Northern Mitten

Here's something I never really knew having grown up in Detroit: the west side of Michigan is pretty damn nice. I mean, like, really, really nice. Heather and I traveled up the Northwest coast of the state a few weekends back to spend time with her family and take in the sites that Pure Michigan has to offer. With it's relative proximity to Chicago, it's definitely a trip we'll be repeating.


Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, 2013

Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, 2013

Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, 2013

Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, 2013

 Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, 2013




Below is something I'd never seen before in all the times I've visited vineyards in the past: once grapes are near fruition birds can sense their sweetness, and pillage at will (can't blame them). To prevent these avifauna-monsters from ruining the harvest, netting is draped over the vines, protecting the fruit. Sort of surreal looking, too.


Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, 2013

Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, 2013

And, because we were traveling during the Harvest Moon...

Holland, Michigan, 2013
 
Holland, Michigan, 2013

Fair Photography

Throughout this Summer I've had the absolute pleasure of collaborating with two dear friends, Eric & Kellie, as they have been busy launching their  new product line, Fair Coast Goods & Upholstery onto the world. This dynamo husband and wife team are creating some of the highest quality, unique, handmade goods available, and they're just getting started (wait until Eric unleashes his upholstery skills  onto the public). I was brought on to shoot all of their products for their e-commerce store, as well as some lifestyle/promo shots for their website and future marketing materials. Check out some outtakes below.



Fair Coast Goods & Services, 2013



Fair Coast Goods & Services, 2013



Fair Coast Goods & Services, 2013



Fair Coast Goods & Services, 2013



Fair Coast Goods & Services, 2013



Fair Coast Goods & Services, 2013



Fair Coast Goods & Services, 2013



Fair Coast Goods & Services, 2013



Fair Coast Goods & Services, 2013

These are honest products made by truly good people;  I can't implore you enough to support this new business. So check out their website, go say hello to them at one of the many events they'll be participating in in the near future, and buy something nice for yourself for once. 

Landstraction #173

Landstraction #173

Up In Smoke

On June 16th The Color Run brought it's dusty goodness to Grant Park here in Chicago, allowing joggers, walkers, strollers, and sprinters the opportunity to get some exercise, as well as have their bodies be used like a rouge painter's canvas. If you're unfamiliar with the event, the basics are this: participants run a routed 5K, and at different spots on the course their are volunteers who throw colored powders on them. By the end of the race your once white t-shirt looks like the floor of Sean Nader's studio (look him up). It's pretty rad. Heather and Devon did the running, I opted to do some shooting. 


The Color Run, Chicago, June 2013

The Color Run, Chicago, June 2013

The Color Run, Chicago, June 2013

The Color Run, Chicago, June 2013

The Color Run, Chicago, June 2013

The Color Run, Chicago, June 2013

The Color Run, Chicago, June 2013

I posted a few more shots over on Flickr - have a click to take a look. 

Puerto Rico!

Back in March Heather, MB, Ted and myself took a trip together to Puerto Rico. It was a trip of many firsts: it was all of our first time in PR, it was the first time I traveled to a warm climate in the Winter (the day we left for the trip Chicago had gotten hammered with 10 inches of snow) and it was the first time since I was, I don't know...13 since I've been on a beach. It wasn't too terrible, I must admit.


View From Our Back Deck, Maniti, Puerto Rico


MB & Ted on the Private Beach, Maniti, Puerto Rico

The entire time of our stay, the Ocean was extremely angry, bringing huge waves and un-swimmable waters. The rock cove pictured below was probably about 20 ft. tall, to give you some idea.
(Not pictured: MB & Ted getting taken out by said waves)

Rough Waters, Maniti, Puerto Rico

We spent an afternoon exploring around Old San Juan, a city that is completely sequestered by massive brick walls. The Spanish erected these structures, as well as two protective forts, back in the 1500s to keep their (many) enemies at bay.

Walls Around Old San Juan, Puerto Rico


Walls Around Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

 

A Fort's Watchtower, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico


The Fort was massive and terrifying, but provided some stellar vistas.


View from the Fort, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
(Spot The Cat for Extra Credit) 

 
View from the Fort, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico


Heather At the Fort, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico




MB at the Fort,  Old San Juan, Puerto Rico


Abstract Nature, Maniti Puerto Rico


Heather, MB, and Pecas, on the Beach, Puerto Rico

To see some more shots from the trip, click on this and head on over to Flickr.