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Copyright © Joe Claus 2010
I live in the heart of the Silicon Valley-a ten minute walk from Adobe, an eight minute drive from Apple's campus, 14 miles from Google headquarters. This is Silicon Valley business, as the world sees it.
 
In the blocks surrounding my apartment exists the side of business that is so easily forgotten. A restaurant. A clothing boutique. A skate shop. A bicycle museum. A gallery. A tile shop. A hot dog stand. Small businesses, powered by hard-working individuals. Niche businesses that, in the shadow of San Jose's massive corporations, provide local people with the localized services they need. In my quest to capture the essence of my neighborhood, I found these businesses to be the perfect place to start.
 
San Jose is a city repeatedly recognized for its multiculturalism. This diversity dominates the small business community as well. In these four city blocks I found proprietors of Chinese, Thai, East Indian, African, Australian and European descent. And mirroring their diverse heritages, I found myself amazed at the diversity of products and services provided, all operating within such close proximity to each other.
 
I photographed these men and women with what is now a quasi-antiquated method: film. With my medium format camera, 150 mm lens, Fuji NEOPAN 400 film, tripod, and a cable release I set out to document these women and men as a tribute to the smaller side of American business, and to the thread of hard work and perseverance that ties us all together.
 
They seem so at home in front of their storefronts, their direct, level gazes belying a self-assurance and nonchalance that is often difficult to find in portraiture photography. It is a product of the fierce determination and ingenuity required to run a small business. It is a sign that, sometimes, hard work and perseverance pays off in the end.
Business names participating in My Neighbors:
 
