GR Boxing - MLK Gym

I'm part of a small Leadership Grand Rapids team that has chosen to work on a special project for GR Box...an amazing gym located in Martin Luther King Park on the city's southeast side. 

In short, the volunteers at this boxing gym teach boxing skills to kids ages 7-19 as a way to help mentor kids, inspire them, be a friend, and keep them in school and off the streets.

Last night I met a couple of State champion boxers in the program...great kids. Our goal is to create a multi-faceted awareness program to help GR Box recruit more adult volunteers, and reach out to various after school programs and churches to let them know that this resource is available for kids.

I'll be shooting at the gym a lot over the next few months...it's an inspiring place that I feel quite lucky to be around.

and this one too

This gives you some idea of the scale...but it's probably only about 2/3 of the crowd.

ZOMBIES!!

Zombies in downtown Grand Rapids...there were thousands of them.

Rockettes make the cover!

It's VERY satisfying to see a result like this for my clients Madison Square Garden and Wondergem Consulting!

Thanks to the Revue team for making a fantastic looking cover!

The Rotunda

I had the pleasure of going with my daughter Hanna's exuberant 4th grade class to Lansing today to visit the State capitol. Although I've been to Lansing many times, I had never before been inside our Capitol Building.

It was a great tour. I was truly moved by the beauty of this building, its architecture, history and attention to detail.

I only wish our legislative and executive branches weren't so intent on polluting the process of serving the people of Michigan with personal politics and greed. The last 4 years have been an embarrassment to all that work inside this building...they've filled it full of gridlock and grand standing.

Shame on them...they don't deserve such a nice office.

back home

I drove over 1600 miles in 5 days...got back late Tuesday night. My trip to northern michigan and the U.P. was a blur of beautiful fall colors, historic downtowns...and bad hotels.

I once again was impressed by the beauty of our state and how vital our water resources are... everything possible should be done to protect them.

more Tahquamenon Falls

into the mist

I've always wanted to shoot Tahquamenon Falls in the UP...but amazingly I've only shot in the Les Cheneaux Islands previous to this trip.

I arrived at the upper falls in the late afternoon today and found I was shooting squarely into the sun...not ideal.

But with a little help from a mild breeze, the mist off the falls was backlit.

Autumn in the U.P.

Many of you know I'm on an extended assignment shooting all over Michigan...this photo is from Hancock in the Keweenaw Peninsula in the U.P.

I thought the fall colors might be past prime already way up here...but boy was I wrong!

Michael Moore and Me

Today I was shooting in downtown Traverse City outside the State Theater. I pretty engrossed in shooting the facade of this lovely theater and wasn't paying much attention to anything else.

This guy walks up to me and asks, "Hey...where are you from?"

This is a pretty common question when you carry around a large camera and I'm used to being approached...but this time I looked up and it's Michael Moore standing there.

We chatted for a few minutes...he was curious who I was working for. He seemed like a really nice guy...almost made me want to go bowling with him.

At the end of the conversation I asked if I could take his picture and he said, "Sure, I know you're not the paparazzi because you asked permission."

Up North for a while

I'm leaving Friday morning on a 5 day trip to shoot a couple of amazing assignments. I'll be shooting all over northern Michigan.

I'll try to post some a photo or two each day. It looks like I'll have some good weather at least for a few of those days.

banjo player in the living room

I recently had this strange dream about a banjo player...luckily I was able to snap this picture before I woke up.

Massive Pillow Fight Downtown

The Pillow Fight at Rosa Parks Circle today...very surreal.

Another reason GR is the coolest city on the planet.

Umm...you need to watch this

Willy Porter is unbelievable...it's as if he plays guitar with 4 hands. I can't wait for his show on November 9 at The Photography Room.

Check out this video...imagine being a few feet away...and order your tickets here:

Willy Porter Concert - November 9

Wow...I've wanted Willy Porter to play at The Photography Room for about a year now and it's finally going to happen!

Willy Porter

Here's the link to order tickets (only $20!) from Brown Paper Tickets:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/45164

Our capacity is only 120...so there isn't a bad seat in the house. Willy has a tremendous and loyal following and this is sure to be a very special evening!

Here's a video of Willy playing "Available Light".

And here is "Flying":

Park(ing) Day in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids = Coolest City on the Planet

Thanks to my new friends Corey of Dot&Cross and Jason of KantorWassink for having some fun with me at their parking garden.

PS - click on each photo for a larger view

UICA Ground Breaking

UICA has officially broken ground on a new facility...with their typical artistic flair.

Feel free to suggest a caption for this photo...

Glen Phillips Concert - December 4

My wife Kathleen and I are pleased to announce that Glen Phillips is returning to Grand Rapids to perform at The Photography Room on Thursday, December 4.

Glen's show with us in April was sold out...here's a video. I still keep bumping into people telling me how amazing his performance was (you truly had to be there).

Here's the link to order tickets. We are using a new (and better) online ticket broker and you'll will be receiving physical tickets in the mail:

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/43560

See you at the show...you won't want to miss it!

Rockettes at Wealthy Street Bakery!

I'd venture a guess and say that 9 AM is not the most convenient time for a bakery to have four Radio City Rockettes, a photographer and two assistants, a public relations person, as well as the media relations person for the Rockettes drop in for a little photo shoot...

....whoops, forgot the limo driver too.

The staff at Wealthy Street Bakery were so accommodating and helpful...thanks, everyone!

And when my head wasn't completely lost in figuring out exposures and color balances, it was GREAT to listen to the reactions of customers coming in for a morning jolt of coffee.

It's not a stretch to say that everyone loves the Radio City Rockettes...

Rockettes at the Calder!

I just might have the most interesting job ever. The last few days are an example why.

Last week I shot some incredible penthouses for Rapid Growth Media published in this article.

On Tuesday I shot some INSANE window cleaners from the helipad of the JW Marriott for Rapid Growth Media...check out the article here.

On Wednesday I spent the morning shooting for the Radio City Rockettes. I just put a couple more shots up on my regular web site here.

Not a bad gig if you can get it...I'm very lucky to have such amazing clients.

Oh, and next week I'm shooting a story on skydiving in West Michigan for Rapid Growth...jeronimooooooooo!!