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The Gainsboro History Project

Clark Photography Studio

Founding of the Studio

Herman Richard Clark, Sr., was the proprietor of Clark Photography Studio, which was located on Gilmer Avenue. Clark’s photographs capture the vibrancy of Roanoke’s African American community.

Photo of a faculty costume party in the library of Harrison Elementary School
Photograph by Clark Photography Studio of a faculty costume party in the library of Harrison Elementary School. Courtesy of Roanoke Public Libraries.

Herman R. Clark Sr.

Herman R. Clark Sr. was born on September 13, 1898, in Campbell County. After coming to Roanoke, he spent a few years working with Norfolk and Western before he opened Central Barber Shop, later known as Hampton Barber Shop and then Sanitary Barber Shop. The barber shop was first located on Henry Street and then relocated to lower Gilmer Avenue, NW.

The Studio

Clark’s studio worked in commercial and portrait photography. Clark started his endeavors by enrolling in the School of American Photography. Then, during WWII he worked in the Washington, DC, office of Emergency Management in the Photography Department. In the 1940s Clark worked both independently and as a special photographer for the New Journal and Guide. Clark loved photography because of its healing and emotional values. The Roanoke Tribune called his pictures “poems without words” in a posthumously published 1994 article.

Photo from Clark Photography Studio of a debutante ball
Caption: Photograph by Clark Photography Studio of a debutante ball. Courtesy of Roanoke Public Libraries.

Many of his photographs feature his beloved church, First Baptist. At their 1982 dedication, he spent hours photographing the celebration and documenting their success. He allowed First Baptist to use the photos with very little cost in their published history written for the celebration.

Accomplishments

Although he had a fulfilling photography business, in 1975 the Roanoke Valley Business League also congratulated Herman Clark for his 50 years of successful business as a barber. He worked concurrently for years on his two passions and contributed in numerous other ways to the community.

Photo from Clark Photography of a children's play
Photograph by Clark Photography Studio of a children’s play. Courtesy of Roanoke Public Libraries.

Clark was a member of the Men’s Club at First Baptist, a member of the YMCA (Clark was a charter member in Gainsboro), and participated in the Photographic Society of Virginia. He passed away on September 12, 1986.

To see more photographs by Clark Photography Studio, please visit the Roanoke Public Libraries’ online collection. http://www.virginiaroom.org/digital/ClarkStudio

See Also

  1. Businesses in Gainsboro

Sources

On the local scene… (1994, February). The Roanoke Tribune.

Roanoke briefs. (1943, February 27). Norfolk Journal and Guide.