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Watching from atop the Ridge Trail as this lone vessel sailed north on a September Lake Michigan cruise, I couldn’t help but think of the hundreds of times I had cruised the same waters aboard Coast Guard rescue boats. When not too busy focusing on a mission, I was always awe-struck by the natural beauty and remoteness of the dunes and forests these recreational voyagers were undoubtedly appreciating this day. It made me long for those Coast Guard boat rides, both the calm ones and the really rough ones. Big Point Sable is on average the windiest spot on Lake Michigan.

 My family and I had just finished a nice dinner with my mom and dad, and my brother Paul’s family at his house. On our drive home my eyes were on the sky. I knew that I wanted to get to the lakeshore and shoot the sunset. We hurried home to get my tripod, and had plans to head in, as a family, to enjoy what I hoped would be a nice evening with great light. My two and a half year old son David Benjamin had other ideas! He actually begged to stay home. Daddy and David Benjamin stayed and held down the fort at home while I headed towards the beach with my five and a half year old daughter Kasey Mae. She loves to help mommy shoot, and I thought for sure I’d have to fight her for my camera. However, within seconds of seeing the water she was asking if she could go in and play. Upon hearing my approval, she ran into the water, with her shoes and socks still on! It was a fun night of shooting for me, and playing in the water for her. I named this photo “Mae’s Rays”. It was shot the last day of May 2014; Mae is Kasey’s middle name as well as my mom’s middle name. My mom and Kasey Mae play a very important role in my life, and I’m happy to have made this image for them.

A clump of dune grass stands unassailable against winter's onslaught. I love to see the changes that snow brings to subjects that appealed to me in a different way before the snowfall.

Ludington State Park Workshop

Hamlin Ablaze

The view of Lake Michigan from the Pere Marquette Township campground is among the most panoramic from point to point. Rough water and storm clouds can add drama, but exceptional quality of natural light I like to call "magic light" or storm light is essential to making the view the most spectacular.

Stearns Beach During Workshop

Wednesday

 

 

Moon Walker

 

The magic light accompanying a rainbow turns dune grass to gold on an October morning along the Lake Michigan shoreline. I have seen this dune on a thousand different days, but none more beautiful.

Just before dusk at the Sauble River Outlet, magic light broke out from beneath a cloud layer, highlighting the water's edge. The afterglow made the wait along the Lake Michigan shoreline worthwhile. My son Brad, my nephew Ryan, and I each took our approach to photographing the light.

Standing on top of Desperation Point looking over Hamlin Lake, I was awestruck by the calm that surrounded me on this warm summer morning. The water was a mirror of tiny ripples, the wind was gently blowing, and the birds were just starting to sing. Just after making this photograph, I watched a bald eagle fly below me and dip into Hamlin Lake to catch a fish in its mighty talons. This is a morning I will never forget.

Workshop at Ludington State Park

 

12 Mile Beach