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Passing by Whitefish Point

 Several times this summer, if the conditions looked right, I would make the drive back into town from my home in Fountain. Some days would be a dud, and I would get frustrated for spending the extra gas money to make the 50 mile round trip. Other days, it paid off. I was excited that this day, I not only made an image I was proud of, but I had brought in my two kiddos and my niece along for the ride. We made a lot of fun memories that night too!

There is something about empty chairs on Lake Michigan waterfront that makes people want to be in them. These chairs, positioned at Pentwater Yacht Club, provide a view straight out of Pentwater harbor.

One of the many magnificent historic homes in Marshall looks spectacular to me in the light and shadow of a sunny April morning. In the 19th century Marshall thrived by being a busy crossroads town partway between Detroit and Chicago. Today, Marshall thrives by attracting people to experience the amazingly well preserved and restored grandeur of its past.

Over The Top

Rachels Happy Place

I love calm mornings when the water is so still it appears to be a steel-blue mirror. On an early morning adventure these lily pads near the Lost Lake Trail quickly grabbed my attention. I set up my tripod in the water and carefully composed the photograph while making certain that none of the reflections of the flowers were cut off. Once the ripples were gone and the water returned to its mirror-like state, I gently clicked the shutter.

Porky Pine

 

On an August evening during a photo trek to Big Point Sable Lighthouse I faced a momentary dilemma. I was shooting an extremely dramatic sunset over Lake Michigan to the west when I looked back to the east to see if the sky was "painting" the lighthouse with its brilliant color. As I turned what caught my eye was not the lighthouse-bathed in pink but the moon rising over a gorgeously "painted" dune just north of the lighthouse. The light was splendid and momentary. I knew there was not time to shoot all three pictures. While I was vacillating, my wife was decisive, declaring: "Shoot the moon!" So, I did. Thank you, Debbie!

Reflecting on Life

Waves rush ashore at Point Betsie Light Station on a late winter afternoon. Point Betsie is one of Michigan's most distinctive and beautiful lighthouses.

Marshall, Michigan appears to me to be one of those small American towns where time stood still in the best way. While Greenfield Village near Detroit recreates the beauty and charm of the American small towns of the past, Marshall is a real town whose residents have made it a community mission to preserve and restore the past look and luster of its downtown as well as its neighborhoods.

Sight Seeing

 I have an amazing friend. Her name is Jamie Spore. Many of you know her story, and for those of you who don’t, I suggest looking up Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2016 –Jamie Spore and get to know her, as I have. I first met Jamie back in 2014 through my work at Todd and Brad Reed Photography. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of really getting to know her. My kids adore her and look up to her, and I can’t think of a better role model for them than Jamie. She has many battles in her life, yet she is full of sunshine, hope, faith, and strength. She is one of the most amazing people I have ever met, and I am blessed to call her my friend. I love you, Jamie! I'm always here for you!

We always tell our workshop students, before we arrive at Point Betsie Lighthouse, that they won’t believe their eyes when they see the tropical color of Lake Michigan water. Once we get on location and start shooting photos at Point Betsie, I love seeing the student’s reaction to the color of the water. Then, we teach them how to capture that color with their cameras. It never gets old.

For the blue heron

Just this year I discovered the Muskegon State Park. It is beautiful and the few times I have been there shooting photographs for our new book, it has never been busy. As I stood on a small dune with my camera and tripod shooting the sunset, I once again realized how lucky I am to be a full time outdoor photographer in Michigan. My dad and I get to help tell Michigan's story and share it with the world.