Summer
Chromatic
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.
Moonlight on the Bayou
Moonlight bathes Hamlin Lake on one of those nights so tranquil not even a fish appeared to be stirring. The setting was the Middle Bayou, one of my favorite spots on Hamlin Lake. I once lived there and when I go back to get to see pictures past as well as present.
Shoot the Moon
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!
Teachable Moment
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.
There's no such thing as Hopeless if you believe
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!
Lucky Man
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.
You CANcer-vive
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!
Up
After striking down at its prey, the blue heron comes up with its catch so quickly that, according to the electronic data recorded by my digital camera, only one second elapsed between the previous photograph and this one.
Go Muskegon
My daughter Julia spotted this scene as soon as we got out of the truck at the Muskegon State Park. I handed her her camera bag and tripod and she was off. After she made a similar image, I moved a little bit lower and to the right and captured this image. I like her shot better.
In
After pausing briefly with its catch, the blue heron extends its neck and dumps the fish down the hatch. My parents live near the Ludington State Park. They are most happy if the herons find the fishing good on the Sable River rather than the goldfish pond in their backyard.
