Art & Clarity, a photography and video production company

03/06/2025

We are honored to be able to create portraits for NEWS Domestic Violence & Sexual Abuse Services. We encourage our community to support NEWS in whatever way you can. They provide an essential service to us all. https://www.napanews.org/give/donate

02/27/2025

Napa Valley Features has published a wonderful article written by Sasha Paulsen on Art & Clarity and our 30+ years. Here's to being covered by Napa's independent media! Support your local media and writers. https://napavalleyfocus.substack.com/p/weekender-encore-art-and-clarity?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share

By Sasha Paulsen

02/25/2025

I'm honored to be highlighted in the Kelp Journal.
https://www.facebook.com/KelpBooks/

[KELP JOURNAL] Lowell, your photos are so striking. I think it’s the concentration of color even in--or maybe especially in--the black and white photos. All of the photos are dominated by a deep saturated color that fills the entire frame. I was wondering what your intent was in framing your photo...

02/17/2025

I had the pleasure of creating a portrait for my good friend, Hal, once again. I have known him for about 25 years. This great man is now in his 90s. He's a joyful, loving and kind man. So grateful to be a friend to him and his wife, Sonia.

01/30/2025

For the love you share, celebrate with a custom photo portrait session or give the gift of a session to a loved one or even yourself! 707-480-4003 serving Napa, the Bay Area and beyond.

01/06/2025

Received this email from a couple for whom we created their wedding video in 1995. This is the reason that we do the work that we do.

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You made a beautiful wedding video of our wedding at the Captain Walsh House in Benecia, CA on June 24, 1995. We will celebrate our 30th anniversary in six months.

Brad’s folks made the videotape into a DVD, and we just watched it. We appreciate the way you made the day into a story. We delighted in seeing so many family & friends, most of whom are still in our lives, but for the deceased.

Gorgeous effects, and great work making a montage of the dancing and the gypsy jazz (The Hot Club of SF).

You shared a very old (Quaker?) sourdough starter with us. Wish I could say it, too, lives on—but alas!

We hope you’re well!

All the best,
Kathi & Brad

12/23/2024

"We couldn't be happier with our experience working with Janna for our elopement. From start to finish, she was punctual, kind, and professional. As we weren't local to the area, her knowledge of the location was invaluable. She went above and beyond by taking the time to tour the winery property beforehand to find the best features and ideal lighting. Her attention to detail truly showed in the photos, which turned out absolutely stunning. She captured every special moment perfectly. We are so grateful to have these beautiful memories to look back on and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a talented and dedicated photographer!" Anna
I love capturing the love shared and be able to give it back to my clients!

12/12/2024

Looking for a unique holiday gift for someone special? Give the gift of a photography adventure and learn to see differently. "The Art of Seeing" Photography Adventure. Take your photography skills to a new level. Fine tune photographic skills and to learn to share adventures with a poetic insight. Indulge your passion by spending three wonderful hours with master photographers and authors Janna Waldinger and Lowell Downey. Janna and Lowell will provide a new perspective to create images that you will cherish and skills you will use for a lifetime. All levels of experience welcome, use a camera or a smart phone camera. Contact [email protected] https://vimeo.com/1038415789

11/26/2024

Here’s a fine article on Napa’s Saluti Sante with one of our photographs of Valentin Humer. Salute Santé! Grapeseed Oil. https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/specialsections/ceo-salute-sante-napa/?utm_source=article_share&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1eH21OXV4c76SxNnh0rjW4am2WrvoA9nBRQj58jyu7p2bWbRZpDJgKoMU_aem_ejiYqFJAYQ6FrzYuNh-o1A

“We focus on those that appreciate the upcycled, environmental aspect to our production,” says CEO of Napa grapeseed oil company.

11/26/2024

This has been a wonderful view months for creating portraits in the studio and on location. Always here to serve!

11/11/2024

In 2002, we took this portrait in our studio of Beth for her business profile. Soft, personable, warm, trusting. When you come for a portrait, we believe that it should hold for a lifetime, a moment that will convey the beautiful self that your are - even in the present when you look back on the person you were when you came to the studio. Beth came with her husband and two your girls. I remember this moment like it was yesterday.

11/04/2024

Second Street Band comes to the Art & Clarity studio. A great session!

10/21/2024

Photographing in a cave is a challenge. Photographing in a cave with an active pendulum is even more of challenge. Photographing in a cave with a pendulum and variable light sources and wanting to reflect the dimension, the size and perspective is even more of a challenge. Here's one version.

10/15/2024

Completing 5 weeks of corporate portraits in a winery. Great environment to be shooting.

09/26/2024

Great to see our photograph of Karen MacNeil in today's Press Democrat. Press Democrat Karen MacNeil

09/07/2024

As seen in People’s Magazine. A great part of the Art & Clarity history of events. Working with David Aten Events.

09/06/2024

07/24/2024

This weekend I photographed a 50th anniversary. A joyful day. Today, I delivered the photographs and received this response. We are grateful to be doing the work that we do.

“Lowell- Thank you so much for capturing the essence of this day. The photos are so beautiful. So many people I’ve talked to after the event shared how great they thought you were and I couldn’t agree more. We are so glad you were there to make sure we have these tangible memories. Wishing you all the best and know I will always keep you in mind for future events and/or recommendations:)

Best ,
Rachel”