missing vacation

Man...missing the beach today...

That's Mr. Burger to you

I had a busy morning yesterday.  After a couple hours of running various errands around town, I found myself starving.  But I had little time to eat before a 10 AM photo shoot. I really just wanted to grab some quick eggs in order to stay on the low carb diet I've been on.  

This diet often poses a problem when I'm eating on the go because most of the normal fast food joints have more grams of carbohydrates per serving than the pretzels that George Bush chokes on...I can't eat the stuff.  And if I did eat all those carbs I'd probably pass out like George did, only to find myself awakened like he was...by a dog licking my face.

Given the time constraints I thought I'd have to go to the photo shoot on an empty stomach, so I started to head to the location.  But then...there it was...on the left side of the street...rising like a phoenix...at the crest of hill near downtown Grand Rapids...was a Mr. Burger.

Mr. Burger is a place I hadn't been in probably 10 years.  But as I recall they usually served breakfast faster than Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick can send text messages...(I digress)...so I pulled in for a quickie...so to speak.

True to past form, my eggs and sausage order arrived at my booth before I did. Upon settling in I looked around the restaurant. The place was busy, and I had forgotten how Mr. Burger always struck me as a lot like high school...but Mr. Burger is high school for old people.  It's as if this is the place where all the retirees in Grand Rapids are sent to hang out.

Like high school, the retirees seem to still gather in small gangs. Over in the far corner of the restaurant was a small clique of giggly old gals talking about iron deficiency and the best arch supports.  A few booths down from them in a prime window seat were two really old guys with suspenders and trucker hats who flirtatiously chatted up any of the waitresses that strolled by (like Brett Favre, it would seem many of the Mr. Burger staff have also come in and out of retirement many times).

Next to my booth was one of those long-married couples that didn't speak a word to each other the entire time...they just quietly sipped their coffee...content to sit in their comfortable silence. And not too far away was a widower talking to another married couple about how soaring gas prices limited her trips to Walgreens, church and Mr. Burger (the holy trinity no doubt).

But no matter where they sat or who they talked to, the retirees all had one thing in common; a deep and passionate thirst for decaf coffee...a thirst much like I used to have for Mountain Dew when I roamed the halls of Northview High School back in '86.

I arrived at my photo shoot nearly on time...just 5 minutes late...still thinking about the social structure of this little restaurant where the burgers wear small top hats and curiously large bow ties...that's Mister Burger to you.

Butterball Mansion

Here's an outtake from my aerial photo shoot last week...I just took it for fun.  It shows the Butterball Mansion in East Grand Rapids (think Thanksgiving turkeys with pop-out thermometers telling you when they're done and...well...butter).  The estate has been for sale for quite some time and has simultaneously undergone extensive renovations.  I live not too far away in a dramatically...less dramatic...home about a half mile away.  I often bike or drive past the property on Plymouth Avenue (on my way to Jersey Junction for ice cream if truth be told).

I couldn't help but notice the two huge and sleek powerboats and a large, well concealed garage way in the very back of the property large enough to store them as well as additional toys.  It's a magnificent property.

I was curious to see what the asking price is and the listing at GRAR shows it's going for $2,180,000.  And although that is a sum of money I'll never get my hands on, that seems like a STEAL to me given the size of the home and location. I can't help but think that if you plunked this same home/property into suburban Chicago, Boston or Atlanta it would be $5 million or more easy.  If it were in the Hamptons in New York it would probably be well over $15 million.

So you may want to throw in a bid...my guess is the first one close to $1,900,000 gets the keys!

Aerial Images on tap

(a regatta on Reeds Lake)

I had two different clients waiting for aerials photographs but due to my schedule, weather and vacation those projects sat on the back burner for a few weeks.  Sunday was perfect so I shot some new aerials of Grand Rapids this afternoon...such a perfect day.  Two quick observations:

1. Call me superstitious but I always hire the same company when I shoot aerials (they're a good company and, you know, so far so good).  My usual pilot wasn't available when I called but I was happy when they said they could still get me flying within a couple hours with a different pilot. I was a little taken aback when the new pilot came into the office to introduce himself.  I must be getting older but he only looked to be about 17 years old.  To me it was like he should have been mowing the grass out by the hanger instead of holding my life in his hands while we spun tight circles around buildings over Grand Rapids.  He seemed official though (he had charts and stuff) and as we looked over sections of the city we would fly over, I started to gain more confidence before take-off.  My initial anxiety turned out to be be unfounded. It turned out to be a nice flight and I would definitely fly with him again...but holy cow that kid was young!

