A Little About Me

  My name is Jack Clay, and I am a Minnesota based artist and a high school student. I love to travel, I grew up camping, climbing trees and looking for animals in northern Minnesota. I believe the best things in life can be found in nature, so landscape photography came naturally to me. I was the kid who much preferred building sandcastles next to the ocean instead of going to Disney world. I had my own kayak and snow shoes at 6. Ive always loved trees and loons and being in nature any chance I can get. I chose my college based on its proximity to the wild untamed beauty of northern Minnesota. Growing up, my parents were really into travel and adventure. When it was possible, we would take trips to National Parks in the summer, Glacier, Yosemite The Bad Lands. I was around 14 when I started filling up my phone with photos. Instead of selfies, I would try to capture the night sky with its million stars by using a slow shutter speed. Dapples of light through a tree canopy landing on a waterfall or of an owl if I was lucky. I bought my first real digital camera when I was 15. My parents and I were in California for a wedding in Lake Tahoe then heading to Yosemite. It just so happened that the Nikon D5600 I’d been saving for was at a store on the way. Since then, I’ve been able to add a few new lenses, and film cameras. I have several trips planned for after High School Graduation where I’m excited to play around with different types of film.

I think what I enjoy most about photography Is being able to capture the beauty of whats right in front of me. With selling my photographs, my hope is that people will enjoy the beauty I was able to capture by either reminiscing on a view they may have already had, or inspire that customer to go see that place for themself. The world is a beautiful place.  

Why Photography is Special

Photography is not just about capturing moments, it's about preserving memories, telling stories and expressing emotions. As an art form, it holds an importance in our lives and society at large. Photography serves as a powerful medium to document the world around us, from historical events to everyday moments, photographs stop time, allowing us to revisit the past. Through the lens of a camera, people can capture the feeling of a moment, preserving it for generations to come. Photography offers endless possibilities for creative expression. Artists use lighting, color, and perspective to convey their vision and produce emotions in viewers. Whether it's capturing the play of light and shadow in a landscape or the emotion of a portrait, photography enables artists to express themselves in unique and compelling ways.

 Photographs have the power to communicate ideas, convey messages, and tell stories without words. A single image can speak volumes, sparking conversations and inspiring change. Photojournalists for example use their skills to shine a light on important issues, giving a voice to those who dont have one and bringing attention to pressing social issues. Photography serves as a means of preserving memories and moments that would otherwise fade with time. From family gatherings to milestone events, photographs allow us to relive cherished memories and share them with future generations. They serve as a link to the past, connecting us to our roots and preserving our history. Photography encourages exploration and discovery, both of the world around us and our own creativity. Through the act of framing and capturing images, photographers develop a heightened awareness of their surroundings, discovering beauty in the mundane and uncovering hidden perspectives. It encourages us to see the world with fresh eyes and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. 

Photography plays a very important role in documenting cultural heritage and historical events. From iconic images that define time periods to personal snapshots that capture everyday life, photographs provide valuable insights into the past. They serve as a visual record of human experience preserving traditions, customs, and moments of triumph and adversity. Photography is more than just a technical skill or a hobby, it's a powerful art form that enriches our lives, fosters creativity, and connects us to the world and each other in profound ways.