Rachel's Images

 We all wear many hats in our lives. Some have a greater priority over others, and it’s easy to forget about the ones that mean the most to you and your heart. I’ve decided it’s time to dust off my Photographer hat, and put it back on. I’m excited to focus and set aside some time for my personal work and projects that I’ve been dreaming about for years. My children all love to get their cameras and tripods out (well Joshua likes to pretend anyway). I’m looking forward to helping them learn the way of photography. I’m excited to continue to share my work with family and friends!

Abandoned farm in Gaylord, MI. Nikon D810. F22 at 1/30 seconds, ISO 100. 70-200mm lens at 82mm. January 1, 2020 at 4:58pm.

 Although, over the last few years I’ve made many images that I’m extremely proud of, one photo that I still had not captured was a great image of the Ludington North Breakwater Light. I’ve made images of the lighthouse, just none that I was in love with. I had the chance to stay in town to shoot the sunset on May 21st, and I was crossing my fingers that the rain would stop, and the clouds would break just enough for the sun to shine through. It could have gone either way, but I was ready and waiting. I chose a telephoto lens, so that I could focus on just the lighthouse and the setting sun. Thankfully for me, the sunset turned out to be gorgeous! I could see others taking a nightly run to the lighthouse, or taking in the sunset with family or friends. It was just me, my camera, and the setting sun enjoying that special night on the south side of the beach, listening to Lake Michigan tell her summer secrets.

 

Shot at Bond Falls in Paulding, MI. Nikon D810. F10 at 1/10 seconds, ISO 100. 17-35mm at 17mm. January 2, 2020 at 3:48pm

 I'm not a fan of the cold. I actually really dislike it. What I do love though is shooting. I will withstand freezing cold temperatures and wind chill, if it means I can get my camera in my hand and experience the beauty that surrounds me. To some it's fun to shoot when the weathers great, but to me, I long to shoot through it all!

 

Shot in the Upper Peninsula at Presque. Nikon D810. F22 at 0.6 seconds, ISO 100. 14mm lens at 14mm. January 3, 2020 at 2:30pm.

 

 The drive out to the lighthouse was an adventure I'll never forget. The two-track of a road seemed to go on forever, but it's well worth the trip!! Shooting along the rocky shore of Lake Superior at night was a thrill! The lighthouse keeper was a great guy, he let me climb to the top of the tower and look out over Lake Superior. It was the first lighthouse that I had ever climbed and I was very thankful for the opportunity! I shot this on September 30, 2014.

Shot in the Upper Peninsula at Upper Tahquamenon Falls. Nikon D810. F22 at 0.4 seconds, ISO 200. 60-600mm lens at 160mm. January 4, 2020 at 1:22pm.

 

 

Rachel's family farm Allis Chalmers on Weldon Creek Farm. Nikon D810. F10 at 1/30 seconds, ISO 3200. 70-200mm lens at 70mm. January 5, 2020 at 4:00pm.

 

 

Sunset at Stearns Beach in Ludington, MI. Nikon D810. F1.8 at 1/8000 seconds, ISO 800. 85mm lens at 85mm. January 6, 2020 at 5:12pm.

 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!

Shot at the Ludington State Park dunes during sunset. Nikon D850. F6.3 at 1/2000 seconds, ISO 100. 60-600mm lens at 600mm. January 7, 2020 at 4:00pm.