of a new restaurant he was opening. That restaurant was named Longman & Eagle and went on to become a food phenomenon in Chicago and beyond. They won Michelin awards (despite being a ādark tavernā), were visited by Anthony Bourdain, and featured in seemingly every magazine and food website in the country. Fortunately for me, those first big pushes of press and publicity were saturated in my images with my byline attached to them (usually). This, in turn, led to further opportunities from people wanting a piece of the hot action. But I almost didnāt even do that first job out of concern I wasnāt capable of making good food photos!
I was largely oblivious with all this at the time and did nothing to better capitalize on it; I just went about my business and made photos of whatever I thought was fun or interesting. Perhaps this was part of what the Longman guys liked about me, because one day, I got another email which changed my life. One of the partners (shoutout Cody Hudson!) had put my name into the mix when asked by an ad agency art buyer based in Boston (shoutout Carolyn Dowd!) who was organizing a massive project all across the country for Bank of America. I had zero experience in commercial photography, however against all odds, landed a multi-day project capturing local businesses in Chicago, Detroit, Houston and elsewhere for the giant bank, which paid me a day rate I previously didnāt even know was possible through photography. This job eventually led me to consider the thought that I could make photography a legitimate career; That I could one day own a home. This job eventually led me to land a partnership with an agent who I am still close with today (shoutout Erica Chadwick!). Me saying yes to getting out of my comfort zone and photographing some food is a simple little moment which has been such an amazing catalyst for my photography career and life.
I remember the feeling I had when he called. Iām pretty sure I even told him no, I wouldnāt do it. It wasnāt my thing. Fortunately he pushed me into it and here we are today, still remembering itās often a good idea to get out of your comfort zone and try something new, because you never know where it will take you.
-Clayton
2024 06 16
My Illinois tour yesterday was interesting, although admittedly Iām not sure I made many outstanding images. More noteworthy for me was visiting many small towns Iād never previously been to. Lockport, Elwood, Wilmington, Gardner, Dwight, Odell, Pontiac, Forrest, Chatsworth. One after another, these towns are remarkable in the sense of their history. Built long ago in a different time, during a rush of growth and immigration, these places are largely abandoned and forgotten these days. I can only hope these towns will again fill up with people to be reborn and revitalized; their beautiful old architecture preserved and restored to its original glory.
To do this, of course, you need people. Still, these days more people are leaving Illinois than they are coming to it, so this dream of a rebirth will have to wait.
One major problem in attracting new people is thereās nothing to do in most of these towns, aside from maybe a bar or two where the record player scratches as you enter the door. Being in the big city, weāre spoiled with options and choices. We can eat food from any country in the world or visit a bar with any vibe weāre in the mood for.
-Clayton
Warlord. Chicago, Illinois. March, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
My Illinois tour yesterday was interesting, although admittedly Iām not sure I made many outstanding images. More noteworthy for me was visiting many small towns Iād never previously been to. Lockport, Elwood, Wilmington, Gardner, Dwight, Odell, Pontiac, Forrest, Chatsworth. One after another, these towns are remarkable in the sense of their history. Built long ago in a different time, during a rush of growth and immigration, these places are largely abandoned and forgotten these days. I can only hope these towns will again fill up with people to be reborn and revitalized; their beautiful old architecture preserved and restored to its original glory.
To do this, of course, you need people. Still, these days more people are leaving Illinois than they are coming to it, so this dream of a rebirth will have to wait.
One major problem in attracting new people is thereās nothing to do in most of these towns, aside from maybe a bar or two where the record player scratches as you enter the door. Being in the big city, weāre spoiled with options and choices. We can eat food from any country in the world or visit a bar with any vibe weāre in the mood for.
-Clayton
2024 05 08
Are you still taking pictures?
Itās something we photographers get asked, usually from relatives who donāt realize itās a bit insulting, or perhaps canāt imagine somebody sticking with a hobby for their entire life. Iāve been doing photography as a job for about two decades. There have been long stretches of time where I wasnāt also making photos in my down time. It was my job and I still mostly loved it but Iād had my fill of it during the hours I was getting paid to make images.
Iāve long found I go through phases of interest in things. I get obsessed with roller coasters and travel the country riding them; then I get obsessed with coffee and want to open a coffee shop; then I get obsessed with cocktails and want to open a bar; then I get obsessed with geopolitics and want to become an intellectual. Typically these obsessions turn into phases and fade away in time. Itās only logical that photography, though itās my job, will also ebb and flow in how excited I am to participate in it. Fortunately of late, Iāve found myself in an uptrend and have been motivated to make pictures, and perhaps soon video, at all hours of the day, whether itās for myself or for a client.
Thereās no shame in taking time off, doing something else, starting a new hobby. I can only image how challenging it must be for someone like Peter McKinnon, who built a massive name for himself through photography, to have to navigate what to do once the passion has worn thin and his livelihood is attached to posting thoughtful videos, and his staff is reliant on the income from posting thoughtful videos, but his thoughts are now elsewhere on things his audience may not give a shit about.
