366 Days of Beauty in the Year 2020 by Brad Reed and Rachel Gaudette

I could think of no better way to start 2020 than by celebrating New Year’s in downtown Ludington. By hanging out the upstairs window of our gallery as far as I could with my camera on a tripod, I was able to make this image of the New Year’s ball drop.

Being a farm girl, this farm near Gaylord, Michigan, caught my eye. Wading through knee-deep snow, I worked my way to achieve the composition I wanted. The subtle sunset was the perfect accent piece.

Bond Falls, way in the western side of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, near the town of Paulding, is one of my very favorite waterfalls I have ever photographed. Today Rachel and I hiked up the icy steps to the upper part of the falls. Someone before us had fun making this snowman. I couldn’t resist making an image of Frosty.

Bond Falls will always be one of my favorite places to visit. Even though I cannot travel here as often as I would like, each time feels like home. It was so icy that it was nearly impossible to climb the steps to the upper part of the falls, but I crawled up, lay on my stomach, and set my tripod in place to create a long, dreamy exposure. The water was roaring, and my heart was happy.

This morning Rachel and I drove through the Porcupine State Park to head to the Presque Isle River. Our mission was to photograph Manabezho Falls. We got a serious workout hiking through deep snow to make this image. It was worth the effort and a fun adventure full of laughs and mishaps

I had never traveled to the Presque Isle River through the south entrance of the Porcupine Mountains. Due to the time of year, we had to park a long way away. As Brad and I hiked in, we were slightly jealous of the many snowmobiles that we saw. The exhaustion was worth it. The view was priceless.

It is a surprisingly long drive from the Porcupine Mountains all the way across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Upper Tahquamenon Falls, but so worth the effort. We had beautiful light and atmosphere this morning to explore this stunningly beautiful Michigan treasure.

Tahquamenon Falls was surprisingly busy this winter day as many others enjoyed the magical light along with us. The contrast of dark water before it tumbled over the crest and showed its true tannins caught my attention. I set up in the farthest corner of the viewing platform and worked hard to include each ripple and movement that I wanted.

I have been obsessed with old ship propellers and anchors my whole life. I must not be the only one because they are common sculptures and art pieces today around the world. I love Ludington’s old carferry relics. I found this grouping of propellers on the grounds near the Badger today and couldn’t resist making an image.

I grew up learning how to drive a tractor on our Allis Chalmers WD. I spent many hours in the hay fields, driving the tractor and wagon as my older siblings threw the baled hay up on the wagon. It was how we spent our summers. We would also use the tractor and wagon to haul wood in to heat our farmhouse. I hope to teach my children how to drive a tractor on the same one I learned to drive.

My dad taught me as a young boy that if you see an excellent sunrise to the east in Michigan to make sure to turn around and look at the sky in the west. I was blessed with a great teacher! The Ludington North Breakwater Light was glowing this morning with a pink and blue backdrop.

The sunset was calm and magnificent. It made for an ideal background for the dune grass at Stearns Beach. This clump stood out to me. I lay down on my stomach and worked to set up the shot, micro composing, so the sun was between blades.

The Ludington State Park, in my hometown of Ludington, Michigan, is an excellent place to photograph the power and beauty of Lake Michigan. The clean, cold fresh water was kicking today.

Brad and I explored the Ludington State Park this afternoon. We ended at Lake Michigan along M-116, shooting big waves and the sun. Near sunset, the magic light showered over the dunes

One of the 20/20 Vision concepts we teach in our photography workshops is micro composing. With my camera on a tripod, I worked hard lying on my stomach on a frozen puddle to make sure every icicle was in just the right place and not merging with important elements of the Badger.

Mufasa, our outdoor cat, enjoys playing in the snow. We played chase the snowballs for a while before I made this image of his long fur blowing in the wind.

Cameras do lie! This lawn ornament is a small, but working, windmill at the Greene Farm on Conrad Road. The super dramatic sky and cool blue light this morning really added the drama I needed to get the feeling I wanted for this image.

I could see the makings of a colorful sunrise as my kids got on the bus. I drove quickly to “The Point”, one of my favorite spots on our family farm. Hesitating slightly at the thought of getting my minivan stuck in the snow, I decided it was worth the risk. The Pere Marquette River glowed pink, just as I had envisioned.