A Q&A with Clayton Nelson

They say a picture is worth a thousand words; it’s the doorway to the past, but a portal into the future. Acclaimed fashion photographer, Clayton Nelson has held near and dear to these mantras using his lens to depict a story through vivid imagery that frames one within a still in time. He conveys an emotion, invokes imagination and transcends the viewer into an alternate reality of the visual arts.Nelson is known as “one of the VERT best, PERIOD;” serving as both a fashion photographer and model scout where he serves in both mediums seamlessly. Commissioning Nelson you are guaranteed three important points: professionalism, perfection, and persistence.

RAINE: What are some tips that you have learned along the way that has contributed to you being a photographer? NELSON: In 1953, Pablo Picasso remarked to Lee Miller, “Art is but imitation.” In the artistic medium, everyone was influenced, by someone, or something. The “tips” that I have learned along the way came mostly from meticulous study of the “masters” of fashion photography. Most especially, Irving Penn, and Bruce Weber. I see them as being numbers one and two, in that order.RAINE: How has technology influenced the field of photography and where do you see things going?NELSON: The advent of digital photography has been both a blessing, and a curse. Those top level fashion photographers who either refused or were unable to embrace the new technological medium virtually crashed, and burned. The arts is about CHANGE. change is a 600 mph, 600 foot tall tidal wave. If you stand in front of it to oppose it, you will be swept away. Digital photography is now the accepted norm, and it is here, to stay. The upside is simply too great, to ignore. Film photography will always be around, as an art medium. I have kept my film cameras, and still occasionally shoot with film. The advertising field is still “feeling it’s way”, as regards digital photography. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, changed.RAINE: What branding rule do you live by?NELSON: The branding rule, that I live by: “Dare, do be DIFFERENT. Those who blindly follow, invariably FAIL.” Frances Grill once remarked. “Photographers crave new imagery.’ She was dead on correct.RAINE: What has been your greatest challenge to date as an entrepreneur and how did you overcome it?NELSON: In the fashion advertising community, nearly everyone “wants it, for nothing.” I learned that when you reach the point where you say, “No. Enough, is enough. Pay me.”, clients generally become disenchanted. They also tend to become more respectful.RAINE: What money advice has helped you on your journey as a creative artist?NELSON: Stay the course, stick to your guns. Negotiation is all a part of the process; at the same time, know your worth. Never, give it away for nothing.RAINE: Would you say your work as a “creator” has allowed great spiritual expression in your personal life?NELSON: Personally, I am a hard core atheist. The satisfaction I derive from “creation” is a heightened sense of self gratification.RAINE: What’s your favorite book and has it had an impact on how you view your work or the world around you?NELSON: My favorite book was/is “Horst”, which was the illustrated works of the fashion photographer Horst P. Borhman (1906-1999). This book opened my eyes, and I mean wide open. It was, after reading and studying this book, that I embarked upon the study of every great photographer, that I could find. Reading this book was a real awakening.RAINE: Who has been your biggest mentor? How have they influenced your work?NELSON: My biggest mentor has been, and still is Frances Grill, the founder and current President of Click Models of New York. Frances taught me how to see the big picture, how to see everything, in an equation. She was/is a pure advertising genius, who taught me how to break down the walls of self limitation. Frances, rather than seeing things like an agent, saw them as a photographer, as well. No other agent I have ever met has ever been able to do that; it enabled her huge success, as a model agent. Frances was simply three steps ahead of everyone else, in the model industry. Frances Grill taught me to think out of the box.RAINE: Who has been the one person you have enjoyed working with most and why?NELSON: I have most enjoyed working with the Grill family, at Click models of New York. They are FAR different, than are the stereotypical industry types. Life is far more fun, with the folks at Click. Casey Pobran of The Rocky Mountain Entertainment agency of Montana has been a real delight. A former Ford model, Casey knows both sides of the fence, and is far more involved with her models, on a one on one basis. Danielle Bongiorno at MSA Management of New York has been wonderful to work with over the years, in that she is far sharper and possessed of an innate intelligence, that is the typical model agent. A real no nonsense type, possessed of real brains. These are the type of agents, with whom I personally thrive.RAINE: What words of wisdom can you share with other aspiring creatives?’NELSON: Words of wisdom? “ The key to success and ongoing progression in the model/fashion industry is ti know how good you are NOT, rather than how good you are. When you can achieve that, the doors open wide, and the learning process is enhanced. It is a philosophy that I teach all of my assistants.