Frank of the Spartan Barber Shop
Tarlochan of TS Mini Mart
Harminder of Singh's Liquors
Marcos of La Victoria
Jimmy of Iguanas
Linh of Ginseng Chinese Herb Store
Eddie of Downtown Snack Bar (out of business)
Ryan of Good Karma
Aldrin of Cafe Aragon
Bob of Circle-A
Chuck of Bicycle Express
Walter of W. E. Harding Co.
Larry of Kamera Korner (out of business)
Dan of SLG Publishing
Monisha and Irene of Black and Brown
Henry of Foto Express
Fil of Filco Events
Cherri of Anno Domini
Paco of Death Before Dishonor Tattoo
David of Stonelight Tile Designer Showroom
Eddie of Tate Family Auto
Brian of Black Hairtage
Adrian of Analog
James of Henrys World Famous Hi-Life
Sean of Hub Cap City
Alexander of Faber's Cyclery
Bob of San Jose Piano
Vicki of Antique Market
Kim of K&K Sound
Sharon of Wright Lighting
Brian of Anno Domini
Andy of Hydration
Ruben ceramic artist
Marcus of Connoisseur 533
Angelica of Space 47 (out of business)
Bob of Kamera Korner (out of business)
Christine of Hydration
Cyndi of Tangerine Hair Studio
Kam of the Loft Bar and Bistro
Kevin of Fixlaptop
Mohammad of San Jose Copy
Susan of A&A Gift Shop
Rich of 4th St Pizza Co.
Josh of 4th St Pizza Co.
Rosie of Mars Mini Mart (out of business)
Alex of Park and Go Parking
Oscar of El Sabroso Mexican Grill
Lenny of Susan Kays
Abdi of Nile Parking
Nguyen of Hills Flowers
Mark of Aero Vacuum Specialists
Gebru (GG) of GG Barber Shop
Howard of Chapman Design Cabinets
Scott of Liquid Agency Brand Marketing
Yolanda of Special Interest Auto Glass
Andu of Merkato African Goods
George of Slough's Bike Shoppe
Dave of A&A Auto Service, Inc.
Kyle of Cypress Granite & Memorials, Inc.
Marty of Reinegger Frame & Wheel, Inc.
Ariel of Cruz Creations Tattoo
Phil of Phil’s Barber Shop
Mike of Tire Outlet Auto Service
Sheryl of Fairy Beautiful
Phuong (Plove) of Azuki
Hooty of Cinabar
Mi of Yong's Fashion Wigs
Serg of Knife Stalkers
Ed of Mosher's Ltd.
Cuong of Ngan's Tailoring
Alfredo of Diaz Menswear and Westernwear
Binh Dahn of Space 47
Vince of Decarolis Design and Marketing
 Rafael of Players Ink Tattoo and Body Piercing
Froylan of Dream Jewelers
Diego and William of La Nostra Pizza Ristorante
Sam and Belen of On First (out of business)
Kevin and Precie of Purist
Mark of Grooming Extaordinaire
Dan of Whipsaw
Ngan of Ngan's Tailoring
Nestor of Muchos
Lupe and Nancy of Ace Loan Office
David of Special Interest Auto Glass
Ron and Charles of Thrust Scenic Design
Chris and Jack of Hoagie Steak Out
Laura of A Looks Salon
Ashley and Larry of Sherman Cellars
Affie of Cafe Pomegranate
Ann of Hawaiian Drive Inn
Alfredo of Liquid
Juan of Precision Document Services
Ben of Tofoo Com Chay
John of San Jose Tattoo
Orley of Humble Beginnings
Kisa and Rabia of Silk Road Bistro
Weyland of In Focus Optometry
Frankie and Paula of Dandelion Vegetarian Cafe
Greg of Catered Too
Senayit of Sainte Claire News Stand
Patrick of Lydon Photography & Design
Roger of Caffe Trieste
Jonathan of Express Deli & Cafe
Arlene of Nichi Bei Bussan
Henry of Hank Coca's Downtown Furniture
Michael of Dive Bar
Janelle and Milissa of Plan Be Salon
Ali of Taza Bistro & Cafe
Teresa and Sergio of Angelou's Cafe Grill
Scott of Hawgs Seafood Bar
Chester of San Jose Tofu
Myun (Manny) of Peanuts
Tefera of Rainbow Hotdogs
Tony and Alejandra of Classic Touch Auto Detail
Victor Angulo of Don Pedros
Brandon and Robert of Street Low Magazine
Eric of Recycle Bookstore
Sam's Downtown Feed & Pet Supply
Daniel of Lowry's Cafe
Christina of Christina Christner Skin Care and Spa
Anna of Posh
Kien and Michelle of Umbrella Salon
Kien of Umbrella Salon
Jay and Sham of Morocco's Restaurant
Amanda and Quynh of GumboJumbo
Kristin of St. Joseph Books & Gifts
Ramesh of the Alameda Motel
Jerry of Fontanettis Athletic & Batting Cages
Lissa of Andy’s Pet Shop
Cindy of Cindy’s Deli
Octavio of El Grullo
Ken of Ken’s Hubb Barber Shop
Luvi of Chic Chateau
Marta of Soula Power Yoga
Karen and Robyn of Robert’s Book Store
Donna of Donna Brammer Photography
Francisco of Taqueria Los Gallos De Villa
Donna of Mission Pipe Shop
Mike Hamod of WET
Bhikhabmal Patel of Town House Motel
Taranjit Saggi of College Market
Veronica of Downtown Yoga Shala
Mark of Penguin Froyo
Gene and Esther of Cafe Yolicious
Andre of A Perfect Finish
Russell of Barnett Accounting Services
David of Swift Cleaners & Draperies
Selina of Lilies Hair Studio
Esther of Bellarmine Barber Shop
Pete and Sal of Ink Revelations
Jeff of On the Corner Music
Juan of Devil Rose Vintage
Karim of Offices of Karim Malek, D.M.D
Danny of The Corner Stop Shop
Dr. Choi of In Focus Optometry, inc.
Mark and Jaymer of PLSTK
Kathy of Koji Sake Lounge
Grace of Branch's (out of business)
Peter of Phil Wood & Co.
Josh of Images on Film & Digital Photography
Tony of Chill Factor Frozen Yogurt Lounge
Eric of Can You Dog It
Mark of IMINUSD
Sahand of Can You Dog It
Teresa of Heavenly Brew
Craig of Allied Appliance
Monte of Mountain Valley Pest Control
Judy of The Beehive
Jim of O.C.McDonald Co. Inc.
Mary and Yvette of Hammer and Lewis
Ray of Web Auto Buy
Sam of Web Auto Buy
Willie of Baechlor Machine
My Neighbors: A photographic tribute to the smaller side of Silicon Valley business
Who is Joe
Joe Claus was born in South San José in 1975. He currently resides in south San José while working in the Bay Area. Mr. Claus graduated from San José State University in December of 2007 with two baccalaureate degrees: one in Photography, the other in Industrial Design. He is educated in Biology as well and has working experience within the fields of tech, microbiology, photography, the state of California, non-profit organizations, and various other small businesses. Joe likes to dedicate some of his free to volunteer as a companion and photographic teacher for seniors. He is sensitive, patient, and an excellent listener.
 
What does Joe do
As a labor of love and a tribute to the smaller side of Silicon Valley businesses, Joe has been documenting small business’ for over three years. His first monograph entitled "My Neighbors" (read a press release written by Lorraine Oback here) has been published in JPGmag, Lightleak, and Reed magazines. Exhibition credits include San José’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, Kaleid and Works Galleries. “My Neighbors” will soon be available to view in San José’s museum, History | San José, permanent collections.
 
His second monograph photographed and published for Content-Magazine is named "Let Go", This series highlights the people who have been laidoff in Silicon Valley. The artist’s future plans include continuing "Let Go", "My Neighbors", he is seeking funding through grants and sponsorships to advance "My Neighbors" and Joe plans to host exhibitions at local venues.