For the past 25 years I have worked as a fashion photographer, and occasionally a celebrity portrait photographer. I was first exposed to the world of skateboarding through my friend and roommate, professional skater, John Grigley in 2018. When I expressed interest in taking portraits of skaters, he immediately agreed to help me and made introductions to some of his friends, allowing me access to this world. One thing led to another and soon I would begin heading to skate parks on my own. I made weekly, sometimes daily visits to the skate parks of NYC. For the first time in my long career, I feel like I’m taking the photographs that I’ve always wanted to take in my ongoing series, ‘Skate-Homies’. My work is inspired by Richard Avedon’s body of work in the ‘American West’.

 

On a technical note, I particularly enjoy the immediacy of working alone without an assistant. I prefer to use a simple setup which allows me to quickly establish a rapport with my subjects. I intend this body of work to be open-ended and will continue taking portraits of skateboarders and look forward to bringing it into book form.

 

From an early age on I had a fascination with tattoos. My uncle had a very primitive one from when he was in prison and I thought it was the coolest thing. Back then you didn’t see a lot of tattoos, at least where I lived. In 2022 I started visiting tattoo conventions, motorcycle rallies and Hardcore music venues to take portraits. I found that these new subjects, a sub culture onto its own, were more than happy to be photographed, since they took pride in their appearance and body modification.

 

In early 2024 I found employment at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a security guard I became interested in photographing my colleagues, fellow security guards. This project would not have happened without the support of the MET Chief Security Officer, Regina Lombardo. I am grateful for her support in encouraging me to pursue my passion for portraiture. The people I photographed have been, without exception, very kind and generous with their time. There have been four exhibitions so far, this being the fifth one. I have self published three volumes of Skate-Homies and the fourth volume will drop this Fall. It will never cease to amaze me when people afford me a glimpse into their inner lives, however brief it may be.

 

Clarence K.