#TBT - Over the Years With Clay Blackmore

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by Skip Cohen

It's Throwback Thursday, and after so many years of weekly posts, it's getting harder to find images and stories I haven't already published. In fact, I started this post revisiting a 2010 series of portraits of me, Sheila, and Molly the Wonder Dog, (at the right) captured by Clay Blackmore. But after checking my older posts, I found I'd already shared them a couple of times.

But here's the fun of Throwback Thursday: old photographs take us on an almost magical trip down Memory Lane.

Ever had a friend who's been around for so many years that you can't remember when he or she wasn't in your life? Well, Clay is one of those people!

As I started digging through older posts and online albums in my archives, Clay kept showing up. For example, whether he was teaching, helping us with the Hasselblad "Hot Stuff" campaign, photographing the great sushi battle, or capturing an in-booth portrait of the Hasselblad team, we've worked together on so many different projects/events.

Clay and I first met in the late 80s, when I joined Hasselblad USA. Clay was working with Monte Zucker, and my role at Hasselblad had brought Don Blair into my life. Monte and Don were two of the most recognized portrait artists/educators in the industry.  They had a profound influence on so many artists in the industry, especially on Clay and me.  

Here's my point today: The best thing about our industry has nothing to do with photography directly, but rather the friendships that come from everyone's mutual love for the craft. Over the years, I've been repeatedly inspired by Clay and the way he grew into one of the most diverse, talented, and giving artists in imaging.

I know it sounds sappy, but this industry is a family. We share so many of the same challenges, watch each other's back, and if you're in a bind and need help, there's always someone you can call.  Throwbacks help us stay grounded and are like an emotional multi-vitamin when you need a lift!

And to my buddy Clay... you and I have talked over the years about how Monte enriched your life, and how Don enriched mine. It's a kick knowing they're both watching over us right now. What an incredible journey it continues to be!

Happy Throwback Thursday!

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