The image above was taken of her at four days old. At a weight of 8 lbs, 2.5 oz and 20.5 inches in length, she came into this world kicking and screaming at 7:07pm on September 23rd. I really can’t explain the joy her presence has brought to my wife and I. We’re a unit now — a family — and it’s extremely profound.

The moment she was born, everything turned bright white and hot for me, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I body wept. . .

In truth, having a child is amazing, exhausing, beautiful, tense, inspiring, tiresome, lovely, frustrating, and cute all rolled into one.

For many months, she was just was Mochiko to us — a nickname given to her by my wife’s co-worker Ruby DeLuna, a reporter at KUOW 94.9 Public Radio Seattle (thanks to Serene, Jemma and staff for the cute onesie above!). Now that she’s really here?! Whoa. . . look out!

The image above is her signature ‘one eye open with contemplative fist under chin’ pose. As I attempt to slowly work my sleepy-time magic on her, out of nowhere, she’s pulls this out and is like ‘ha, got you sucker. . . i’m still awake!’ She then dozes back off a second later. . .

We’ve got really amazing support that consists of family and friends, so the transition to parenthood has been rather smooth. Just in the last three weeks, she’s met countless friends, her Great Grandma, Grandma and Grandpa and her Auntie Mags — all on her mom’s side. In a few short days, she meets her other set of Grandparents when my own folks come into Seattle from Bama.

Tala and I thank you for checking out this post. She and I recommend that you check back soon as I’ve got a host of entries in the queue regarding recent projects for Canada’s Globe and Mail, Fortune Magazine, Mental_Floss Magazine and a pretty cool ad campaign for Seattle’s Experience Music Project that’s everywhere around Seattle right now.

More soon,

Pops Clinard

Gabrielle’s House – Wallingford, Seattle.

Down by the Water – Magnuson Park, Seattle.

Gail and her fancy note-taking abilities – Varsity Inn, Seattle.

Apple Lisa Computer – RE-PC, Seattle.

Ecuador vs. Mexico Game – Qwest (now CenturyLink) Field, Seattle

Wall in Seattle – Lake Union, Seattle.

Prep for Phoot Camp – The Lab (aka my Studio), Seattle.

The Sticky (w/ Laura Healy for Seattle Met Feature) – The Lab (aka my Studio) Seattle.

Spadaccini’s Pad – Capitol Hill, Seattle.

Pretty Pink Packing Peanuts (Reprise. . . I did an art project with these back in the day) – Kill Room, Seattle.

Jim Pridgeon’s Studio – Bldg 11, Seattle.

Proscenium Stage – Bldg 11, Seattle.

Dinner with the Quadd’s – Captiol Hill, Seattle.

NYC Daze – NYC, NY.

Tara aka “T-bone” of Thom Browne – NYC, NY.

Our lighting is otherworldly and defies physcis – Studio in SODO, Seattle.

Saw my first Sounders Game – Qwest (now CenturyLink) Field, Seattle.

I shot Charlie Sheen – International District, Seattle.

Those New Duct Tape Nikes finally dropped – Breezeway, Seattle.

Way to get born USA – Northgate, Seattle.

The World – Convention Center, Seattle.

Summer Wedding Duds – Arboretum, Seattle.

Lowriders – Magnuson Park, Seattle.

Knoxville, TN

Porn in the South (Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops Catalogs)

Washington, DC (Reagan Airport?)

Parking Lot – Washington, DC.

Spoiled kid picking his boogers – In-the-air, DC to MSP.

Display and Costume – Northgate, Seattle.

Metaphor for sumpthin’ – Bldg 11, Seattle.

Lindsey Watkins prepping Andrea Clinkscales for ‘Can’t Look Away’ Branding imagery – SIFF Theater, Seattle.

Inflated Heart – Wedgwood, Seattle.

Red Green – University District, Seattle.

Photographer at Space Needle – Lake Union, Seattle.

Bags Pickup – Airport in Baltimore, MD.

At a Wal-Mart in Baltimore, MD.

The Hugest Crab Cakes Ever – Baltimore, MD.

At a party – Bellevue, WA.

