2026 02 18: Award-Nominated!

My Opportunity? Centralia, Illinois. January, 2026. © Clayton Hauck

I sometimes joke that I’m an “Award-Nominated Photographer.” It’s a cute dig at the world of Serious Photography, while letting you know that I don’t take myself too seriously. That said, I must admit that I’ve been having a bit of regret the last few days over my lack of engagement throughout my career. Living in my own world has its perks, but you gotta play the game a bit sometimes, too.

Early in my career, I attempted to do what you’re supposed to do. I was faced with rejection and made a decision that you can’t lose if you don’t play. This protected my ego for a time, but now that I’m an aging photographer posting to a blog with an audience that’s primarily Chinese ai-Bots, I gotta wonder if it was the right call. Okay, so that’s a harsh assessment. But in many ways, I’m back where I started in my photography career. I’m now focusing on things I want to focus on and doing things I want to do. This is giving me an opportunity, of sorts, to do things differently this time around. One of the things I aim to do is play the game. Not obsessively — I’ll never be that guy — but a little bit. Learn the names; meet the faces; submit to the awards and the grants; attend the shows.

You gotta play the game.

-Clayton