Ludington State Park

Loving July

Loving Life

Stepping In

Northern Lights

The shadow of the 112-foot-tall Big Point Sable Lighthouse is cast on dune land north of the lighthouse. The pristine view northward from atop the light tower reveals part of the thousands of acres of protected state and federal land along the Lake Michigan shoreline north of the lighthouse.

Stop the TRUCK! This is what I heard right before four of our workshop participants shot out the passenger side of my truck with their camera gear in tow. I quickly gave chase and we all ended up on a large dune ridge facing a brilliant rainbow to the southeast. The entire expanse of dune turned a vibrant gold.

Exploring the interdunal ponds at the Ludington State Park is always a fun adventure. The evening light tonight helped put life back into this scene of a dead tree.

October Clouds

 I joined Todd and Brad Reed for the shooting portion of one of their Weekend Photography Workshops at the Ludington State Park. Standing at the Beach House, I could see the sun hitting the water on the shore, and at times the dune grass. I remembered a close up shot I had taken in Pentwater of the dune grass and a beautiful serene sky behind it, and wanted to try it out with the storm like sky we were seeing this night. I booked it over to the dunes and got in place. The shot I was thinking of wasn’t coming together, however, the beach, water and sky looked glorious. I studied the scene, set up my tripod and went to work. The Spirit of the Shore came through to me in this image.

 When I heard the news that Aunt Mary had passed away, I was shocked. I was in disbelief. I was instantly heartbroken. We had just shared a nice visit at my mom and dad’s anniversary party on Monday, and it didn’t seem possible that she was gone. When I talked with others who knew Aunt Mary, they all had such great memories to share. She was a very special lady, and extremely kind hearted. She was always smiling. I knew that I wanted to make an image in memory of the wonderful life that Aunt Mary had led. I had hopes of getting out and shooting the sunset or sunrise in the days following her passing, but with other activities that I had to attend, that didn’t seem like a possibility. Around 8 o’clock on Wednesday May 21st, David, the kids and I were packing in the van to head for home from Ludington, when I looked towards the lakeshore. The fog that had plagued the lakeshore all day had lifted, and the sky was beautiful. David ordered me to the shoreline while he took the kids home. I thought about where I wanted to shoot. I thought of the strength Aunt Mary had and that even after being diagnosed with polio at a young age, she never stopped pursuing the things that she loved. It quickly became obvious to me that I needed to head towards the First Curve at the Ludington State Park in order to photograph the jetties. These jetties always stand tall through the waves, even when the ice and snow surrounded and covered them during this brutal winter. I walked down to the waters edge and took a look around. Standing there, I previsualized a photograph that would show the motion in the waves because it would remind me of the fluidity of music, one of Aunt Mary’s loves. It was important to me to nail the technical aspects of the photograph in order to honor Aunt Mary’s love of education. Lake Michigan was very cold, but I KNEW to get the composition that I was envisioning I had to roll up my pants, take off my shoes and get in the water. I am not a fan of water, especially ice cold water, but I was reminded again of the strength that Aunt Mary had shown during her lifetime. We all miss Aunt Mary and always will. Her big smile, laughter, and ability to see the best in every situation will be remembered for generations to come by her family and friends. I love you Aunt Mary!

Looking like a sun worshipper, the face of a giant ice formation juts toward the sun along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Ludington State Park. The nature-made ice sculpture warms my heart on an ice-cold day. The beauty I find at almost every turn during winter in Michigan gives me a sunny attitude.

Ludington State Park

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

 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!

Rachels Happy Place

 

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!

The Lake Michigan shoreline was glowing orange tonight and the dune grass looked like it was on fire. Using a telephoto lens, I could isolate a section of grass that was particularly beautiful.

This was the most colorful sunset I have ever had the pleasure of photographing at Big Sable Point Lighthouse. The afterglow just kept getting better and better. With all the craziness going on in the world right now, it felt amazing to be isolated at my favorite lighthouse photographing Mother Nature at her best!

 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!