2. The high price of petroleum is affecting everything...the cost of hiring the plane increased by $65/hour from when I flew last fall (and it's not like it was cheap then).  I've never been more frustrated with government.  Our current administration has been asleep at the wheel with their foreign and domestic policies over the last 8 years. The absolute hubris of Bush/Cheney is disgusting. If winks toward the media pool and wearing large belt buckles could get the job done then we'd be in great shape, but I suspect GWB thinks that's all the job entails.  Bush came into office an oil man and he certainly did nothing to wheen us off of fossil fuels.  Let's hope the next President has some guts to truly foster a new economic model around alternative energy.

In the words of my brother-in-law Bill...it's too bad we still have to wait until January to get a new bus driver.

Best Parade in America - Part 2

The best parade in America

By far the best parade in the world is right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  The Hollyhock Lane Parade (in my neighborhood of Ottawa Hills) is pure Americana complete with Tootsie Rolls, politicians and KIDS!

twitter-dee...twitter dumb

Against my better judgement I've added a twitter account...I'm skeptical but will keep it as long as it seems useful.

So if you twitter and wish to follow me the address is www.twitter.com/briankellyphoto 

You can all look forward to periodic streams of consciousness and other nuggets while I'm...um...shopping for groceries or stuck in traffic.

Speed Bumps...May You Rest in Peace

Just another casualty of political correctness...this sign was on the beach road by our cottage.  We drove by it nearly every day.

Gosh...all they really had to say was "Intentionally placed mounds to dissuade a high rate of speed."

Vacation Update

On vacation and having a blast...I love Michigan summers (and taking a break too).

Shooting Like Crazy!

I'm feeling pretty lucky to be so busy (really busy) over the last several months. In the last two weeks I've shot some cool projects for some pretty high profile clients.

Last week I took off with Trisha Spaulding of Integrated Architecture to document a wonderfully designed private school in Howell, Michigan. The shoot went great and I'll be shooting 4 more projects for them a little later in the summer. I've wanted to shoot for IA for a long time so this will be a LOT of fun.

And I'm currently knee deep in shooting for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation's annual report. This is a BIG project...they really go all out with their annual report photography and I was thrilled to be selected to shoot this year's report. We've already completed three shoots and have several more to go throughout July. We're taking some risks photographically (just ask my assistant Tina who was standing perilously close to edge of a tall building downtown holding a reflector...but that's why she makes the big bucks!). I'd love to post some samples here but you'll just have to wait until the AR comes out!

I'm also simultaneously working on a major project for Nucraft Furniture. Basically they've commissioned me to create large art pieces for their expanded corporate offices. I've been given free reign of their entire production area; so I get to wander around creating abstractions of all kinds of things I find. It's a major challenge but I think we're going to be able to create some very, very dynamic installations in their office...more FUN.

I'm out on vacation for a bit to recharge with my lovely family...I'll be back at it July 5. Happy America, everyone!

GR Press Review - Karma Generator at Waterfront Film Festival

On Saturday I attended the screening of our film Karma Generator at Waterfront Film Festival. The theater was packed and it was interesting to screen it before an audience that really had no idea what they were going to see (it was paired with an excellent film called The Linguists which was shown at Sundance a few months ago).

I noticed music/film critic John Serba of The Grand Rapids Press sitting just in front of us and had a chance to say hello before the film started.  He wrote about Karma Generator on his blog this morning. Here's a link to his very favorable review.

The audience really seemed to enjoy the film.  I relished the opportunity to grab some popcorn and be a fly on the wall and watch it with my wife Kathleen right along with everyone else.

And wouldn't you know it...you can now purchase Karma Generator!!!  The entire film is included as bonus material on Brian Vander Ark's new live concert DVD.  This is the now infamous concert that my brother Brad and I shot for BVA at Aquinas College in March of this year.  It was a 5 camera shoot and I must say it resulted in one heckuva fine concert DVD.  Brian and the band were truly inspired and the setting was incredible.  The shoot went smoothly and it's a beautiful concert film.

The best news is that the DVD is only $17...order it here...directly from Brian Vander Ark himself.  Feel free to pick up a few dozen copies!

