For Love and Money
Portraits of Wisconsin Family Businesses
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©Carl Corey
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"Simply put, Carl Corey takes important pictures. This is true today and will only become more so in the future. While physically taking less than a second to create, within their stolid, quiet compositions they encapsulate decades as well as factors not so readily apparent: loyalty, honor, trust, commitment, faith and pride.
As Americans were are metaphorically programmed to strive, to move up the social and economic ladder, to pursue the American dream of having a life and possessions bigger and better than the previous generation. It can be argued that Corey’s subjects and their businesses represent a sense of accomplishment, of having achieved their idea of what that dream represents for them: community, a physical and financial living, a sense of belonging, of providing a much needed service, of making something of quality and value. They have, to a great extent, achieved contentment even though they live in a world where their way of life is increasingly under threat and disappearing. |
Contextually, Corey’s photographs perpetuate a rich legacy of images of workers. From the Worker Photography movement of the 20s and 30s, which had an overt political agenda and arguably created the concept of the photo essay, Corey’s work is more subtle in its political and economic commentary. His work is also strongly reflective of August Sander’s iconic images of Germans from the same period. The passage of time has imbued Sander’s images with a stark realism that marks time, place and occupation; Corey’s pictures do the same."
Graeme Reid, Director
Museum of Wisconsin Art
Graeme Reid, Director
Museum of Wisconsin Art
In 2011, Carl Corey set out to document families that have owned their business for at least 50 years.
"We all know how integral the small family business is to a successful economy. The services and goods provided are usually for neighbors and friends. We see generations serving generations creating personal lasting relationships and in so doing creating strong vibrant neighborhoods and rural communities."
Over the next two years, Corey visited about 100 businesses. "I was curious about the unique relationships and adaptations these businesses must have endured to last so long."
In the process, he developed an appreciation for the strong work ethics of the owners and distinct specializations of each business. They're proud and they love what they do, but there’s no doubt that their lives are extremely difficult.
The accompanying publication "For Love and Money: Portraits of Wisconsin Family Businesses" won the National Independent Publishers Award for best photography book 2014.
Number of photographs: 28
Rental fee: $5000 for 8 weeks
"We all know how integral the small family business is to a successful economy. The services and goods provided are usually for neighbors and friends. We see generations serving generations creating personal lasting relationships and in so doing creating strong vibrant neighborhoods and rural communities."
Over the next two years, Corey visited about 100 businesses. "I was curious about the unique relationships and adaptations these businesses must have endured to last so long."
In the process, he developed an appreciation for the strong work ethics of the owners and distinct specializations of each business. They're proud and they love what they do, but there’s no doubt that their lives are extremely difficult.
The accompanying publication "For Love and Money: Portraits of Wisconsin Family Businesses" won the National Independent Publishers Award for best photography book 2014.
Number of photographs: 28
Rental fee: $5000 for 8 weeks
Online Resources and Reviews:
Carl Corey's website
press:
Slate.com
FastCompany.com
JSOnline.com
DailyMail UK
Milwaukee365.com
on the radio:Wisconsin's Weekend Morning News
book review:
F-Stop magazine
Carl Corey's website
press:
Slate.com
FastCompany.com
JSOnline.com
DailyMail UK
Milwaukee365.com
on the radio:Wisconsin's Weekend Morning News
book review:
F-Stop magazine