Outtake from a recent editorial project. Easily one of the more interesting folks I’ve ever worked with/directed.
Tag Archives: Portraits
April Spiel Prom Photos
A buddy of mine and his wife had me out to the Granite Curling Club in gloomy Seattle a couple weekends back for their annual Bon Spiel.
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
Mouth Watering Rainbows
I’ve been at it again. . .
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
Hors d’œuvre to the Entree
Hard at work on a smattering of new projects, so I’ll be sharing them soon.
The above production still was taken while covering a couple tech entrepreneurs in the South Lake Union area of Seattle. Wish I could share the results, but you’ll have to tune in a few weeks from now. . . (no need to sniffle about it [hint, hint]).
In the meantime, guess I forgot to share some exciting news in that my image of the Harrisons is now traveling around in the 2010 Smashbox Face/Off competition.
Couldn’t make it down in time to see it installed, but this guy was clearly mugging as a means to draw atttention to my work.
Much appreciation for that, bro.
More soon,
Mike
So long 2010. Hello 2011 and beyond
2010 has been a great year for me:
1) got married to the most beautiful woman in the world.
2) been making great headway with my photography after my trip to New York.
(above is my first feature! shot for Benjamen Purvis and Seattle Met magazine. . . more on that in a later post.)
3) am to a point in my life where I feel super content and relaxed (sorry, I couldn’t resist using the image below for those who know my freneticism and inclination toward lateral thinking).
I’m very thankful to have a supportive network of friends, loved ones and terribly creative colleagues. I’m excited to see what the new year holds and wish each and everyone the best in 2011.
I’ve been shooting a host of new personal projects and exciting assignments, so stay tuned in the coming weeks for updates.
More soon,
Mike
Photographed President Obama
Was making my way home yesterday morning after wrapping up a quick editorial job and was confronted with traffic barricade after traffic barricade in our little neighborhood of Wedgwood.
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.’
Portrait of Ron Miller
With today being America’s Independence Day weekend, figured it appropriate to hit everyone with an armed services-related post.
Couple months back, I had a lull in work travels and made some time to photograph Ron Miller, the former Naval Commanding Officer at Magnuson/Sand Point here in Seattle.
Before getting in studio, I was lucky enough to hear stories and tour his old offices in what is now ‘Building 30,’ a multi-use complex that hosts a number of community events here in Seattle.
The ballroom floor above no doubt saw quite a bit of traffic, and as he reminisced about the good ole’ days, Ron revealed a number of old cassettes buried deep in his bomber jacket. Apparently, they contained the daily motivational speeches he was often known to give to his newer recruits.
One title, “Prescription for Relief from Stress” was a favorite. **(As an aside: some days later, I received a compendium of these speeches in printed form. . .)
While it’s sad to admit that Building 30 now lays in a state of semi-disrepair, there’s quite a bit of community effort to preserve it by transforming it to artists’ studios and small naval museum. The image above shows an installation undertaken by a number of Magnuson Park artists as a means to draw attention to the building’s state.
Either way, it’d be great to breathe new life into 30 and get someone else in there besides the ducks.
As we made our way out, I couldn’t help but notice Ron’s sweet bomber jacket.
Asked him about picking one up in a large, but was informed that it only came in two sizes, 1) no and 2) just Ron’s.
Much appreciation to Ron for taking the time to sit for me. Happy Fourth to everyone!
More always,
Mike
A Portrait as Michael Clinard
So I’m starting this new series that’s a little kooky.
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. . .‘
“Doing Math in Your Head” series
I’ve had an idea knocking around for quite some time about a portrait series showing folks doing simple math in their head. Think I was interested in the idea that no matter how comfortable you are at computing digits in the brain, the simple act can indeed yield some interesting portrait results.*
Seen above is Muna, a graphic design friend kind enough to sit for me as the first subject of the day. I realized pretty quickly that math was not Muna’s strong suit, and she had no problem telling me about it. Wanted to push it another layer, so I got a few more folks into the studio who do math pretty much the entire day.
This is Kasey, my favorite teller from the local bank where I do most of my financial business. They’re the nicest folks and when I ran the idea by them, they jumped at the idea of sitting for these left-of-center portraits.
Here’s Cat, manager of the bank. She was always at me about getting that business account. When I came through on that for her, I told her she owed me one. She’s a sport and delivered quite exceptionally on that promise.
And finally, Sam, the lone guy at the bank. Don’t think he’s smiling because there’s a 5:1 ratio of guys to girls. Oh no, it’s because he was the quickest calculator in the bunch.
Several interesting projects in the works, so stay tuned for new posts over the next couple weeks.
More always,
Mike
*quick note on the project: the left panel image was captured from behind the camera by way of cable release. The right panel image was captured about a half-second to second after by way of ‘capture’ button on a tethered laptop by a completely different DSLR system set up in profile to my subject. Diptychs composed from chronologically symmetrically-sequenced images from either capture system.
Separated at Birth
Been rather busy with projects, so excuse the lack of posts.
Working on a lookbook today for Jackstraw down on First Avenue here in Seattle and had to post these outtakes.
Should mention that John, the gentleman on the right, was kind enough to ask me for some of my photos to put up in the store. If you’re in the neighborhood, come through and check ‘em out.
I’ll have some rather great updates on recent projects and exciting personal things in the very near future so stay tuned.
More soon,
Clinard