Old Hand-painted Signage – Capitol Hill, Seattle.

John Galliano shopping at Costco – Shoreline, WA.

In n’ Out Burger – San Diego, CA.

Our House (where Dogs are Cats and Cats are Dogs) – Wedgwood, Seattle.

Chateau Ste. Michelle (for Jeff Bridges concert) – Woodinville, Seattle.

My wife sneaking cookies at Chateau Ste. Michelle. . .

Phew. I’ll have more posts very soon. Thanks for looking and enjoy the day off!

Clinard.

My work was recently shown at What if. . . in Chicago alongside such talented folks as Ryan Schude, Lauren Randolph and a host of others – some of which were from the Phoot Camp contigency I was recently a part of. Thanks to Mr. Paul Octavious (love that series of his with spinning LP’s) for the invitation.

I showed a diptych consisting of my ‘loaded,’ hand-forged-from-paper baked potato alongside my play-doh steak. You know, meat and potatoes go together. Seemed to have been a fun night with great art and drunk gingerbread men dancing. . .

My image of Joseph, the Illusionist is also on view at a group show called ‘Food’ at the Center for Fine Art Photography in Colorado. It was curated by Mr. David Bram of Fraction Magazine (that’s my image in the top left corner).

Oh. . . and if you’re in Seattle, swing by Jackstraw Filaments on 1st Avenue to see some more of my work.

More always,

Clinard

I’d often heard amazingly debaucherous/revelrous stories and when they said, ‘we got this annual prom thing we do and wonder if you’d like to do photos,’  I jumped at the opportunity.

Gotta admit I absolutely love the image above. To me, there’s a semi-presence to the whole thing that is as much of a portrait of the night as any other image might have been of the attendees.

Back when I graduated from Art School, my first job out was working for a high school picture place in Memphis, TN called Jimmy Alford Studios. Saw a host of crazy things then, and Benj (above) brought those memories flooding back.

The lad couldn’t hear much of my direction on account of 1) the loud music and 2) the associated fog brought on by adult beverages.

Of the funny things said, the most notable quote of the night was “my drinking team has a curling problem.” Enough of one I’d say to warrant an attack on the hapless disco ball that wore the battle scars in the form it’s missing glassed sections.

Much thanks to Granite Curling Club and all who allowed me to take their photos. . . god only know what mistakes were made that evening.

More always,

Mike

Just got off Whidbey Island working an interesting assignment, and my buddy Kristian and I spotted a Double Rainbow back enroute to Seattle via the Clinton – Mukilteo Ferry.

We were so giddy, no way we could resist jumping out and capturing the beauty. . .

Kristian’s like ‘yo make it so it’s going in my mouth, and I’m eating it. . .’

Yes sir, Kristian. Yes sir. Was so completely razzed about these, I just had to post straight away. . .

More always,

Clinard

Been awhile back but it might have been about 14 months ago when Bill started talking about the project over one of our many Burgermaster Power Lunch meetings. I said ‘go for it,’ and the rest is history.

So to honor his momentous feat documenting every single thing he ate for an entire year, we got together a couple days into the new year to celebrate the end of the project in pictures.

It’s been fun to see the Consumed project evolve and witness all the attention and whatnot he’s been getting over the last couple months. Must confess that I won’t miss waiting until Bill’s composed his shot from across the dinner table.

We can now dig into our scrumptious plates of Burgermaster goodness together and in synchronicity. Amen!

Not soon to forget the people that helped along the way, Bill gave credence to his wife’s fantastic cookie-making ability in this CBC interview. And yes, I too can attest, she’s a veritable baking savant when it comes to some of her cookie pairings. . .

Congrats again, friend. I say this is O.K.

Photo above by Bill Rugen

Was just in New York City a couple weeks back for a whirlwind/action-packed week.

In 8 days and 7 nights, I had 50+ portfolio meetings and sit-downs to discuss the work and my newly printed portfolio.

Was a super fruitful journey getting facetime with a number of industry professionals at the NYCFotoworks, PDN Reviews at the Javits and a few other meetings I was able to line up on my own.

