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.

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

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

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. . .‘

This is her home back in yonder days.

So much cool stuff to shoot, it’s a photographer’s paradise.

Desi, her boyfriend, has great taste in music.

Makes me wish I still had my own Technics turntable hooked up.

My outfit still works but the amp blew sometime back. Great to see Desi’s keeping it real though.

Nothing sounds as good as vinyl in a well-lit room.

Scorpion and Cobra Tequila one procured in Vietnam probably doesn’t hurt either.

A painting of Leyla by Desi after sipping Cobra Tequila.

All the tequila, music and pups in the room have led to the plants taking their lives into their own hands . . .

. . . reaching for that beautiful window light. While here, I laid on my back and pretended to be one of Leyla’s pampered pooches.

In fact, here’s Benita aka “Benny.” The new addition to the family.

And this is Leyla reaching down to pet Koda: the friendliest, kindest dog I’ve ever known.

Here’s my friend looking over at Leyla for something, a treat maybe . . .

. . . oh, nope. It’s just to remind her of all the hair on her butt.

More always,

Mike

Me shot by friend and colleague, John Keatley in early February.

That next week of February, I was out on Capitol Hill doing pre-pro for a job and came across this gent looking at an amoebic shape, that or the hole in his chest.

Around the same time, I photographed Jenna’s father’s law firm: Montgomery, Scarp, MacDougal.

In the middle part of February, I stabbed myself in the neck in my haste to do something. “The untold dangers of wearing pens in the collars of one’s shirt,” taken by Lionel, Mr. iPhone.

Also did a two-week truck shoot, and all I managed was this camera phone pic by Lionel, Mr. iPhone in a dimly-lit Pacific Grip and Lighting.

Straight from the truck shoot, went aboard an Adidas job happening over on the Olympic Peninsula and in Seattle proper.

Was in Props/Art Dept. on this one.

Had the great fortune of working with Mr. Dominic Muller of Gus Creative.

The bare necessities, part 1.

The bare necessities, part 2.

My muse.

A stylist’s handbag.

Finally got my custom-made specs from dear friend, Scott Urban of Urban Spectacles of Wood.

Me in Urban Spectacles shot by Tommy Clark.

Yeah that’s me in a Masonic Grandmaster’s Hat. Don’t look too hard as my brain explodes after this. . .

Sorry I’ve been incognito as of late, but I’m back in full force. February has been a mad cover-up of jobs after taking January off to grieve for lost loved ones:

The pretty smiling ladies above are from the era of one Nellie Mae Pittman who passed in late January. She was my grandmother and the coolest girl on two feet! She used to let me watch HBO when I was four and taught me everything I know in the kitchen. . . Much love to you Nanny!

A two-week car shoot and an upcoming Adidas job has had me buried as of late, but I’m hoping to post current projects very soon. . . Amanda, don’t kill me. . .

More soon,

Mike

Thought I’d show you how hectic it’s been over the last couple weeks by taking a look at my desktop.

I’m really not the kind of cat that goes off and let’s his desktop go to pot. Better still, I’m not one that goes off and does the kind of thing I’m about to disclose, but what the heck . . . I just made me a desktop folder and threw everything in it. Yes, that’s right ’88 Econoline-style.

After doing so, my mind is ten times sharper, and I’m getting things done in lightning speed. I feel like Clark Kent/Superman as if Lois Lane were coming over for dinner and I’ve got five minutes to prepare. Which to me, Superman, is more than enough time to do the dishes, change the sheets, cook poultry with my laser beam eye capability and make fresh churned ice cream with the aid of blizzard-cold breath.

Nowhere near as harrowing, but I did pull some imagery together for the annual ASMP Seattle slideshow highlighting the work from our membership here in the Pacific NW. Below is my submission in beautiful, rolling .gif animation.

In other news, be on the lookout for a relaunch of my website showcasing an updated portfolio. After working very closely with Amanda Sosa-Stone last month, I’ll soon be adding new work along with some gems that were hidden in the rough. Super excited by the collaboration, and I’m eager to see how things continue to pan out during the year.

On a personal note, I’ll soon be in possession of a slick, new pair of hand-carved wooden spectacles from my close friend and colleague Mr. Scott Urban of Urban Spectacles of Wood. Heading out there in several months to shoot his lookbook, but in the meantime, he sent me a couple mockups.

Think they’re about 5-10% too small, but I’m just happy to have a new pair after being without since June when some crafty kids on an Ecuadorian bus lifted my other frames.

More always,

Mike

I can’t say it looks all that futuristic to me, but I am indeed rocking the Jetsetters/George Jetson T-shirt from Dope Couture I got a couple months back. Why? Because I’m hoping to be wearing hater blockers more and more on account of how bright I hope 2010 will prove to be.

Seen above is me accompanied by my camera case riding shotty in first class. Why you ask? Because that’s what 2010 is about. Respecting and pampering my photographic vision and style.

There have been quite a number of developments over the last couple months, so I’ll just jump right in and start going down the line.

1) I was not even in Seattle at all during mid-to-late November in through early-to-mid December. During that time I was in: Miami->Chicago->DC, then back to Seattle for Thanksgiving. Then the next week it was Boston->New York->Los Angeles, then back to Seattle at the first of December.

First week of December had me in New Brunswick, NJ and right outside of Houston, TX where I picked up this fat T-shirt from Buc-EE’s. The girl who we made our purchase from said ‘Buc-EE’s is like the best gas station I’ve ever been to. . .’ and I whole-heartedly agree random gas clerk:

That’s me above in Buc-ee’s regalia in my last week of work in December in Hartford, CT. When I got back to Seattle, it was right on the next plane out for some much needed Holiday family time with my parents, brother and grandmother in Alabama.

2) While in New York, I got word that the Brand Identity and System conjured up with Tim Lahan was written up on the esteemed Heather Morton Art Buyer Blog, and subsequently picked up by Rob Haggert (A Photo Editor) and Chase Jarvis.

Above are a few images of the system in action and how it will look when in the hands of potential clients.

3) I’m working with the amazing consultant, Amanda Sosa-Stone on my marketing plan for 2010 and a tighter edit of my portfolio. Our first phone meeting last week was amazing and already I’ve gotten some amazing insight on where I stand and where I need to go. Stay tuned for further updates.

4) Yes, I have indeed been shooting. In fact, here are a few images from the last several weeks for your bemusement:

Portrait of a Portrait of Scott Urban, Chicago. 2009.

In the Workshop of Scott Urban, Chicago. 2009.

Texas Lunch. 2009.

My Dad (in Personal Garage/Playpen/Sandbox/Laboratory). 2009.

Laura #1. 2009.

Laura #2. 2009.

Outtake (Stephen). 2009.

Karaoke Outtake (Josh Collins). 2009.

That’s about it for now mein Freunds. Keep checking back for updates and late breaking news from the Office of Michael Clinard, General Photography. Here’s to a hard rocking, fruitful and happening 2010!

More always,
Mike