A View From Our Side of Lake Michigan
June 23, 2009 | Filed Under Artist's Gallery, Personal, Uncategorized | 1 Comment
We showed you the Chicago skyline but the view from the Michigan side of Lake Michigan is just so peaceful and serene. Charlie and I took a trip to Orchard Beach State Park for our anniversary and from there a day trip to the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. My only regret is that we didn’t have a camera with us on our kayak ride down the Little Manistee River, what a gorgeous ride we had! Lake Michigan is impressive at any time, but it’s particularly beautiful at sunset and I couldn’t think of anyone I’d want to share this gorgeous view with more. I Love you Charlie, Happy Anniversary!
This was our anniversary night on Orchard Beach. While the sun was setting the fish started jumping out to feed on insects. We must’ve seen over one thousand fish jump out of the water. It was so cool!
I love this picture because you can see all the yummy shades of blues in the water.
We sat up here and tossed rocks into (or almost into) the water.
I love playing with natural light in photography, lens flares are my favorite!
Here’s my man checking out Lake Michigan under an overlook viewing platform.
The Orchard Beach sunsets were as gorgeous as ever…
We ended each night with a stroll down this beach. Pretty views as far as the eye could see! I’m already looking forward to next years Anniversary camping/hiking/kayaking trip.
Stroll Along Lake Michigan | Chicago Photography
June 3, 2009 | Filed Under Artist's Gallery | Leave a Comment
I just wanted to share a couple more images Charlie and I created before the event we shot in Chicago last week. The city was bustling on one of the first warm midwest Saturdays this Spring and we caught one of the free shuttles from Chicago out to Navy Pier to see what was going on. I just love all the color in this first photograph. We wanted to ride the ferris wheel, but we were pressed for time; it’s dissappointing because it probably provides one of the best views of the city.
While walking along the Lake Michigan shore I spotted this large-sailed ship heading toward the edge of the cement barrier protecting the harbor. What a perfect day to be sailing in Lake Michigan!
Holy Land
May 29, 2009 | Filed Under Artist's Gallery | Leave a Comment
There are five churches on the way here, but this is where I go when I need to unearth sacred…
Backyard Beauties
May 28, 2009 | Filed Under Artist's Gallery | Leave a Comment
The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough. ~Rabindranath Tagore
I can’t help but think of my grandmother when I see these gorgeous butterflies in the yard. My Grandma and Papa lived “Up North” and surrounded themselves with birdfeeders and wildflowers. The butterflies visited everytime we were visiting! Grandma passed away two weeks ago and since then I have been graced by the presence of butterflies almost everytime I go outside. Yes, it’s summer. And sure, it could just be coincidence. But I don’t usually see butterflies on a daily basis. Regardless, it brings memories of Grandma to my mind and a smile to my face.
A Simpler Time | Dearborn Event Photography
May 27, 2009 | Filed Under Artist's Gallery | Leave a Comment
I ventured out to Greenfield Village and The Henry Ford Museum (Dearborn, MI) with my daughter’s class on their third grade field trip. What a truly amazing place to visit. Charlie and I have shot weddings here recently, and I remember visiting the Village when I was younger, but this is the first time I have had the chance to really investigate it as an adult. If you live close enough to Michigan you must take the time to stop here yourself. And, if you’re looking for one of the most unique wedding venues you’ll want to check out the Martha-Mary Chapel. The Eagle Tavern at Greenfield Village holds candlelight wedding receptions and has the best catering we’ve ever experienced at a wedding! (Checkout this wedding we photographed there.)
A beautiful piece of machinery on display at the Henry Ford Museum!
Out in the Village. It may have been a simpler time but this did look like very hard work!
One of my favorite places to visit in the Village is Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park Laboratory. Maybe it’s all the science talks Charlie has had with me? Whatever draws me there the glow of the light on these antique bottles had me mesmerized on this visit! (Que my brother’s voice making fun of me: “Shiny!”)
There are over two-thousand of Thomas Edison’s collection bottles on display in the lab all with hand written labels. The guide at the laboratory told me a horrible story about OSHA stepping in a few years back and making them dispose of the contents of hundreds of these bottles. Ugh, just makes me sick.
I’ve made simpler versions of these tin punch lanterns back when I was in the Girl Scouts but none as pretty as these! I really wanted to purchase one but at eighty dollars in the souvenir shop this picture will have to suffice!
