What’s in a name? “La clé” (pronounced “clay”) means “the key” in French. The sound and symbolism of the word fit perfectly.

Making photos has unlocked my creative side.

I enjoy many genres of photography.  Starting the art form late in life has led me to learn about and try different styles in a short period of time, leaving little room to get stuck in a certain mold.

Landscapes, street, architecture and abstract styles dominated my early work.  That helped develop an eye for structure and composition.  But it also served as a way to avoid photographing people - something I dreaded the thought of.

I finally overcame my fear and began doing portraits in 2021.  A few nervy sessions and surprising results made people photography fun, and I have been doing so enthusiastically since then.

Whether with people, landscapes, buildings and street scenes, I enjoy using digital and film.  Most of my work is in color, but I love the classic look of black and white.

Rochester, NY is where my family and two dogs call home.

Clay Arnold