I have more complex thoughts on Peter the photographer but have no doubts heāll find continued success because of his strength as a communicator and storyteller. He became as big as he did not because heās an amazing photographer (not saying he isnāt!) but because heās so great at connecting with people through his videos, like this one.
Peter, are you still taking pictures?
-Clayton
Fish, just hanging around at Warlord. Chicago, Illinois. September, 2023. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Are you still taking pictures?
Itās something we photographers get asked, usually from relatives who donāt realize itās a bit insulting, or perhaps canāt imagine somebody sticking with a hobby for their entire life. Iāve been doing photography as a job for about two decades. There have been long stretches of time where I wasnāt also making photos in my down time. It was my job and I still mostly loved it but Iād had my fill of it during the hours I was getting paid to make images.
Iāve long found I go through phases of interest in things. I get obsessed with roller coasters and travel the country riding them; then I get obsessed with coffee and want to open a coffee shop; then I get obsessed with cocktails and want to open a bar; then I get obsessed with geopolitics and want to become an intellectual. Typically these obsessions turn into phases and fade away in time. Itās only logical that photography, though itās my job, will also ebb and flow in how excited I am to participate in it. Fortunately of late, Iāve found myself in an uptrend and have been motivated to make pictures, and perhaps soon video, at all hours of the day, whether itās for myself or for a client.
Thereās no shame in taking time off, doing something else, starting a new hobby. I can only image how challenging it must be for someone like Peter McKinnon, who built a massive name for himself through photography, to have to navigate what to do once the passion has worn thin and his livelihood is attached to posting thoughtful videos, and his staff is reliant on the income from posting thoughtful videos, but his thoughts are now elsewhere on things his audience may not give a shit about.
I have more complex thoughts on Peter the photographer but have no doubts heāll find continued success because of his strength as a communicator and storyteller. He became as big as he did not because heās an amazing photographer (not saying he isnāt!) but because heās so great at connecting with people through his videos, like this one.
Peter, are you still taking pictures?
-Clayton
2024 04 12
Look, I donāt have time to write a banger post each and every day like yesterdayās was so some days Iām just going to post some self-promotional bullshit, like today!
My email box alerted me to a new New York Times feature covering āChicagoās 25 Best Restaurantsā using my photo in the emailer with my name in the byline. I mean, cāmon, itās exciting!
This was my first visit to said restaurant and I snapped a few images on my trusty Ricoh, this one included. Iām a reluctant social media user, however, have been trying to be better about tagging people on IG lately. I tagged Warlord in this shot and they hit me back, asking me to email them so they could show their mom. Cute! Fast forward to Chicago hitting me up to do some photos and having the existing communication really helped along the process and led to some amazing images for a different Best New Restaurants feature. Then, this NYT feature happened. Next, surely Joe B(iden) will call asking if I can get him in. Thatās how this shit works.
Anyway, shoutout to Yoder for lining up at 3pm or whatever to get us in.
Now Iām hungry.
-Clayton
Warlord, one of Chicagoās best new restaurants, just featured in the New Yahk Times. Chicago, Illinois. September, 2023. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Look, I donāt have time to write a banger post each and every day like yesterdayās was so some days Iām just going to post some self-promotional bullshit, like today!
My email box alerted me to a new New York Times feature covering āChicagoās 25 Best Restaurantsā using my photo in the emailer with my name in the byline. I mean, cāmon, itās exciting!
This was my first visit to said restaurant and I snapped a few images on my trusty Ricoh, this one included. Iām a reluctant social media user, however, have been trying to be better about tagging people on IG lately. I tagged Warlord in this shot and they hit me back, asking me to email them so they could show their mom. Cute! Fast forward to Chicago hitting me up to do some photos and having the existing communication really helped along the process and led to some amazing images for a different Best New Restaurants feature. Then, this NYT feature happened. Next, surely Joe B(iden) will call asking if I can get him in. Thatās how this shit works.
Anyway, shoutout to Yoder for lining up at 3pm or whatever to get us in.
Now Iām hungry.
-Clayton
2024 01 14
Found moments are always my favorite. On my fancy expensive commercial jobs, the trick is often to make the neat & clean setup look organic & found. In this regard: a big part of styling is simply knowing what works and having good taste.
Bonus Tip: The Italiano Sandwich at Lardon. (photos by yours truly)
-Clayton
Restaurant scene at Lardon. December, 2023. Chicago. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Found moments are always my favorite. On my fancy expensive commercial jobs, the trick is often to make the neat & clean setup look organic & found. In this regard: a big part of styling is simply knowing what works and having good taste.
Bonus Tip: The Italiano Sandwich at Lardon. (photos by yours truly)
-Clayton
2024 01 05
Are you really going to post every day for a year? I donāt know, ask me again in 359 days.
Image made at Lonesome Rose in Chicagoās most underrated neighborhood: Andersonville
Lonesome Rose neon. December, 2023. Chicago. Ā©Clayton Hauck
Are you really going to post every day for a year? I donāt know, ask me again in 359 days.
-Clayton
Image made at Lonesome Rose in Chicagoās most underrated neighborhood: Andersonville