Digilabs Pro Photographer of the Month: Pinque Clark
As a child, my parents infused me with art. My father would sit with me in museums, asking which was my favorite and why. Then he would discuss color, light, composition, subject, medium, the artist and art history.
I became interested in photography in my early twenties. I worked for Andrew Kilgore, a black and white portrait photographer. Andrew taught me all there was to know about darkrooms and black and white film. That opportunity was an invaluable foundation.
After raising two children and ending a marriage of 28 years, I needed a vehicle for re-entry into the world. I purchased a point and shoot and learned how to use it and photo editing software. The next year, I bought my first DSLR. I continued to grow by purchasing better cameras and traveling. I’ve only worked with Canon, my first a Rebel, then a 50D. I now use a 5D Mark II and am thrilled with the results I get.
Cross Species Fashion Transference
I began entering competitions at the suggestion of my friend Stewart, who thought I was much better than I thought I was. To my surprise, in the first year, I was juried into 12 shows; most were international calls for entry. My images began selling. I started my own business, Photos by Pinque, and my friend Katie built my first website: photosbypinque.com. I joined the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, who quickly became a client. In November of 2011, I was invited to show at Bittersweet Café, in Louisville, near Boulder. This led to my work exhibiting as the focus of décor in Parma Trattoria, a wonderful, new Italian restaurant in Louisville, Colorado.
Hello From Denver!
1. What inspires you?
The biggest influence on my photography is the fine art I’ve been exposed to my whole life. Also, music, fine art, daily life, and the play of light on surfaces and people. It’s all about feelings and composition.
2. How long have you been in the Photography Industry?
Since my 20’s. I started my own business three years ago.
3. What photographers inspire you?
Irving Penn, Annie Leibovitz, Edward Weston, Richard Avedon, Andrew Kilgore and the many photographers I view on the web everyday.
Liguria
4. What gear or gadgets can you not live without?
iPod, sunglasses and 5D Mark II.
5. Name a person, place or thing you can’t live without?
My photography, my children, the people in my life and Coti my dog. My spiritual home is the mountains.
6. What is the biggest challenge you have had in your business so far and how did you overcome it?
Pricing and valuing my work, understanding the legal rights for photography and photographer, and inventory issues. I overcame these by trial and error, industry networking, lots of research and making a LOT of mistakes.
Make a Wish
7. Tell me about one of your biggest disasters from a shoot?
My biggest disaster was not in a shoot but in the placement of my art. The hardware used to hang two of my pieces failed, causing the 5’ x 8’ canvases to come crashing down in the midst of lunch at Parma.
8. What is the most successful marketing strategy you have implemented in your business?
Entering competitions.
9. How does Digilabs help your business?
Digilabs has given me a convenient retail portal for my work. It has made fulfilling orders remarkably simple to customers throughout the country. The Staff at Digilabs was enormously helpful and supportive while I set up my website.
10. What word of advice can you give to other (seasoned or new) photographers?
Keep your camera setting on manual and look at the results daily. Never leave home without your camera. If you can’t work it out of the photo, work it in. Never be afraid to break the rules.
Just The Right Note
11. How are you changing your business to incorporate social networking and/or new technologies?
I asked my Facebook friends to help me select the eight images for my first competition. Five were accepted. I love my Facebook friends.I post a photo everyday on my Facebook page, which is also linked to my webpage. Artists from all over the world have become my friends through that process.
Want to Learn More About Pinque Clark?
Website: www.PhotosByPinque.com
Facebook Page: Pinque Clark


























