Nancy Clendaniel

Nancy Clendaniel has worked for over 40 years as a photojournalist, specializing in theatrical, public relations, and travel photography. In 1985, during a meeting in London with photographer Mary McCartney (Paul McCartney’s daughter) she described Nancy’s work as “painterly,” which reflects her roots as an artist.

A graduate of Evergreen State College, Nancy grew up just outside Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, where she studied painting & photography at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, under the tutelage of the renowned artist & sculptor, Italo Scanga. Nancy’s professional photography career began in the early 1970's by doing freelance assignments at Long Wharf Theatre, in New Haven, Connecticut. This was soon followed by her working as house photographer for David Mamet’s St. Nicholas Theatre, in Chicago. In the summer of 1978, Nancy left The St. Nicholas to accept a position as the resident photographer for entertainer John Davidson’s “Singers’Summer Camp,” on Catalina Island.

This led to her relocation to Los Angeles, where she spent nearly ten yrs. working as the house photographer for The Beverly Theatre, in Beverly Hills. During this period, Nancy had the opportunity to photograph musical artists including Count Basie, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Duane Eddy, B.B. King, Jerry Garcia, Cyndi Lauper, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Mayall, The Manhattan Transfer, Yoko Ono, Tina Turner, and Sarah Vaughn. During the 1980’s, Nancy also had the unique opportunity of being personal photographer for legendary disc jockey, Wolfman Jack.

From 1987-2000, Clendaniel served as the Director of Women in Photography International, (www.wipi.org) the nonprofit created in 1981 that promotes the visibility of women photographers and their work. Nancy currently remains a WIPI Board and Charter Member.

As an accomplished archivist, researcher & writer, Clendaniel was hired by L.E.G. Productions, on behalf of Apple Ltd. and owner Bruce Karsh, to serve as the archivist for producer Walter Shenson's Collection of memorabilia from the Beatle’s films: A Hard Day's Night and Help. This involved the organization, preservation, and creation of a catalog for an archive containing original photographs, negatives, prints, correspondence, and scripts from the films.

In 2009, Nancy's image "Little Slugger" was chosen as one of the winners of the Fresh M.I.L.K. Competition, juried by Magnum photographer, Elliott Erwitt. Her image, along with the other winners, appears in the coffee table book Friendship, Family, Love & Laughter, published by PQ Blackwell Ltd. in New Zealand.

In 2012, Nancy's image "Stormy Sunset" took first prize in Women in Photography International's juried competition: "It's Magical"- images of Sunrises, Sunsets & Rainbows. Nancy's image, in the Sunsets category was jurored by Stephen Perloff, Founder & Editor of The Photo Review; editor of The Photo Review/The Photograph Collector

In January 2013, Nancy's 1st book: Private Moments in Sacred Space, was published by Milkbooks.com. This limited edition hardback contains a collection of Nancy’s photographs and stories from her years working in the music industry. To view Nancy’s book online, visit: http://www.milkbooks.com/flip-book/default.aspx?ProjectId=3b1d2a69-53a1-4212-890a-9504a42085b7&OId=18373&OLId=140988

Nancy is currently actively involved in the digital preservation and marketing of her life's work - "The Clendaniel Collection" - an archive consisting of over 60,000 negatives, prints, and color transparencies. Nancy's photographs have been exhibited and published worldwide. To view her online galleries, visit http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/nancy-clendaniel.html

UPDATE - APRIL 2015 - APRIL 2017

Nancy is currently working on the following two book projects:

"The JDSSC Experience" and "The Making of Vocalese."

"The JDSSC Experience" - tells the story of entertainer John Davidson's personal mission to create a school for talented young singers on Catalina Island, the John Davidson's Singers Summer Camp. During the Summers of 1978-1979, John welcomed singers from across the US and Canada to study and perform at JDSSC. Known as the forerunner to programs like "American Idol" and "The Voice" - JDSSC enlisted the help of America's top performers, musicians, arrangers and producers, including Kenny Rogers, Andy Williams, and Florence Henderson, to help the students hone their skills which were then showcased in weekly performances at the iconic Avalon Bowl. This book, scheduled to be published in 2018 as part of the 40th Anniversary celebration of JDSSC, will present "Then" and "Now" photos and stories from alumni and staff.

"The Making of Vocalese" - is a visual documentary of the creative process that resulted in The Manhattan Transfer's most critically acclaimed album, "Vocalese." The term Vocalese refers to a style of music that sets original lyrics to previously recorded jazz instrumentals. In 1985, a group of legendary artists (including Ray Brown, Ron Carter, The Count Basie Band, Ritchie Cole, The Four Freshman, Yaron Gershovsky, Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Greene, Jon Hendricks, Thad Jones, McCoy Tyner, Bobby McFerrin, and Grady Tate) joined The Manhattan Transfer (Tim Hauser, Janis Siegel, Alan Paul and Cheryl Bentyne) to create the album that went on to receive 12 Grammy nominations, which is second only to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" for being the most-nominated individual album ever. This book, scheduled to be published in the Spring of 2020, 35 years after the album release, contains Clendaniel's candid images taken during the recording sessions along with personal memories from the artists.

As the former Director of Women in Photography International (spring 1987-spring 2000), and a Charter Member, Nancy is very proud to be part of the Beinecke Archives for WIPI at Yale.

Women In Photography International Advisory Board and Charter Member

Nancy Clendaniel
Emumclaw, WA
WIPI PhotoProfile
nanclendan@yahoo.com
www.NancyClendaniel.com


©Copyright for all images remains the property of exhibited photographer, and promotional use for Women In Photography International. All inquiries regarding use of and purchasing image use rights must be directed to the photographer.

File GALLERY & BIO created August 30, 2014
s-8/30
File updated 4/15/2015 - sending materials
UPDATE - Photographer Response - APRIL 2015 - APRIL 2017

UPDATE FINAL: May 2017 website content 1999-2017
womeninphotography.org file transfer to the Beinecke.
All organization files, computer, external hard drive, printed materials, photographs,
DVDs, books, competitions files and onsite installation art work