The more you gaze at Claiborne Swanson Frank’s portraits of women, the more your mind wanders: Who are these women? Where do they come from, and what were they trying to convey when they sat for these photographs? An image that might initially appear simple begins to unfold stories—some drawn from what you may know about the subject, and others sparked purely by imagination, as many of the women remain unfamiliar to the viewer. It feels akin to studying the Mona Lisa, wondering about the sitter’s era, what prompted her to pose, and what her world was truly like.
In American Beauty, Swanson Frank shares stories of accomplishment—of women who excel in their fields, pursued their visions, and embody a sense of authentic beauty that the photographer sees in women everywhere. Across the more than one hundred portraits collected in this volume, readers gain insight into the lives of these subjects and understand why they inspired the photographer. Along the way, the portraits also reveal much about the artist herself, whose passions and sensibilities are mirrored in the people she documents.
Here, Claiborne shares her thoughts on her landmark monograph, American Beauty.
In your book, there is a quote by Carrie Latet about never waking up from the American dream. Do you feel you are living the American dream—or at least what that dream represents today?
I feel very fortunate and honored. I am definitely living my dream, but I believe the American dream is fundamentally about striving for your greatest potential. Each of the women in this book, for instance, is the product of her own version of that dream, and that is the central message. I have never met two women with the exact same aspiration; they come from diverse backgrounds and have distinct stories to tell. I tell those stories through portraiture.
What were your criteria when choosing your subjects?
As an artist, I need to feel inspired. All of these women contribute to society in meaningful ways, but ultimately it came down to intuition and the creative spark I felt when learning about them.
Through the process of documenting these women, did you discover things about yourself that you were previously unaware of?
Definitely! This project began as a personal portfolio, which grew into an exhibition and eventually evolved into this book. Because I wanted it to be a genuine collaboration that captured who these women truly are, the process also helped me discover my own artistic identity—I truly became an artist through it. It has been a wonderful gift to follow my intuition and realize how much I had yet to learn about myself.
Did you anticipate from the beginning that the project would feature such a diverse group of women?
I was very intentional about celebrating diversity. The country is in a dynamic place, and over the past decade, the role and representation of women in society have evolved significantly. Looking at my own heritage, I am American with a blend of Cuban, Swedish, German, and French roots. That is why I enjoy asking people about their backgrounds—our unique mix is what makes us distinctive.
What about the men in your life? Will they have the opportunity to sit before your lens?
Probably not. I have an amazing husband and great respect for men, but my creative focus and passion lie in capturing the beauty of women. To me, women are the ultimate expression of that elegance, and that is what drives my work. Furthermore, I find that many men today are hesitant in front of the camera. That feels like a missed opportunity, as portraiture was once widely embraced by men, and I do believe every remarkable man deserves a timeless portrait.
American Beauty is published by Assouline and is available at Assouline boutiques worldwide and online.
*Originally published on Lookbooks.
