ArtPrize's Rick DeVos -Round 2

Another photo from my shoot with Rick DeVos of ArtPrize.

You can find my other entry from this shoot here.

Little Trees at GRAM

Random shot...I love this side of the Art Museum.

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.

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.

...oh and I shot a 5 million dollar Warhol too!

Just adding to my post below about my unusual week...I forgot to add this detail:

I was also fortunate to shoot a very special project for the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM). They needed a high resolution file to produce a replica of an extremely valuable Andy Warhol print that is part of the new Warhol exhibit that opened last night.

This truly amazing Warhol print was donated to the museum by a generous local art philanthopist. GRAM wanted to replace the original print with a replica so the owner could still enjoy their beloved Warhol in their home...a great idea and a win/win for everyone.

Unfortunately I won't post the photo here. I'll err on the side of confidentiality and not reveal the piece. I was quite impressed when told that the print is so rare that at a recent auction the same print commanded in the neighborhood of $5,000,000.

Now that's a nice neighborhood....don't you think?

And please go check out the Warhol exhibit and support GRAM. It's a major coup for the organization and an amazing exhibit!