2025 12 31
In bar light, he looked alright. Chicago, Illinois. November, 2025. © Clayton Hauck
(Not) Becoming a Bar Owner in 2026
For last year’s post about becoming a bar owner this year, please see: 2024 12 31
The last note of 2025, which I will try to keep brief. One thing I’m left to consider is how I need to update my Year-End Considerations for next year, instead of simply revisiting the ones I make a year ago. I will get to this in the new year, but for now, let’s talk bars!
This is another one that I did not anticipate to play out as it actually did. Early in the year, a building came up for sale which attracted the interest of a friend of mine looking for both a new spot to live in a building he could own. The specific building also happened to house a longtime bar called WeeGees. Perhaps it was irony or perhaps it was fate; the fact that while somewhat actively looking for a bar project to dive into, one named after a photographer, and in my own neighborhood, becomes available.
Smash cut to today and I sit on my couch as a non-bar owner. We were realistically not prepared or qualified to be serious contenders for that particular project, but in hindsight it was likely a good thing it played out as it did. While it did feel like destiny in a strange way, my reality today would be so much different in almost every way imaginable had the project moved forward. While I’m sure some of those aspects might be improvements, I have to think that the time I’ve been able to put towards photography and art has been more fulfilling to me than old fashioneds and cleaning the bathroom at the bar.
This dream of mine isn’t dead, but it’s on hiatus for perhaps another time when it makes more sense.
See ya next year…
-Clayton
This is one entry in a multi-part series of self-exploration and contemplation-out-loud in advance of the new calendar year. Some of this may happen; none of this may happen.
For the complete list of Year-End Contemplation posts from 2025, please see: 2025 12 25.
For the complete list of Year-End Contemplation posts from 2024, please see: 2024 12 25.
2025 12 14
Eat up, while you can! Way Out, Chicago, Illinois. December, 2022. © Clayton Hauck
I’m well on my way to Photography Retirement. Why, you might ask? Well, a quick update to The China Situation:
Website traffic to this here blog originating from China is now up to 50%, 70%, 83%, 85% (!!!). As previously discussed (See: 2025 11 07; 2025 11 24, 2025 12 11), once we hit 100% I will officially retire as a photographer and switch my career to moving carts at Costco. A quick search of why so many of the visits are coming from China will tell you it’s most likely due to bots training ai models. My consistent, daily flow of Top Notch imagery is essentially training my replacement.
Have a nice day!
-Clayton 嗨，未来的女朋友，这就是我说话的声音
2025 11 18
Classic martini. Rainbo, Chicago, Illinois. December, 2022. © Clayton Hauck
It used to be the martini was a complete turn-off to me. The glassware shape was stupid and the drink wasn’t worth consuming. Of course, as we get older, our perspectives change. You learn, through the years, that most often things are classic for a reason, and it’s not unusual to be wrong about viewpoints you once held firm. Wrong and right is relative, for sure, but there’s no debating the martini is a classic cocktail for good reason.
-Clayton
2025 11 16
Haley & The Rainbo. Chicago, Illinois. December, 2022. © Clayton Hauck
If I’m being honest, my sister is the real reason I’m doing any of this art stuff. She’s always been more thoughtful and knowledgeable about all things art. I feel like a poser, by comparison. I’m working on it, though!
While watching this fantastic (as always) Alec Soth video (below), I both thought of Haley who loves to send and give physical objects while also contemplating how so much of what he says mirrors my own internal dialogue for justifying a career pivot towards photobooks and prints. I’m spending a ton of my time both printing my own work, leaning, and growing, while also now purchasing the work of others to sell in our Realm bookshop. This image is from my first printed zine — check it out! I promise I’ll stop hyping my blog soon, it’s just exciting to have physical work out in the wild and not yet something I’m used to.
-Clayton
2025 11 13
Allison. Chicago, Illinois. December 23, 2022. © Clayton Hauck
Have I mentioned I have a zine out now with the same name as this blog? I guess, since this blog didn’t yet exist in the days the images from the blog were made, I should share a few more of the images that are in the book but not yet on the website. Right? Mostly because I am behind on my posts and this seems like a relatively easy way to “catch up.”
