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    • Creating a Fishwheel in Nikolai, Alaska for the National Park Service
    • Northern Summers in Michigan
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    • Bulilding Bridges Gala in Detroit for the Pope Francis Center
    • Recording New Breed in Ann Arbor for Ghostly International & Ford Motor Co.
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Charlotte Smith

photographer based in ann arbor
  • home
  • photo essays
    • Creating a Fishwheel in Nikolai, Alaska for the National Park Service
    • Northern Summers in Michigan
    • Listening, Together in Ann Arbor for A2SO
    • Bulilding Bridges Gala in Detroit for the Pope Francis Center
    • Recording New Breed in Ann Arbor for Ghostly International & Ford Motor Co.
  • recent work
  • about
  • contact
  • 2026
    • Mar 10, 2026 Portrait Photography for the Big Top Brawl, Clown Wrestling in Ypsilanti, Michigan Mar 10, 2026
    • Feb 26, 2026 Documenting the Dragon: Community Art & Public Sculpture at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Photographer Feb 26, 2026
    • Feb 18, 2026 Everyday scenes and homemade camera filters - Ann Arbor Michigan Photographer Feb 18, 2026
    • Feb 5, 2026 Photographing the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra: January MainStage at the Michigan Theater Feb 5, 2026
    • Jan 31, 2026 University of Michigan Museum of Art - Art at Home - Match Day! Jan 31, 2026
    • Jan 19, 2026 Studio Portraits in Ann Arbor Jan 19, 2026
  • 2025
    • Dec 31, 2025 Sounds of the Season: Photographing Measure for Measure’s Holiday Concert and 2025 Reflections Dec 31, 2025
    • Dec 17, 2025 Leadership, Legacy, and a Homecoming at Eastern Michigan University Dec 17, 2025
    • Dec 4, 2025 An Evening with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra & Clara-Jumi Kang Dec 4, 2025
    • Nov 21, 2025 Feeling Good at UMMA! Feel Good Friday - Halloween Edition! Nov 21, 2025
    • Nov 6, 2025 Zoe’s Senior Portraits with Her Cat Hazel | Ann Arbor Graduation Photography Nov 6, 2025
    • Oct 30, 2025 Color and Sound: Photographing the Ann Arbor Symphony with Jacob Collier & Chris Thile Oct 30, 2025
    • Oct 14, 2025 Documenting the 2025 Season Opener with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra! Oct 14, 2025
    • Sep 30, 2025 Neha and Jordan's Pastafarian wedding in Ann Arbor Sep 30, 2025
    • Sep 23, 2025 Celebrating Community and Creativity at JJ’s Homecoming Open Mic in Detroit Sep 23, 2025
    • Sep 19, 2025 A love letter to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan Sep 19, 2025
    • Sep 11, 2025 Gran Fiesta 2025: Honoring Scholars, Celebrating Futures Sep 11, 2025
    • Aug 15, 2025 OddAnimalSpecimens, Endless Curiosity, and possibly one of my Coolest Shoots Ever! Aug 15, 2025
    • Jul 24, 2025 Inside the Work: University Voices Driving Change Jul 24, 2025
    • Jul 9, 2025 Photography celebrating 100 Years of the Benzonia Library & Mills Community House! Jul 9, 2025
    • Jun 26, 2025 A Surprise Engagement at Nichols Arboretum Jun 26, 2025
    • Jun 11, 2025 Photographing with Heart at the Building Bridges Gala : My Approach to Nonprofit Events Jun 11, 2025
    • May 28, 2025 Behind the Lens at the A2SO Season Finale! May 28, 2025
    • May 2, 2025 Celebrating Emma's Graduation with a Special Portrait Session May 2, 2025
    • Apr 22, 2025 Capturing the Magic - Capturing Magic: April MainStage with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Apr 22, 2025
    • Apr 1, 2025 Turning the Page on March: A Look Back at My Favorite Photohoots Apr 1, 2025
    • Mar 29, 2025 Ducks and Armenian Coffee Mar 29, 2025
    • Mar 20, 2025 Portraits with Dr. Hanan and Life Update! Mar 20, 2025
A person wearing clown makeup smiles while tipping their cowboy hat in front of a concrete wall.

Portrait Photography for the Big Top Brawl, Clown Wrestling in Ypsilanti, Michigan

March 10, 2026 in portrait photography, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, portraits

Portraiture is one of my all-time favorite things to photograph. I still have a Rolling Stone: The first 40 years photo book that my older sister gave me when I was in high school. Back then, my goal was to someday make photos like the ones I’d see while flipping through those pages. I haven’t shot a Rolling Stone cover yet (lol—still dreaming big!), but I do get to make a lot of really fun portraits along the way.

Two people, who play clown siblings, in clown makeup cross their arms in front of a concrete wall.

My good friend and ridiculously talented wrestler, Eric is currently creating a clown wrestling show happening in Detroit on March 21 at the Tangent Gallery, titled the Big Top Brawl (tickets currently still available! 🙂). Watching it come together has been amazing—especially seeing a team of people who are so passionate about wrestling, character development, and storytelling absolutely kick butt and create a killer show.

A person wearing clown makeup takes off a blue velvet cloak in front of a concrete wall.

When the ask for portraits came about, I obviously couldn’t resist. These are just a few of my favorite frames, but every part of this show is going to be incredible—and genuinely downright hilarious.

A person wearing clown makeup with an old fashioned hair style, with their hands on their hips and a cigarette hanging out of their mouth.
A person snarls at the camera while wearing clown makeup and bright yellow eye shadow.
A man with a beard stands in front of a concrete wall wearing TITLE wrestling gloves.

It was such a pleasure to photograph these wrestling clowns. Huge thanks to Eric, Phil, and the whole crew for letting me sit in and take some photos that make me smile every time I see them.

Tags: Ann Arbor portrait photographer, Creative portrait photography Michigan, Ypsilanti portrait photographer, ypsilanti editorial photographer, wrestling portraits, clown wrestling, big top brawl
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email: charlottesmithphotoA2@gmail.com
phone: (734)881-3753