Rachel's Images

This project has helped me explore a lot of places I haven’t been in a while. Driving along Tallman Lake tonight is just one example.

I am getting more familiar with shooting spots along Lake Michigan in Oceana County. Tonight, I worked my way quickly to Benona Township Park to take in this frigid sight.

 

Brad, Julia and Ethan and I enjoyed a day of adventures today! We ended at Mackinaw City to shoot the blue ice along the straits. What a magnificent sight!

Chris Quick is an avid fisherman of the Pere Marquette River. This afternoon he was the picture-perfect subject for my photo of the day.

Our fox red lab, Rosco, has been part of our family for almost seven years. I was working on my computer tonight, and all he wanted to do was put his head on my lap. It seemed obvious to capture this special moment.

 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!

My brother and sister-in-law used to live on Johnson Road in Custer. I would travel it regularly. Since they moved many years ago, I realized I don’t drive here very often. I took this route home and to my luck, came upon magic light coating a heron.

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

The kids and I watched this moose traverse the blue starry night! Actually, I was watching a movie with the kids when this night scene came on. I thought it would make a cool backdrop to a moose statue that lives on our windowpane.

 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!

The wallpaper in my bedroom is the last that needs to come down. It is a lovely shade of burgundy. As a black-and-white image though, it feels extremely tropical!

 

I was driving along my parents’ dead-end road, watching the pastures as I always do, when I spotted a skunk! I jumped out and got my big lens on. Thankfully he was too busy searching for food to notice me!

 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!

I took a quick drive to Hansen Road tonight, looking for the right foreground to go with the clouds. I quickly found just the thing!

 Shooting soothes my soul. It’s my calming place. There are many days I need this time to myself, to forget about the outside world and focus on things I can control; shutter speed, ISO, f-stop, composition. Other days, I love to share this experience with others, especially my three amazing kiddos. At 8 and 5, Kasey Mae and David Benjamin are DEFINITELY following in my footsteps and share my love of photography as they each made strong images this night. At 1, Joshua was in a hiking carrier on my back while I made this image. I can’t wait to create more shooting memories with them in the future!

My daughter’s tablet cover reminds me of Van Gogh’s painting, “The Starry Night.” I decided to spin the tablet to create the same spinning movement as he does in his painting.