2025 08 20
Free chair (free advice). Chicago, Illinois. December, 2022. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Agency. Itās something that, when I look back, seems to account for quite a lot of my success through the years. I donāt think itās even something Iāve actively worked to improve. Maybe itās luck, maybe itās learned, probably itās a bit of both.
Iām not going to write some big in-depth blog post about how valuable agency is today, but instead Iād like to link to two things I ingested that both made me feel slightly better about our mostly-automated futures and felt like valuable calls to actions in a way that might help me improve on myself (and perhaps you, too).
First, a recent favorite thinker of mine, Cate Hall, dedicated her Ted Talk to the subject. You can watch that talk here.
Second, a web search of the quote she mentioned in the talk led me to this blog post, which does a nice job of summing things up from a tech perspective.
And now I get back to getting shit doneā¦ how agentic of me.
-Clayton
2025 08 19
Itās me (Covid free)! See You Soon, Chicago, Illinois. December, 2022. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Iām on day it feels like twelve of having covid but it seems like Iām about out of the woods (* knocks on wood *ā¦long covid terrifies me). One upside to being sick for a week is that Iāve had a lot of downtime. Iāve put much of that towards building (yet another) website for our Realm photobook popup. Iām aiming to get a soft launch up in the next week or so, and will drop the info here when itās live.
One really exciting benefit to putting all of this time into selling other peoplesā photography is that Iām schooling myself on many things I didnāt know that I shouldāve known. Having somewhat neglected the photo world (esp the fine art part of it) for many years myself, itās been refreshing to jump back in headfirst and fully submerge myself in all-things-photography. My inspiration levels are quite high, and while I have no shortage of images to share currently, Iām still quite excited to get back out and make new work exploring new areas of the field.
-Clayton
2025 08 18
Fancy frog artwork of Ellie Pritts. Chicago, Illinois. May, 2025. Ā© Clayton Hauck
As I continue to be couch-ridden as my body rids itself of this yearās Covid variety, my intake of random youtube videos remains steady. This video (below) popped into my feed likely due to the camera tech review, which I could care less about, but Iām glad it did! Yes, the technology is remarkable. Iāve been itching to play with a probe lens for years now (second in excitement only to my urge to shoot anamorphic lenses). While these things get me excited, they are also telling (to me). The simple fact that I have not made the effort to make it happen, to shoot some videos with probes and squished video, tells me that my level of passion isnāt quite there (compared to still photography). This is not to say things may change, but after some recent efforts to get back into shooting motion again, itās the editing step that is a roadblock for me. My brain and my body resisting at all costs because it knows. It has been there before. Trapped in a room all hours of the day, as days stretch into weeks and time passes without your participation in it.
The other takeaway was less personal and more from a broad industry-perspective. The tools available now to even the casual shooter are remarkable. This trend will only continue, further eroding the previously-huge advantage high-end photo and video makers once had. It used to be wildly difficult and even more expensive to produce the level of quality casual youtube kids are now dropping weekly. With that, of course, comes the further reduction in rates being paid to execute this work for the people who want it made (which is also increasingly less as ad spend dollars move more and more to social media native content).
All that said, check out the video they put together with this cool tech! Itās really impressive, even with the faux-Attenborough VO (which also enforces my sentiments, I think).
-Clayton
2025 08 17
Skyline at sunset as seen from the Ike. Chicago, Illinois. May, 2025. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Itās an always-elusive sight: the Chicago skyline as youāre driving back into town, the setting sun low on the horizon, bouncing light off the massive towers of glass and steel back into your direction. Lit up brilliantly, contrasted by the almost-nightās sky in the space beyond, the sight is elusive because managing to capture its brilliance in a photo is near impossible. For me, itās more of a feeling I get at this time of day. People are on the move, going places and doing things. Thereās an energy in the air. Aside from the traffic that comes along with it, itās my favorite time of day to be in a big city.
While sitting on the couch recovering from Covid, youtube served me the video below and it brought a big smile to my face. As a hopeless cheerleader for the city of Chicago, itās very cool to see creative young people doing all of the things I myself wish to do. If only I was a bit younger, Iād start a magazine. If only I had a bit more time on my hands, Iād get a creative agency going. I shouldnāt sell myself too short, Iām doing plenty of cool things (imo), but thereās a definitive feeling of being old and out of touch that often holds me back these days. Play to your strengths, I tell myself. Get started on that epic Sears Roebuck & Company biopic screenplay, I tell myself. Jokes?
-Clayton
2025 08 16
That Tiny House. Chicago, Illinois. August, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
I think itās time to start a new ongoing series. That Tiny House. You may know it, you probably donāt love it as much as I do, but there she is!
