Kicking Sawdust

This book provides an intimate look at the traveling circus world through personal photographs and stories, showcasing a unique lifestyle.

In Kicking Sawdust, readers are offered a unique glimpse into the vibrant yet often overlooked world of traveling circuses, carnivals, and sideshows. Captured through the lens of Clayton Anderson, this collection of photographs taken between 1988 and 1992 serves as a personal memoir of his experiences on the road. Each image reflects not only the colorful characters and settings he encountered but also the deeper connections he forged with those around him while working in his family's food business.

The black and white photographs in Kicking Sawdust are a testament to the artistry of film photography, with Anderson developing each shot himself during his travels. The starkness of black and white film highlights the raw emotions and authenticity of the carnival life, showcasing moments of joy, struggle, and camaraderie among performers and workers alike. Through these images, Anderson invites readers to experience the beauty and complexity of a lifestyle that is often romanticized yet rarely seen in its true form.

Beyond the visuals, Kicking Sawdust serves as a narrative of friendship and community, illustrating the bonds formed in transient environments. As readers flip through the pages, they are transported to a world where every face tells a story, and each photograph encapsulates a fleeting moment in time, making it a poignant tribute to a vanishing era of entertainment.