Gordon Parks - Photographer

I was asked by On-the-Town Magazine to comment on the life and career of legendary photographer Gordon Parks.  An exhibit of his photographs is coming to the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

Parks has always been one of the top three photographers that have inspired me the most.  He was incredible man with an insatiable drive and zest for life.  Aside from shooting for LIFE Magazine and Vogue in the 1940's...an unthinkable achievement for a black man in a segregated society, he also directed (among others) the iconic film Shaft.

He created powerful images. And possessed equally powerful charisma.  That combination granted him access few photographers have ever enjoyed. 

Gordon Parks had a long affair with railroad heiress, socialite and fashion designer Gloria Vanderbilt.  He also shared a great friendship with Malcolm X.  That speaks volumes about the man and the worlds he was able to inhabit so freely.

Night Photography Workshop is post-poned

Good news/bad news...the bad news is that due to the storms and freaky weather I've decided to reschedule our night photography workshop for tonight.

The good news is that there will be another one soon...most likely by mid-July.  I'll be in touch with more info soon here on the blog or email me at brian@photographyroom.com privately if you want to be put on the info list.

Photo Shoot - CWD

Last week I shot Grand Rapids real estate titans Sam Cummings, Scott Wierda and Dan DeVos for a new real estate investment company that they formed called CWD Real Estate Investments.

I picked a nice location at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, mostly for it's texture and color.  I thought it would allow for some outside-the-box portraiture.

More photos from this shoot are now up in the People section of my web site...so check them out!

A special thanks to Kate Washburn of Wondergem Consulting for helping to get this shoot off the ground and all the behind the scenes coordination.

Screening Times for Karma Generator

I just got the schedule.  Karma Generator will screen twice during the Waterfront Film Festival June 12-15.  It's playing each day at 11:30 am on June 14 (Sat) and June 15 (Sun).

You can find the entire film schedule here.

It's playing at Venue 3 on your maps (Saugatuck High School).  Karma Generator is paired with another fine film called The Linguists which is a documentary (feature length) that enjoys the distinction of being an official selection of the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

Not too shabby company...

If you make it out and catch the film, please say hello.

web site update

If you haven't checked out my web site in a while it's probably worth a visit again.  I've added a brand new "Events" section with all new photos as well as sprinkled the other categories with images here and there.

...but if you've never visited before it will all seem incredibly fresh and new!

www.briankellyphoto.net

Waterfront Film Festival - Karma Generator is IN!

Holy cow...I received word today that our short film documentary called Karma Generator is an official selection of the prestigious Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck.  It will be screened twice at some point during the festival's June 12-15 run.

I wasn't sure what to expect when, on a whim, I submitted our entry a full day past the deadline (with permission).  But this feels pretty great!  My brother Brad and I worked extremely hard on it and being accepted to WFF validates our emphasis on creating more films together...because we make a pretty great team (if I say so myself).

Perhaps I'll post an entry soon about our next film project which starts shooting a little later this summer...but for now I'm tight as a drum!  All I'll say is that it's a feature length project and not a short.

So tonight I'm working on press kits for the festival and filling out a Director's questionnaire that asks me if I'm interested in boating, golfing, dune rides and jet ski's while I'm attending the festival.  Let's see...wait for it...OH YEAH!

Lux Land Concert was great

Lux Land performed at The Photography Room to a wonderful audience last Saturday.  It was a truly great show...quiet, moody, soulful and rich.  Lux was joined by slide guitarist extraordinaire Dan Matheny (of The Verve Pipe and Brian Vander Ark) and his contributions were fantastic.

We're currently in the process of booking some incredible national acts for the fall.  I can't wait to make some announcements in the next few weeks.

June 8 - Night Photography Workshop

The night photography workshop for Sunday, June 8 is starting to fill up nicely.  I do have several spots left but it looks like we're going to have a very nice group going out with me.

If you're interested in signing up, shoot me an email and I'll send you the registration form.  If you want to find out more about what my night photography workshops are like, please visit this previous post.

I'm always amazed to see how much fun we have on these workshops.  There's just something about a beautiful downtown and a common interest in photography that makes for great camaraderie and conversation.  Feel free to email me with any questions!

napoleon dynamite

Just had to post this.  I love the motion in the arm...pure poetry.  I must secretly love interpretive dance.