In other news, I got Covid. In other other news, I think I may ditch this blog platformā¦ itās both a poor way to showcase my writing and a bad platform for sharing images. But yet another personal project is not what I need right now, so weāll stick with it for the time being.
-Clayton
2025 08 15
I can do some donuts, but should I mow the lawn? Dodgeville, Wisconsin. April, 2025. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Can vs Should
I think one of the big secrets of life is finding the balance between what can you do and what should you do. Maybe this is an obvious observation, but my sense tells me that far too many of us exist quite firmly within one mindset or the other.
On my commute to work today, I waited to cross a busy street downtown while two fellow humans waited alongside me. Well before the walk sign told us it was okay to continue onward, one of the fellow humans took off, wildly swaying his arms as if conducting a symphony none of us could hear. The other fellow human decided this behavior was unacceptable and shouted at him in a scolding manner. Faced with two differing perspectives of the situation in front of me, my immediate response was to side with the guy now half way across the street, enjoying his morning and getting to his destination faster than us, while simultaneously acknowledging the rule-follower that I, too, noticed the weird scenario playing out in front of us. We bonded and I let him be acknowledged, but inside I knew the other guy had things figured out.
This is not to say that Iām some kind of special person capable of playing both sides of the field. This is not to say that Iām standing on flimsy morals, incapable of choosing a side and standing firm. Instead, I would argue that itās good practice to live a bit in both worlds. To be the human who can appreciate wacky behavior while understanding the rent still comes due at the end of the month.
Can I: fuck around, make noise, drink and eat, slack off, do dumb shit, play, experiment, go for broke
Should I: make nice, be polite, do what Iām told, be responsible, save up and plan ahead, pay my taxes
Why not do both? Perhaps Iām half-assing my way through life, but this is my method. When Iām spending a bit too much time coloring within the lines, I then need to remember to paint a suit with grass.
āThereās a fine line between being a kook and being an artist, and I definitely trample it as much as I can.ā
-Gene Pool Harding
(via Meaghan Garveyās SCARY COOL SAD GOODBYE 78)
-Clayton
2025 08 14
You said it, man. Chicago, Illinois. May, 2025. Ā© Clayton Hauck
This tag spoke to me, as I passed by in a hurry to get to one of my various side hustle jobs. Iām clearly doing too much. Spreading myself too thin. Whether this is the right decision or not, I donāt 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, Donāt Fret. He unexpectedly passed away earlier this year and I donāt think Iāve fully comprehended the fact that heās 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 08 13
Kenneth. Petzval lens testing. Chicago, Illinois. February, 2025. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Testing a fun new lens out at the dark bar. I shot a lot of video, as well, which Iāve promptly done nothing with. Classic me!
-Clayton
2025 08 12
City jail. Chicago, Illinois. May, 2025. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Lately Iāve been wondering if maybe a normal-person job might be a good idea. Something regular and consistent to help us pay the bills, replace the air conditioner, roof, oven, have health insurance. Itās frustrating to put so much of your life into a thing (photography) and have everything change so much in your prime living years. This isnāt new, though. When I was the young photographer, itās the same exact thing that was happening to the older shooters I then looked up to; I know nobody is out there feeling sorry for me.
This week, however, my photo gigs have been relentless. Much like a normal-person job: I wake up, walk the dog, go to work, head home, eat, watch a show or two, go to sleep, wake up and repeat. Itās a nice reminder that this relentless use of my time is something I hope to avoid, if at all possible. Trading your life for a paycheck. Itās complicated, obviously, but I think weāll stick it out another year in the photography grind and see if we canāt continue to make it work.
Good luck out there.
-Clayton
2025 08 11
Catalpa in bloom. Chicago, Illinois. June, 2025. Ā© Clayton Hauck
The tree on our corner is a favorite of mine. This image reminded me that I have some video I was planning to cut together. Video, it seems, is always something Iām forgetting to cut togetherā¦
-Clayton
2025 08 09
Stop (the negativity)! Chicago, Illinois. May, 2025. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Nobody visited This Here Blog yesterday. While itās always sad when people donāt resonate with the things you put your time into, instead of being sad and negative about it, letās turn the tables and write some positive things (about photography) that are happening right now!
Nobody visited yesterday but I also didnāt post anything yesterday because I was busy working on a big project. The job is, realistically, larger than most professional photographers will book in their entire career. Okay, now weāre just braggingā¦
Nobody visited yesterday but usually a few people do, and thatās pretty cool! Anyone taking the time to look at what you are up to is amazing. I think social media has largely skewed our views towards engagement. If we are not putting up numbers in the thousands or millions, we are somehow failing. Yet if fifteen people stopped us on the street one day to say hello, weād be shocked and amazed.