-Clayton
PS if interested you can snag the zine here for the low price of twenty dollars!
2025 08 28
Haley at Consignment Lounge, Chicago, Illinois. June 2025. © Clayton Hauck
Yes, behind on posting again. We’ve been out visiting family over the weekend. Specifically, at my sister’s new spot in rural Illinois. Lots of fun and lots of photos, as well. I’m so behind on editing. Aiming to get a bunch of that done this coming week, which will hopefully then lead to more regularly-scheduled posting around here.
-Clayton
2025 08 13
Kenneth. Petzval lens testing. Chicago, Illinois. February, 2025. © Clayton Hauck
Testing a fun new lens out at the dark bar. I shot a lot of video, as well, which I’ve promptly done nothing with. Classic me!
-Clayton
2025 06 29
The bar at W.C Harlan, Baltimore, Maryland. September, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
I’ll be honest, I’m still dreaming and scheming of opening a bar. While this is no longer a main motivation of mine, there is still a somewhat realistic chance it will happen, though on a much smaller scale than previously attempted.
-Clayton
2025 06 21
Mike enjoys a brew. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. July 2024. © Clayton Hauck
It is the weekend.
-Clayton
2025 06 06
Beer and a shot. Sportsman’s, Chicago, Illinois. February, 2025. © Clayton Hauck
Friday is for beers (even though I’m posting this on Monday, because I was busy working over the weekend, so treating today as a “working weekend day” to allow myself some mental and physical recovery — that all makes sense, right?).
This photo is special because they handed me this High Life and the label was applied upside-down, which made me feel like I won some kind of Golden Ticket For Alcoholics to tour the Wonka brewery factory.
-Clayton
2025 03 21
Good Boy wants to go outside. EZ Inn, Chicago, Illinois. February, 2025. © Clayton Hauck
Open yourself up to chance.
Today I walked to work, as I usually do, and I took a different path than usual, as I always try but usually fail to do. As a reward, I ran into a friend and got to hear about her trip to Europe. I then encountered some animals and made a few photos of scenes I encountered.
Then, as I ate my lunch at the studio, this Alec Soth video (below) played.
Open yourself up to chance as often as you can and rewards will follow.
-Clayton
2025 02 27
Mister Tom Musick performs at Weegee’s. Chicago, Illinois. January, 2025. © Clayton Hauck
Last night I was out too late and drank a few too many beers. The long and the short of it is that I think we’re giving the photobook shop a go. Or, at least the concept of what will hopefully become a physical space at some point down the line. More to come.
-Clayton
2025 02 12
Skulls of Three Dots and a Dash. Chicago, Illinois. August, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
This image was made during a photo shoot. I’ve been using it as a background during my recent photo shoots (along with hundreds of other images). For the last week and a half, I’ve either been shooting or editing photos all day, every day. Yes, I’m a little burnt out, but I gotta keep at it for another week or so before I can get fully caught up.
Then it’s on to taxes.
It’s no wonder it felt appropriate to post this image today.
-Clayton
2025 01 23
I tried to buy a bar, but it didn’t work out. Maybe next time.
I’m now heading to said bar to blow off some steam and think about how I’m going to light tomorrow morning’s portrait subject. And to figure out how to pay the studio rent, which just went up more per month than I’m being paid to take the portrait tomorrow. Photography economics are increasingly challenging.
Cheers!
-Clayton
The bar at McGregor’s Blink Bonnie. St Germain, Wisconsin. July, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
I tried to buy a bar, but it didn’t work out. Maybe next time.
I’m now heading to said bar to blow off some steam and think about how I’m going to light tomorrow morning’s portrait subject. And to figure out how to pay the studio rent, which just went up more per month than I’m being paid to take the portrait tomorrow. Photography economics are increasingly challenging.
Cheers!
-Clayton