We had the pleasure of driving around in this 1924 Model-T airport taxi. What a ride! No wipers or windows (other than the windshield) on this baby kept the cars price down. We can’t even go without cup-holders today!
This covered bridge can be rented out for small weddings, showers, or parties. I’ve always wanted to have a party here, just waiting for the right occasion I guess!
I think the girls favorite stop was at this penny candy store. They were able to purchase all the yummy old-fashioned candies they could afford! My favorites were the rock candy, button candy, and taffy…mmmmm!
A ride on the train provides you with some great views of the village houses and stores.
We couldn’t leave without getting a picture of the horses for the girls scrapbooks. They really wanted to go for a ride but with so much to see and do we just didn’t have the time. We’ll have to visit again!
Lunch at Topolo | Chicago Photography
May 26, 2009 | Filed Under Artist's Gallery | Leave a Comment
While we were photographing an event in Chicago last week Tracy surprised me with a fabulous lunch at Topolo. I’m always in the mood for really tasty food and we knew that Topolo was one of Chicago’s finest culinary HOT SPOTS!!! Topolo is owned by world-famous chef Rick Bayless and is reported to be one of Barak’s favorite places to eat in Chicago; it’s now one of mine as well! My pork tacos were outstanding and were only bested by my mango mojito. I took a couple pics of our drinks and appetizers, but had to put the camera away…the food required my full attention!
Tracy and I shared some Taquitos for an appetizer. We were supposed to split them 3-3, but I think she snuck 4 and left me with 2.
My Kind of Town!!! | Grand Rapids, Photographers…..in Chicago
May 20, 2009 | Filed Under Artist's Gallery, Business | Leave a Comment
Prior to the Beckoning of Lovely event we were photographing that evening, Tracy and I had plenty of time during the day to wander the streets of Chicago and enjoy the sights. As photographers based in the Grand Rapids area, Chicago is only few short hours away, and is a quick escape to the BIG CITY when needed! We had a wonderful time strolling along the river walk, people watching and enjoying the great weather.
On our way to lunch, Tracy and I stumbled upon this bridge that crossed the river. I thought it would be a great place to take a few pictures. Tracy did a great job with this composition; I love how all the architectural features draw attention to the subject (in this case me!).
I sat Tracy down for a mini-portrait session in front of these beautiful tulips that were blooming next to Michigan Ave. We only had a couple seconds before other people discovered the same spot.
One of the highlights was visiting the Bean in Millenium Park. For those who haven’t visited before, it is a giant mirrored bean that has been covered in stainless steel and highly polished to reflect everything standing in front of it. It really made for some interesting pictures of Tracy and I in front of the Chicago skyline.
I actually fired this shot off accidentally (that’s me in the middle left) after changing the settings on my camera. I thought it actually turned out pretty good though…sometimes you just get lucky!!!
That’s us looking up from underneath the bean!!!
It wasn’t until I got home that I noticed the majestic eagle seagull flying up in the sky above the bean. Pretty cool!
Group Therapy | Grand Rapids Wedding Photographers
May 11, 2009 | Filed Under Artist's Gallery, Portraiture, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Tracy and I headed out Saturday night for some much needed group therapy!….No, its not what you’re thinking; we were there to see and photograph the band Group Therapy perform at C’s Grille at Centennial Country Club in Grand Rapids. Centennial is one of the great country clubs in West Michigan and an excellent wedding venue in the Grand Rapids / West Michigan area. Check them out when your looking to book your reception site!!!
But back to the reason for my post…As a Grand Rapids wedding photographer I know I’ve written about this before, but one of the best choices you can make for your wedding is to hire a live band, especially if the band is as professional and talented as Group Therapy! They absolutely rocked the house!!! I’d strongly recommend checking them out at one of their local gigs and consider hiring them for a social event or as wedding entertainment…you won’t be disappointed!!
Here are some images we made while we were there:
Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States
May 27, 2008 | Filed Under Artist's Gallery | Leave a Comment
The Grand Canyon has to be one of the most majestic places on Earth! After sleeping off the first full day of of a long backpacking trip down to the Colorado river, I stepped out of the tent to stretch my sore muscles, turned around and this is what I saw. Breathtaking!
Yellow Jacket
May 16, 2008 | Filed Under Artist's Gallery | Leave a Comment
