Contact Info
Chicago | Omaha | LA | NYC
charles@ckjrstudio.com
(402) 651-8383 / (773) 805-2819
Artist
Charles Kay Jr. is a first-generation Thai-American artist and photographer dedicated to capturing the extraordinary in every person. Born on June 5, 1970, and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Charles is a graduate of the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California. He has lived in Los Angeles, Paris, Minneapolis, and New York, and has recently relocated to Chicago. While Chicago is now home, Charles continues to travel extensively for his work, with Omaha remaining a primary destination for his creative projects.
Specializing in commissioned portraits, Charles creates work that celebrates individuality and connection. Whether photographing celebrities, large-scale advertising campaigns, or everyday people, his portraits are deeply personal, reflecting the unique character of each subject. His approach transforms every image into a meaningful piece of art that becomes part of his clients' personal collections.
Charles’s artistry extends to fine art photography, with his works exhibited nationally and internationally at venues such as the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art, Anne Reed Gallery, and Gilman Contemporary. His black-and-white series, Paris Still Lifes, is part of the permanent collection at the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. From October 2022 to May 2023, Charles presented UNSEEN – Emerging from the Currents of Assimilation at the KANEKO Museum in Omaha, a powerful exploration of identity using water as the metaphor.
Whether through fine art or commissioned portraits, Charles creates imagery that invites viewers to connect with the humanity and depth of his subjects, ensuring that every face tells a story.