This blog, even on days I fail, has been teaching me lessons about myself and how I manage and edit my images. I still have a long way to go, but Iām figuring out new systems to help me better organize my insane amounts of photos.
Sure itās been a challenge and perhaps wonāt be around forever, but the fact that I currently have an amazing studio that people really enjoy being in makes me happy.
Iām having more fun making images now than quite possibly at any other time in my career (not a negative thought, per se, but: my concern is that there is a correlation in this observation in that I am also the slowest Iāve ever been in my career from a paid assignments perspective. Maybe weāll dig more into this another day).
Iām exploring new things within the world of photography that I am really enjoying, namely: printing and learning all about the world of photobooks and publishing.
My list of ideas on projects I could be working on is growing so large itās overwhelming (maybe this isnāt good??). I guess it makes me feel good to continually have the inspiration to do things, despite the reality that time is always the limiting factor.
Anytime Iām on Instagram, I see many people using my images as their profile photo. As I get more into offering portrait shoots, this is a nice little thing that helps keep me motivated.
Not photo related but: Iāve cut out most news and politics from my life and have put much more time into reading books and watching movies, which very much helps my creativity.
Thanks for stopping by!
-Clayton
2025 08 07
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Wilmington, Illinois. June, 2024. Ā© Clayton Hauck
While weāve long ago rid our land of all of itās natural habitat, itās nice that weāre at least putting minimal effort into restoring a few scraps back to what it kinda sorta once was. Directly behind me in this image is a bomb bunker (see: 2025 05 19).
-Clayton
2025 08 06
Haley and the barn. Kingdom, Illinois. July, 2025. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Iāve always been fascinated by how people exteeeeend words audibly while saying a list of things they want to feel more impactful. āIām so busy! I have to waaaaalk the dooooog, cleeeean the baaaathroom; thereās just no time!ā When I was a kid, I recall being in the kitchen with my mom and her friend. The woman did this while listing off some things in mundane conversation and I called her out on it. Not in a judgy way, but more so asking if theyād ever noticed how everyone does this. I remember her reaction being quite lackluster, to my astonishment. āYeah, I guess youāre right,ā she said, most likely.
Anyway, back to work. I have a loooot of important things to do today.
-Clayton
2025 08 04
Salt Shed. Chicago, Illinois. April, 2025. Ā© Clayton Hauck
Sometimes you leave the house and realize thereās a whole world of things happening. Often, when out, I get the sense that I really should be getting out more. But then I quickly rediscover my house and stay there for weeks or months on end.
I used to leave the house all of the time! This year, Lollapalooza came and went and I hardly even noticed it happening. Iād get more into this, from a photographer-that-used-to-be-there-every-yearās perspective, but I honestly donāt think itās worth my time or yours.
See you out there!
-Clayton
2025 08 03
Meijer in an unknown location, but likely Indiana. November, 2022. Ā© Clayton Hauck
If youāre paying attention, you mightāve noticed some images in recent days which were made back in late 2022. Iāve been digging through work made with my Ricoh (most of the images on this here blog are from one of my two Ricohs) in an effort to print some kind of zine/booklet situation. What, exactly, it will be is still unclear, however, it will definitely be a showcase of my personal photography and writing.
Unrelatedly, today my sister texted me a photo of the two booklets I made a decade prior. Those were less-so my own work and instead featured various things Iād read over the past year, which I wanted to share with friends. This time, Iāll be sharing my own work instead of stealing things from others and reproducing them. One regret is not doing this sooner. Another regret is not continuing the tradition of printing things, whatever they may be, and sharing them with friends. I guess Iāve got some time to make up for and friends to make.
-Clayton
2025 08 02
Wilson. Wilmette, Illinois. November, 2022. Ā© Clayton Hauck
āHauck shares similarities with photographers like Alec Soth, whose work blends documentary with personal storytelling, though Hauck's style is less polished and more improvisational.ā -Grok
I asked ai to analyze this here blog, which Iāve sunk a pretty significant amount of my time into over the last two years. In about two seconds, Grok got back to me with a thorough and quite accurate analysis, including many quotes and examples, from the five-hundred or so blog entries Iāve made. Iām not quite sure what to think of this, however, I do now have a fun tool to help me write flattering quotes about myself and my work to help make me look cool.
-Clayton āSoth-Like But Less Polishedā Hauck