Shutterbug Junebug Clark * Joe Clark, Father
Clark got his first camera at the age of 3. It didn't take him long to get the hang of it. When his father was shooting a commercial in their home studio for Stroh's beer, young Junebug picked up his own camera, and with his mom as a model, started clicking away.
"That night our lab person came in to process the work and made a 16-by-20 inch blow up of the shot I took. She propped it up for dad to see," Junebug recalled. "The art director came in, saw the shot and said "That's the shot. I love that low angle."
Clark moved to Farmington with his family at the age of 13. He North Farmington High School, where he served as school photographer for the yearbook and other assignments.
A second generation shutterbug, he's the son of the late photographer, Joe Clark, who was the first Artist in Residence 25 years ago.
"I think we're the first father and son to be honored," said Clark.
"I remember the first reception for my dad 25 years ago. It was in the basement of the brand new Farmington Hills library on 12 Mile. (Detroit radio personality) Bud Guest was there, and (District Court) Judge Margaret Schaeffer."
Schaeffer, now retired, was one of the several people who nominated Junebug for the honor. Others included Farmington Mayor Bill Harstock, Junebug's wife Kay Clark, former newscaster Jerry Stanecki, former Hills Mayor Aldo Vagnozzi, and Jeff Dwyer, Farmington High School teacher and coach.