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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.