About Clarence K
“These are raw, honest portraits of skaters in their element; they are gritty and beautiful all at once. I am honored to be included.”
“Since day one, the skateboarding culture has viewed life differently than everyone else. It’s always been blind to race, gender and age. It’s produced the most forward thinking people on the planet. Even now as it has grown into astronomical proportions it still keeps the same core values. It’s the most modern tribe on the planet and If you skate you understand what this means. Photographer Clarence K has captured today’s New York City skater in the most honest and realist way.”
Clarence and his daughter Tallulah
BIO
I was first exposed to the world of skateboarding through my friend and roommate, professional skater John Grigley. When I expressed an interest in taking portraits at skate parks, he immediately agreed to help me and made introductions to a few of his friends. Through these connections I gained access to this new world. One thing led to another, and I soon began heading to skate parks on my own. I would make weekly, sometimes daily visits to the skate parks of NYC. The people I have photographed have been without exception, very kind and generous with their time.
For the past 25 years, I have worked as a fashion photographer, and occasionally a celebrity portrait photographer, though my passion was in portraiture. For the first time in my long career, I feel like I am taking the photographs that I’ve always wanted to take.
On a technical note, I particularly enjoy the immediacy of working alone without an assistant. I prefer to use a simple set up which allows me to quickly establish a rapport with my subject. This body of work is inspired by Richard Avedon’s In the American West.
This artistic journey has culminated in three gallery shows as well as three books.
- Clarence K.
Learn more about Clarence’s story
Buy Clarence K’s ‘Skate-Homies’ pictures here.
View more of his commercial work on his website