Written by Ashley Wehrs, Photos courtesy of Kelia Anne MacCluskey.
Photographer, director and SCAD Alumna Kelia Anne MacCluskey, B.F.A. photography, 2016, creates content that strives to garner intimacy between her subjects and viewers. Often photographing accomplished and powerful individuals across industries, MacCluskey captures her subject’s spirit as if you were standing in the room with them yourself. Most recently, MacCluskey had the opportunity to photograph President Joe Biden for Time Magazine and Youth Poet Laureate and Inauguration speaker Amanda Gorman for The New York Times.
MacCluskey was able to share some behind the scenes insight on her photography of President Biden and Gorman, her creative process and her desire for emotionally memorable work.
Throughout her photography, MacCluskey strives to approach every subject the same, but President Joe Biden was someone she felt was crucial to display as accessibly as possible. “I wanted Joe to appear to be someone you’ve shared a moment with. He’s very recognizable, we see his portrait almost every day,” MacCluskey said, “[It was important to create] a shared moment that is accessible for everyone, rather than a distant snapshot of the most powerful person in the country.” MacCluskey admitted her photographs of President Biden were taken in about a minute. “I’ve never been under so much pressure in my life,” MacCluskey said.
When photographing Gorman, MacCluskey was drawn to the similarities between poetry and photography. “I wanted her portraits to be radiant, hopeful, poetic, much like a prophet with good news, but also as if you’ve spent time with her,” MacCluskey said.
MacCluskey fortunately had the opportunity to spend time with Gorman, as their photoshoot took place all over Los Angeles. They drove around and pulled over whenever they found a location they liked. “That kind of intimacy and time spent with someone brings out beauty that I believe transcends the portraits,” MacCluskey said. Their day ended with a celebratory order of In-N-Out.
At the young age of 22, Gorman is an undeniably accomplished role model. MacCluskey admitted she was yet to meet someone who didn’t cry hearing Gorman’s Inauguration speech. “I hope seeing Amanda’s portraits will have you automatically reciting her poems in your head,” MacCluskey said.
Although photographs capture fleeting moments in time, they can preserve incredibly important moments and emotions in history. MacCluskey illuminates photography as visual storytelling. As storytellers, many photographers strive to create memorable and relevant commentary of the present times. “With these images surrounding such an important year for our country, I hope that as they age, we are still met with the same sense of hope and optimism that we’re desperately trying to hold on to today,” MacCluskey said.
