2024 05 08

Fish, just hanging around at Warlord. Chicago, Illinois. September, 2023. © Clayton Hauck

Are you still taking pictures?

It’s something we photographers get asked, usually from relatives who don’t realize it’s a bit insulting, or perhaps can’t imagine somebody sticking with a hobby for their entire life. I’ve been doing photography as a job for about two decades. There have been long stretches of time where I wasn’t also making photos in my down time. It was my job and I still mostly loved it but I’d had my fill of it during the hours I was getting paid to make images.

I’ve 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. It’s only logical that photography, though it’s my job, will also ebb and flow in how excited I am to participate in it. Fortunately of late, I’ve found myself in an uptrend and have been motivated to make pictures, and perhaps soon video, at all hours of the day, whether it’s for myself or for a client.

There’s 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 he’ll find continued success because of his strength as a communicator and storyteller. He became as big as he did not because he’s an amazing photographer (not saying he isn’t!) but because he’s so great at connecting with people through his videos, like this one.

Peter, are you still taking pictures?

-Clayton

2024 04 12

Warlord, one of Chicago’s best new restaurants, just featured in the New Yahk Times. Chicago, Illinois. September, 2023. © Clayton Hauck

Look, I don’t have time to write a banger post each and every day like yesterday’s was so some days I’m just going to post some self-promotional bullshit, like today!

My email box alerted me to a new New York Times feature covering “Chicago’s 25 Best Restaurants” using my photo in the emailer with my name in the byline. I mean, c’mon, it’s exciting!

This was my first visit to said restaurant and I snapped a few images on my trusty Ricoh, this one included. I’m 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. That’s how this shit works.

Anyway, shoutout to Yoder for lining up at 3pm or whatever to get us in.

Now I’m hungry.

-Clayton