Designer Kathryn Chaplow

I had a great time shooting for Kathryn Chaplow in Cascade this week.  Kathryn's one of the Midwest's top interior designers...based right here in good 'ol Grand Rapids.  In the last year or so she's had several of her projects featured nationally in some of the country's top magazines...once you're inside a home that she's designed you can see what all the fuss is about.

I'm especially honored to be shooting for Kathryn's personal portfolio; meaning she's using the images we shoot for her web site and other marketing efforts.  She really has the ability to work with anyone she pleases so it's been great to have access to such high quality homes.  Thanks, Kathryn!

Japan and the mist

I found this photo yesterday from a 2004 Japan trip while moving files around different hard drives and thought I would share it here.

It was my first (and hopefully not last) trip to Japan.  I was often struck by the absolute calm and tranquility of the Japanese countryside that stands in direct contrast to the bustling energy of its larger metropolises.  This was shot at the Ise Shrine in the Mie Prefecture.

I had a very random and curious experience at this spiritual place with a young Japanese man.  He approached me quietly and after gaining my attention extended his had and gave me a sort of woven orange charm he purchased at the shrine as a spontaneous gift.  At first I thought he may have been a vendor or someone who wanted something from me.  But it was obvious he was just a pilgrim visiting the shrine.

When I asked him what the charm represented, he told me through an interpreter that the charm would bring health and spiritual protection to my unborn child. It struck me as odd since he was so specific about a baby and I'm a man and wasn't traveling with my wife. I bowed to thank him and he calmly smiled and meandered away down a graveled path into the misty rain.

Stranger still is that there was no way for him (or me) to know that my wife and I were about to become pregnant just a few weeks later.  Kathy was over 7000 miles away back home in Grand Rapids.

Could it have been just random luck that he sensed something and was inspired to give me a gift so specific to something that would come true just a short time later?  I was the only person this man approached...our interaction was so brief...it seems so surreal now.

Sparkle-ling out of obscurity

I started this blog on a whim last November not knowing if I would keep at it very long.  Or better yet if anyone would actually find it (much less read it).

That said, I've been amazed that people sometimes mention a specific entry when I bump into them in person. My stats page now says over 500 unique people stopped by in the last month and generated 1200+ page views. That's way more than I ever dreamed possible.

But my previous "Sparkle" post about a sign I saw in a Biggby Coffee shop illustrated how the web is both a vast wasteland AND a very, very small world at the same time.

"Sparkle" received a brief comment from the Co-founder and CEO of Biggby Coffee himself...can you imagine that? He's obviously a busy guy and focused on expanding his coffee empire (which I'm happy to help finance one cup 'o joe at a time).  He seems like a positive guy from his blog and for me it put a face to a fast growing Michigan-based franchise.

So just like that...we're connected in a small way.

I am very amused by all of this and the limitless connectivity of the web.  You never know who's out there paying attention (or stumbling upon) your site. Thanks for checking in now and then.  I'll strive to keep this little blog going.

Feelin' the Sparkle!

I was at a Biggby Coffee this morning and there was a sign asking if you could "feel the sparkle".

So I took that as an invitation for some serious introspection.

Verdict: I'm feeling a little sparkly today!

Night Photography Workshops - Dates Announced

Here we go!  After a long two-year absence, I'm very pleased to announce two special night photography workshops this summer.  We'll be shooting two different stretches of the river downtown in case anyone is interested in attending both workshops.  

If you know someone who might enjoy shooting with me, please pass this link along to them. My workshops are open to all skill levels (beginners to advanced amateur).  Here are the dates:

Sunday, June 8

7:30-11:30 PM

Location: Museum Row, Lighted Bridges and Hotels along the Grand

or

Sunday, August 3

7:30 - 11:30 PM

Location: 6th Street Bridge and Fish Ladder

Group sizes are small; only 15 participants in each class.  The cost is $75 for each workshop and includes some refreshments.  A tripod is necessary and the workshop is open to both digital and film cameras.  After you sign-up I'll email you a detailed itinerary and further instructions.

Our workshops go like this, we meet at the gallery for the first hour to discuss technique, exposure and composition.  Then we head out as a group to the pre-determined location to shoot the sunset and then full blown night images as it gets progressively darker.

It's a ton of fun!  I'm your guide and personal instructor, bouncing from student to student chatting and helping you make some really cool images at night!

Give it a try!   Send me an email to reserve your space soon.