If you grew up in the 80's, it would be difficult not to have seen the work of photographer Ken Haak. I didn't know it was Haak's work at the time, in fact although many of his images were familiar to me,it wasn't until recently that the art was finally connected with the name of the artist. Today's theme featuring Haak's imagery, comes indirectly thanks to actor William Katt.
Last month I did a piece on the blog, Tis The Season, focused on the stress surrounding senior proms. For the story, I used images of Katt, specifically during his time appearing in Carrie. A long time reader of the blog e-mailed me about the piece, and helped me in obtaining a copy of one of Katt's first films, First Love.
When I asked the reader about his favorite photographers, Ken Haak was at the top of his list. Haak was mainly known for fashion photography but put out a couple of books featuring male imagery which many of you might remember. I was surprised when researching how familiar the artist's work was to me, I immediately recognized Haak's image on the cover of Working Out, a book I remember seeing, and staring at, on book shelves when I was a kid. I was also a bit surprised how little info about Haak himself was out there. Thanks to the long time reader who so generously scanned some of Haak's images for me to share. Thanks also to Find A Grave who had the most detailed info on Haak which I am sharing below.
Ken Haak was a celebrated fashion photographer. A native of Glendale, California, Haak attended the Art Center School in Los Angeles, where he studied painting and graphic design. Upon graduation, he moved to New York City and became an art director and graphic designer. He built a reputation in graphic design that led to receiving New York Art Director's Club Awards. His posters for The New York Times were exhibited by and formally entered into the permanent graphic design collection of The Museum of Modern Art.
In mid-career he became a self-taught explorer in fashion photography who played light and shadow against skin and fabric to not simply dramatize the clothes, but exalt the body as well. His images reflect his strong sense of design in a style and manner both classic and contemporary. He elicits from his subjects images of intense eroticism and sensuality that convey both an innocence and candor uncommon in their warmth and beauty and sense of the human ideal.
GQ (1971)
His photographs have appeared in such diverse publications as American Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Playboy, Essence, Interview, and Men's Bazaar Italia. His books include "Ken Haak's Private Collection," "Summer Souvenirs," "Sleeping Beauties" and the illustrations for the exercise book "Working Out." (Rosehill Press, 122 E. 30th St. New York, NY)
Haak was the owner of Rosehill Press publishing. He was a graduate of Art Center School , Los Angeles, CA. He served in World War II in the US Army ETO HQ Co. 821st T D Battalion. He was awarded the meritorious service unit plaque; participated in campaigns in Normandy, northern France and Germany.
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