Robin at Dow Gardens
I had a great time getting to work with Robin from Dark Angel Modeling again this time for a shoot at Dow Gardens in Midland, Michigan. It was fun exploring Dow Garden’s latest renovations and statue instalations with Robin.
Chelsea Belle Isle
Before covid I got to work with Chelsea multiple times on both modeling and swing dance shoots. Chelsea and I had wanted to work together for a while on some fantasy themed shoots and finally got around to shooting together again this April. For this shoot we went around Belle Isle and shot around the unique scenery and architecture. Conversations with Chelsea and always very fun; I especially enjoyed learning about her knowledge of cartography for children’s novels!
Shirley and Ernest Engagement Session
I first met Shirley several years ago through the Energize Workspace in Midland and we had done a fitness shoot together back in 2018. I had a great time getting to photograph her and Ernest’s engagement session at the Tridge in downtown Midland. An incredibly personable couple who’s great to talk to.
Medford Family Portrait
It was great getting to photograph the Medford Family portrait on the Saturday before Easter. Everyone was very kind and we got done shooting just before it started to sprinkle.
Jessica
Last month I first met Jessica when she helped assist during a shoot I did with Tiffany from Moon Child Modeling. This month the roles were reversed with Jessica modeling and Tiffany assisting. Jessica put a ton of time in making her outfit for the shoot which turned out great! I can’t wait to work with Jessica again in the future!
Hayley Island Park
I’ve been working with Hayley from Hayley’s Wild for Modeling for several years. Our latest shoot took place on a rainy spring day at Island Park in Mt Pleasant. We set up a backdrop and lighting under a pavilion and where able to get some great shots despite the weather.
Tiffany in Evart
Tiffany from Moonchild Modeling and I have wanted to do a winter themed shoot for a while and finally got to work together again last Saturday! Huge thanks to her friend Jessica for helping assist with the shoot. Without Jessica’s help throwing snow, holding smoke bombs, and making sure the wind didn’t blow over backdrops we couldn’t have pulled off the shoot.
Ali in Marion
Ali from Alison Kay Modeling and I originally planned on doing an entirely different shoot but we couldn’t get access to the location we wanted. Instead we got to use my newer canvas backdrop for some studio like shots at a public park in Marion.
Chase Engel and the Night Shift
I’ve been working with Chase Engel and the Night Shift since 2017. They’re always fun to get to photograph! They’ll be heading to New York City to record with Grammy Nominated Rock Producer of The Black Keys and Highly Suspect next week. Check out their next show on April 22nd at the Historic Masonic Temple in Bay City, Michigan.
JCI Michigan Conference in Mt Pleasant, Michigan
I’ve been a member of the Clare Jaycees since 2018. I was finally able to make it to my first JCI conference this February and was asked to be the conference’s photographer as well. I had a great time at conference getting to meet fellow Jaycees and going to helpful trainings. Consider joining your local Jaycees chapter.
Kevin and Tanya Engagement Session
I first met Kevin and Tanya through a mutual friend Robin, a model I’ve worked with several times. For Kevin and Tanya’s engagement session we did something unconventional. We had the session at night with Christmas lights. I was thankful we got snow in time for this session. Kevin and Tanya are both incredibly personable and I’m looking forward to photographing their wedding with my second shooter Nikki later this year!
Andrew and Kayla Wedding
The year started with a great and touching wedding at Riverwalk Place in Gladwin, Michigan. Before the ceremony, the bride Kayla, had a first look with Craig and asked him to officially adopt her has his daughter. I couldn’t have asked for a better wedding to start 2023.
Father daughter dance
Grandpa and granddaughter
Work for Providers Healthcare featured on Billboard in Gladwin, Michigan
I was driving to a wedding at Riverwalk Place in Gladwin, Mi last Saturday and came across two billboards featuring a headshot I’d photographed for Providers Healthcare back in November 2022. Always neat seeing your work unexpectedly out in the wild.
2023 Michigan Hawking Club Winter Field Meet
Ever since I was a kid I’ve been fascinated by falconry. For the past couple years I’ve been trying to find a way to get in contact with local falconers to photograph them and their birds. Finally in 2022 I got in touch with Lisa Clements who invited me to the 2023 Michigan Hawking Club’s Winter Field Meet. I had an amazing time getting to go on a hunt with Walter the Harris Hawk. I’m incredibly thankful to finally have been able to start this personal series on falconry. If you or someone you know is a falconer and would like photos of you and your bird I’d love to work with you.
Simon Family Portrait
It is always great getting to work with the Simon family. I got to photograph Tyler and Kayla’s wedding back in 2021 and their family portrait in 2022. For the last session of the year I got to photograph the entire Simon family.
2022 A Year in Review
In August 2021 I left my job as a direct care worker and decided to make photography my primary source of income again, like it was pre-pandemic. I also started a part time job as a janitor, which allowed me the flexibility to run my own business and fulfill my other vocations. In 2022 I got to photograph 15 weddings, the most I’ve ever had in one year. I also got to photograph real estate, events, headshots, models, families, and senior portrait work.
For personal work, I started several personal series that I’d been contemplating for a long time. The first of which being an on running series called Localism which features images from the towns in Mid-Michigan I frequent and have the most sentimental connection too. Most of the images so far are taken in Clare and Midland counties. I originally hoped to have made more progress on this series throughout the year, but ended up focusing on other priorities as the year went on. The second personal series was titled Fantastical Shenanigans and features images from various whimsical and lighthearted model shoots. I was originally planning to have this be two separate series. One focusing on humor and the other on fantasy but after looking at the images I’d shot I decided to make it one series.
Outside of running my business I have several other vocations as well. I’ve been a deacon in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church since 2021 and also teach the middle school aged Christian Education class. I’m now the Vice President and Treasure of the Clare Area Jaycees for 2023. I’ve also been a photographer for Fostering Hope/Royal Family kids camp since 2018. Reading has been my main hobby since 2016. This year I was able to read over 130 books thanks to audiobooks, which allow me to listen while driving and retouching. I’ve started taking dieting and exercise seriously and hope to be in far better health by this time next year.
For 2023 I have several weddings booked that both my second shooter Nikki and I will be photographing. I also plan to continue to offer portrait sessions, headshots, event, and commercial work in addition to selling fine art prints online.
Below are my favorite images from 2022.
John and Carrie Wedding
John and Carrie’s beautiful wedding at the Great Hall in Midland, Michigan was a great final wedding for 2022. I couldn’t have asked for a kinder couple to work with.
Meet My Second Shooter Nikki
My second shooter Nikki and I have been shooting weddings together since 2017. Here are a few of Nikki’s best images. Also check out her facebook page.
