2025 12 02
Mouse. Chicago, Illinois. December, 2022. © Clayton Hauck
So what jobs are we all getting next?
My youtube obsession continues, with the video below hitting my feed as I was updating the bookshop inventory. I know almost nothing about tattoos, don’t have any myself, and likely never will. That said, I found this video wildly fascinating and informative. Realistically, there are many parallels to my own photography industry. The job market of the future continues to terrify me. Anyway, back to work.
-Clayton
2025 12 01
Keep Havin a Good Day! Chicago, Illinois. December, 2022. © Clayton Hauck
Soooo close to being caught up on posts, yet still so far! This entire year has felt like I’m running on one of those moving walkways you find at the airport only I’m heading in the wrong direction. Doing far too many things so the gains all feel small and insignificant in the moment. Hopefully when I take a beat to relax and catch up on life, I’ll have a chance to take it all in and see and appreciate the gains. If not, I’ll have this picture hanging on my wall to keep me sane.
-Clayton
2025 10 19
Not Dead. Chicago, Illinois. June, 2025. © Clayton Hauck
I’m not dead! I’m just busy. Busy with work, mostly (but also a game: see below). It’s strange how when my main gig (commercial photography) is as slow as can be, I’m somehow the busiest I’ve been in years due to other jobs I’m using to fill in my downtime. In reality, I’m working far more hours for far less money, but as a freelancer with home repairs to make, I’ve gotta do something to pay the bills.
In the moments of downtime I have had lately before shaming myself to get back to work, I’ve been enjoying a new game called Subway Builder. It’s been fun to dream about what Chicago would be like if we had a loop line (yes, technically we have The Loop line, but let my imagination cook!). Also, I’ve really been enjoying taking the train more often lately. Hell, I’ve been falling for Chicago in many ways lately. I should write more about that if I can find the time between rolling out new train lines and editing month old photos.
-Clayton
2025 08 14
You said it, man. Chicago, Illinois. May, 2025. © Clayton Hauck
This tag spoke to me, as I passed by in a hurry to get to one of my various side hustle jobs. I’m clearly doing too much. Spreading myself too thin. Whether this is the right decision or not, I don’t yet know, but it feels quite necessary if I want to stick with photography as my job (as I do).
This also reminded me of my friend, Don’t Fret. He unexpectedly passed away earlier this year and I don’t think I’ve fully comprehended the fact that he’s no longer here. Often, we focus far too much on moving, moving, moving. And not enough on Being Present, as he would advise through his art.
I worked long hours Monday thru Thursday this week. While stopping one morning to grab a coffee and breakfast sandwich at a Starbucks, before most other coffee shops were open, the scene was stark: The pickup counter was full of caffeinated beverages waiting to be picked up. I ordered at the counter, and while I waited for my cold brew, I watched an endless flow of human drones with sleep in their eyes walk in, grab their order, and head off into the workday.
Reminder: it is important to be present
-Clayton
2025 01 30
I EXIST!
I used to joke that street tags could all be translated to “I exist!”
These days, we’re all steeet tagging digitally through the social apps we used, being forced to constantly remind the world we exist in a desperate plea to please the almighty algorithm and gain a sliver on traction in the attention economy we live in. It’s exhausting.
I walk this stretch often and watched the artist spend days painting this mural. Then the tags go up in an instance, crowding out any detail and nuance. Tagging is very much an art form fit for our time. Do we really exist if nobody sees your post on socials or name sprayed on a side street wall?
-Clayton
Wall filled with -a-r-t- tags. Chicago, Illinois. November, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
I EXIST!
I used to joke that street tags could all be translated to “I exist!”
These days, we’re all street tagging digitally through the social apps we use, being forced to constantly remind the world we exist in a desperate plea to please the almighty algorithm and gain a sliver on traction in the attention economy we live in. It’s exhausting.
I walk this stretch often and watched the artist spend days painting this mural. Then the tags go up in an instance, crowding out any detail and nuance. Tagging is very much an art form fit for our time. Do we really exist if nobody sees our post on social or name sprayed on a side street wall? Maybe not, after all.
Like, comment, subscribe, and come back tomorrow for more gem takes like this.
-Clayton
2025 01 08
Not dead! Chicago, Illinois. November, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
I’ve had local news coverage from LA on in the background all day today. It’s such a devastating, surreal, grim situation out there. Not sure what else to say about it aside from wish the best of luck for the safety of everyone out there. Fire is terrifying itself but fire mixed with intense wind is something else completely. Nothing you can do but pray. I can’t stop wondering how this started and thinking that it could’ve been one person that sparked the madness, whether maliciously or accidentally, which led to so much loss.
-Clayton