GREASE, the musical

I did an assignment for a news agency covering practice for a performance of the musical "GREASE".   For those old enough you will have memories of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John when Grease is mentioned.  

Wedding Dress

The wedding dress shot is one I try to get if at all possible.  I typically position the dress in a spot that matches the surroundings of the wedding location.   I try to have the dress in a photogenic location that really flows with the wedding and backgrounds.  Here is a dress from a recent wedding that I positioned on a door leading out of the church reception hall.

Goodrich Michigan

Here is a photo from a historic building in Goodrich Michigan.  Goodrich is in the SE corner of Genesee County.  This building is now the Goodrich Historical Society and was the former Goodrich Library.  It is certainly not very big but a little piece of history.  

Before and After

There are many times that customers tell me that they do not think they need their photos edited.  I was out shooting for a history organization looking for a grave from a civil war veteran and took a few interesting shots.  The sky was very overcast today and there were a few sprinkles of rain.  This photo indicates that if you shoot a photo in "RAW", even poor lighting can be salvaged with editing. 

Behind the Scenes

I am not going to post many hockey photos here but wanted to at least post one photo from the back room, locker room area of Perani Arena.  The Flint Generals played their home opener last night and did a spectacular job winning the game and entertaining fans.  You can visit a few sample photos from the game at http://www.flintgeneralsphotos.com

Senior Photo Shoot

Here are a few photos from a recent senior photo shoot.  These are an example of photographing using the natural surroundings and textures.  Many people want water falls and "nice" pretty things but like one of the shots above, the red background is an old rusty horse trailer.  

He Shoots, He Scores! (insert hockey airhorn here)

Many of you know that when I am not photographing weddings I photograph many other things.  Of the events that I photograph are senior photos, news photography and sports.  Well this year I have signed an agreement with the Flint Generals hockey team.  The Flint Generals are members of the IHL and Double 'A' affiliate of the Stanley Cup Champions Detroit Red Wings.

I will still focus on weddings and the Flint Generals are very accommodating with my photography schedule.  Sports gives me an opportunity to strengthen my photography skills and will allow me to offer a new flair of photography to professional sports.  I intend on not only capturing goals, checks, fights but also taking a photojournalistic approach  and capturing many behind the scenes type moments.  I would have signed up as an actual hockey player, except for the small problem that I can't skate.  :)

Scary Photos with a Message

Both photos are from a shoot I did for a news agency.  They are from a haunted house, well more of what they would call "Reality House".  A church group put together a haunted house based on real life situations to get ticket buyers to realize how scary life is and that they need Jesus.  The top photo was of an actress who played a part in a drunk driving scene which told about the brutal reality of drunk driving.   The bottom photo is of an actor who plays the part of satan who tells of how just living a good life without Jesus will lead to hell.

For photography geeks:  Both photos were shot with a Canon 5D and Canon 35L.  The top photo was a challenge due to lighting but I positioned myself to where the lighting would balance and I could shoot to emphasize the girls wounds.  The bottom photo I thought would not work.  Technically it was VERY dark.  I did not want to shoot at too slow of a shutter speed,  so I shot with high ISO on the Canon 5D, something it is known to do well with.  Then with the strength of the 5D and the strengths of the 35L's 1.4,  I  positioned myself where I could get enough light to get a photo that told the story.  

Boxing at The Palace of Auburn Hills

The bottom photo is of the promoter Joseph Donofrio, pictured on the left, and in the light blue suit is the "Hitman" Thomas Hearns.  Boxing is a sport that has a rich history in Detroit but keeping the interest alive is something I give Joe Donofrio credit for.  

Family Time

I was out of town photographing a wedding this weekend.  On the way home I had a client scheduled for a photo shoot.  We did a few location shoots and as we were leaving a park I noticed a family eating lunch on a park bench looking over the water.  I was going to approach them and ask them if I could take their photo from the front, but did not want to disturb their family time.  So as I walked passed them I decided to take a quick photo.  Dad moved as I was taking the photo but I think it still tells the story.

More Politics

I worked a news assignment last night covering local campaign offices for Obama and McCain.  As a photojournalist I try to keep my opinions out of what I am documenting but let me give you an overall observation.  Typically, people are very enthusiastic about choosing a side, but I have found that this campaign season many are hesitant in sharing their views.  I even found as I was taking photos that there was a person picking up lawn signs.  This unnamed person did not want me taking his photo because he did not want people to know who he was voting for.  I suggested to him that maybe the lawn sign would give it away.

Anyway, because of this hesitation I wanted to make sure that the faces photographed were not necessarily recognizable.  

Sam's Birthday

I wanted to make sure that with all the attention given to Matthew that I gave a little time to one of my other boys, Sam.   For his 9th birthday, Sam wanted drums or an alien mask.  Well, this birthday he was fortunate to get both things that he wanted.  After traveling for a wedding this weekend I came home and Sam wanted to show me his alien mask and a few songs he could play on his drums.  Happy Birthday Sam!

Matthew's Progress

Many of you know that my son Matthew has been sick for a while.  He came down with a rare auto-immune disease called Henoch-Schonlein purpura, or HSP.  Matthew has been in a lot of pain for the past month or so.  He was hospitalized at the University of Michigan Hospital for kids called Mott Children's Hospital for a while and then at home.  It has been over a month now but we are glad to say that he is recovering.  Matthew actually went outside today and did a little playing.  We are so blessed to have Matthew recovering.  He has missed a lot of school and the goal is to get him to school in the next few days.  

Brenda & Matt Family Photo

Brenda and Matt are great people.  I had the chance to photograph their wedding in Frankenmuth Michigan last year and now was a chance to do a family photograph. We picked a location in historic Holly Michigan.   Typically I like shooting in the historic battle alley but we happened to pick a day that there was an antique fair going on!  Well we enjoyed our time and got a lot of great photos of their growing family.

Running Around Again, well photographing runners.

I am often contracted to do non-wedding photography work on days that I am not photographing weddings.  The other day I had a pretty busy day I had to photograph the Brooksie Way Half Marathon in the morning (early in the morning) and then I had to do head shots for a pro sports team in the afternoon.  Anyway, above are two quick photos the first is from a runner the second is the Oakland County Sheriff's Department clearing the course.

Getting Better with Age

I have done a lot of work in the past few months (weddings, news, politics etc).  I did an assignment for a news agency coving a bluegrass event, by the way I am a smooth jazz type of music fan, anyway, but took a few photos that I can share with you.  The fella in the red shirt Royce "Razorback" Bassham told me that he gets better with age.  I thought about that and it sure is true.  As a photographer the style in which I shoot is getting better.   I am one of those people who believe in the constant improvement of myself.  The first photo is of Mel Hammond a famous bluegrass performer.  

Thanks for following my blog.  I will have many other posts as often as I can.  I have lots to post and a big announcement in the next week.  

On the Road to Recovery!

Matthew has been home from the hospital for a week now and as of today he is feeling better!  YEA!  Matthew has had a long hard road with HSP and he now feels well enough to play video games.  Now this may not sound great to you but Matthew has been in severe abdominal pain and unable to do much other than lay in pain.  We are blessed to have Matthew on the road to recovery.  Our hope is for Matthew to start back at school slowly, maybe even this week!  YEA MATTHEW!