Blog
Some projects around the city I’ve shot for O’Boyle, Cowell, Blalock, & Associates, Inc. (OCBA), the landscape architect behind many of Grand Rapids’ improved parks and streetscapes! Pictured in order are Lookout Park (Belknap Lookout), Pearl Street, Joe Taylor Park (Baxter Neighborhood), and Monument Park (Fulton St/Division Ave).
I photographed the cover and main feature for the May 2020 “Top Docs” issue of Grand Rapids Magazine! As with the “Arts Preview” cover story I shot for the magazine last September, this project was challenging yet very rewarding. Directing people (not to mention busy, in-demand doctors!), working with studio lighting, and scheduling all the shoots wasn’t a stroll in the park, but as always, I’m glad I took on the challenge.
Here’s a piece I photographed for the current issue of Grand Rapids Magazine featuring executive chef and general manager of Forty Pearl (www.fortypearlgr.com), Taylor Boeschenstein and Alivia Rutkowski. Along with the Leelanau-based Brengman Brothers wine that they offer, Forty Pearl recently added a full food menu—a perfect place to visit once these COVID-19 lockdown days are over! Read the story at www.grmag.com/food-drink/leelanau-casual/
Kent County Credit Union in Grand Rapids’s growing Creston neighborhood is rolling into the new decade with style thanks to a facelift from McGraw Construction. The group photo at the bottom shows how the space looked before!
My first shoot with interior designer, Melissa Frederiksen, of Atmosphere 360 Studio (www.atmosphere360studio.com) at her latest project in Holland, MI!
This past February, I took a peaceful 3-hour trip in the snow up north to this impressive Lake Michigan waterfront home in picturesque Leland, Michigan, to photograph this super cool installation by Glass Flooring Systems out of New Jersey (www.glassflooringsystems.com). This home has a 3-story indoor rock climbing wall with a stairway alondside it with walkable glass floors on each of the landings. It was really nice to have the place to myself for a few hours to get all the shots I needed. You’ll notice I make a cameo in a few of the shots!
Plymouth Christian High School in Grand Rapids asked me to talk about what it’s like being a photographer at their annual career fair! It was a lot of fun to be a part of; the students were really nice, and the whole event was very well run. Maybe I inspired a future photographer?!
Favorite shot from my latest shoot with interior designer, Rachel Schergen, of Alynn Loft (www.alynnloft.com)! Rachel turned a mundane guest bathroom into a sophisticated space featuring aged brass and Navajo designer wallpaper. The resident curious cat jumped up on the vanity while I was working—a cat always makes a shot better! The cat is a Savannah, a hybrid cat that’s a cross between a domestic cat and a serval (wild African cat!).
Grand Rapids Magazine sent me out to take photos of Carol Moore who purchased the long-neglected Third Reformed Church at 1001 Hermitage St. SE in the East Hills neighborhood. She plans to take about 5 years to gradually transform the space into a community art center, with the help of donations. Carol is my hero for taking it upon herself to preserve awesome historic buildings like this!
Here’s some shots from my latest photo shoot with the good people at AHC+ Hospitality! This is at the JW Marriott-Grand Rapids’ International Ballroom which they recently finished renovating in time for the Wedding Showcase in January.
