Photographer Curran Hatleberg discovered his artistic breakthrough in an unlikely place – the remote town of Eureka, California. After years of struggling to find his photographic voice while living in New York City, Hatleberg made a pivotal decision in 2013 that would transform his career and artistic vision.
Despite enjoying New York's vibrant social scene, Hatleberg had never been able to create meaningful photographs there. When a friend sent him information about a teaching position in Eureka, California, he immediately seized the opportunity. Upon arrival, he found Northern California to be both confounding and beautiful, a place that inspired a new body of work almost instantly.
For the first time in his career, Hatleberg stayed in one location for an extended period. During those transformative months, he encountered the same people day after day, teaching two days a week at the local community college while spending the rest of his time exploring, meeting people, and taking photographs. He describes the experience as being entirely focused on his work, similar to an artistic residency.
Northern California's rugged landscape felt like the far-flung edge of the world to Hatleberg. He lived in an old house on top of a hill where people rented furnished rooms, with views of the Pacific Ocean and redwood forests visible from the upstairs windows. People came and went without announcement, creating an atmosphere where he felt he could disappear without anyone noticing. This feeling extended to others he met during his time there.
Many of the people Hatleberg encountered in Eureka were running from something – either from their own lives or from a country they believed had let them down. Humboldt County maintained a mythic presence that remained a mystery he never fully solved. The relationships he photographed for his book "Lost Coast" varied dramatically, with some lasting only five minutes while others developed over months.
Hatleberg's approach to photography is refreshingly direct. When interested in someone, he walks straight up to them with his camera and explains what his work is about. This direct communication either opens floodgates of cooperation or shuts people down immediately. He emphasizes that trust and mutual curiosity are essential – without them, the collaboration simply doesn't work. His hope is that the people he meets gain as much from the interaction as he does, creating a foundation of trust and shared vulnerability that makes the work compelling.
The photographic process involves considerable waiting – for people, mood, weather, or the perfect backdrop. Hatleberg describes it as waiting for miracles to arrive. One particular photograph exemplifies this interplay of chance, intuition, and patience. He had visited a specific location numerous times without finding a compelling image, knowing someone who lived nearby and hoping to find them on this particular afternoon.
Instead of finding his acquaintance, Hatleberg turned a corner and discovered an extraordinary scene: a dusty alley lined with daisies, several redheads, a handful of puppies, and a woman carrying a gas can, all illuminated by blinding sunlight. This moment represents what he calls "the miracle" – when everything comes together with him present to capture the entire scene. Such moments are incredibly rare and disappear as quickly as they appear.
Hatleberg's favorite photographs, including this one, tend to be open-ended. He wants his pictures to raise more questions than they answer, encouraging viewers to actively participate in forming narrative and meaning. He believes the camera possesses an amazing ability to elevate the chaos and mess of everyday life into coherence and harmony, making even mundane moments feel transcendent.
Born in Washington, D.C. in 1982, Hatleberg considers showing at the Whitney Biennial his career high point. His advice to aspiring photographers is practical: forget about inspiration, as dedication is what sustains an artistic practice. A new edition of "Lost Coast" and Hatleberg's new book "Blood Green" are published by TBW Books, continuing his exploration of American life's hidden corners and unexpected beauty.