Even met up with a few advocates/industry (bald) heads.

And this guy who was the absolute truth.

Also made it out for NYC’s Halloween parade where I met a cast of characters.

Halloween Parade was bananas.

In an attempt to decompress from that, I sought out some old friends, acquaintances and loved ones.

Friend time with the Mittenbergs in around Chinatown and Union Square.

Hung out with the Blizz to see the Giants win the World Series.

Family time with the Garcias and my mom’s sister.

Oh, and I shot a lot of trash.

And ate a lot of food.

Then wrapped it all up at the Jane Hotel.

Can’t wait to make it back. I’ll be hitting the blog with further updates and the like in the coming weeks, so keep them eyes peeled.

More soon,

Mike

Jokingly, I asked a stander-by if the President was in one of those houses to which she calmly replied, ‘yes.’ In a move straight of Nascar, I angled the car into the first available spot and joined the droves of anxious-ites willing to brave to the cold just to get a peek of the man himself and the baby elephant he was attempting to corral for a homeowner.

Below are a couple photos. It’s my hope that one day I’ll be closer than 30 yards away when capturing this stuff. . .

With a baby elephant on the loose, many folks showed up to catch a glimpse. They’d heard President Barack Obama was around, too.

People photographing the ‘Baby Elephant Containment Unit of Greater Seattle’ on NE 75th St and 40th Ave NE in Seattle.

The press junket was there looking ‘just so’ showing off this year’s must have item: laptop in transport to wherever you’re walking.

Mayor McGinn was in attendance and pulled out a Larabar he had in his biking shorts.

Gov. Christine Gregoire tried her best but was rushed away when her husband lobbied her for the Denny’s ‘all-you-can-eat’ breakfast buffet that ended at 11am.

President Barack Obama decided he’d come out and handle it. In fact was told later by a friend, that his exact words were “hold up, I got this.”

With the baby elephant back in it’s baby elephant sleeping quarters at the Foss residence, Obama decided he’d caravan over to UW’s HecEd and give a speech just for the ‘Hec’ of it.

People losing their minds over the President’s ability to handle baby elephant corralling.

Everyone disheartened by their inability to capture any photos of the baby elephant. Thankfully, they got a couple of the President ‘gettin’ it done.’

Above is an image of us after exchanging nuptials on August 22nd at Kubota Gardens here in Seattle. She’s stuck with me for six years after our first meeting in the photo lab at the University of Iowa while she pursued graduate studies in printmaking, I in photography/intermedia. Can’t imagine life without her by my side, for she’s a continual grounding force that inspires strength and stability each and every day.

In other news, and completely under the radar, I updated the website to coincide with an upcoming trip to NYC I’ll be making for portfolio meetings. If you catch a sec hit http://www.michaelclinard.com to see the website refresh.

Above is the virtual Rosetta Stone of the image names that made the cut and those that have now found their way into the archives. Many thanks to all who’ve been beta-testing it and lending thoughts, suggestions and ideas. Much appreciated.

Outside that, I recently made a trek through Eastern Washington to visit a sight I’ve longed to see since childhood: The Grand Coulee Dam. Hope you enjoy taking a gander at some of the images below.

Scorched Earth somewhere in Eastern WA.

Grand Coulee Dam itself. Walked out on to the edge of a cliff to nab this one. The visitors were awestruck by my dedication to capture an unfettered view of the dam.

Official historical marker that looks like it’s been taken a time or two.

Weird murals galore.

Weird mural galore, part 2.

Old sign telling of the nightly Laser Light show. Would’ve loved to stuck around but had to get home to the Mrs.

Says it all. This thing ain’t teeny weeny.

New friends I made on the tour of one of the power plants.

Drink the Kool-aid, just not the water.

For some reason, this reminds me of Woody Guthrie.

More soon,

Mike

Gave my buddy Knuteson a call and he was more than game to help me out.

Had a great time shooting it, and it’s fun to see the results.

Stay tuned as there should be more of these bad boys in the coming months.

More always,

Mike

postscript: Lucien says ‘sure, I can help you out on that, but you’re going to have to do something for me. . .‘