Trick-or-Treat

Happy Halloween everyone! I don't know when you are considered too old to be excited about costumes and carving pumpkins but I for one still am. So there.

Brisk.

Warm weather enterprise hunting has quickly been replaced by chilly weather art. Today was my first day back at the Press since my eight day excursion at MSU and I have to admit,I wasn't expecting to miss the paper as much as I did. Today was pretty slow so I ended up driving around looking for pictures of kids bundled up. Nothing super exciting, but the simple act of feature hunting was enjoyable after being away. I love you, Photojournalism :)

My Week at MSU

For the last six days I have been shooting a freelance job for Michigan State University through a Grand Rapids marketing firm. We are highlighting the ten different majors within MSU's School of Agriculture, shooting environmental portraits of students from each major. Andy, the art director on the project, and I, have been tromping all over the campus, shooting at farms, greenhouses and in fields with sheep stalking us. This picture is of a student named Gail who works at the school's dairy farm from sun up to sun down. Shortly before this, Gail helped deliver a baby calf that we witnessed with wide eyes. I did photograph the birth, although I don't think the marketing department will be using those shots to recruit students :)

For Cassie...

My second-cousin-once removed-in-law, Cameron, (it took a minute to figure that out), and his mom and dad came to visit Chris and I in Grand Rapids from across state in August. We took some pictures in Grand Haven and it was so much fun enjoying one of the last few beach weekends of the season. We topped it off with a trip to Culvers and Cameron was an extremely good sport :)

Swing!

Delight

I shot this photo for a story about a woman named Delight Lester (yes, that's her real name) who teaches dance lessons to children and adults with disabilities. This was the first night I met Delight, it was just before a soccer game, she and the girls were going to perform a half time show. They practice together every Saturday at a studio in Grand Rapids and I hope to follow it further. The song they ended up dancing to was by the Cheetah Girls, I don't know the name of it but the lyrics were about how we are all the same inside, even though me may not look like it.

Deondre

One year old Deondre Jefferson suffers from high lead levels. I took this portrait for a story about racial disparities and the health of children.

View from the Top

I went on my first hot air balloon ride this morning and despite my fear of heights, it was amazing. Chris was actually my connection- his station was doing a piece on ReMax's 30th anniversary and he was going to stream video from this little hand held phone in the air. When he found out he was getting a free balloon ride, he asked if he could bring his wife and so up I went! For some reason these photos are showing up pixely on the blog, but are quite clear in photoshop, particularly the last red photo, on the left. Post if you have any ideas...

Walking to My Car on the Night Shift

I constantly see pictures. I do not always stop to make them. I am trying to take more time to stop and capture the things I see while driving, walking, rushing from place to place. I shot these photos while walking back to my car after a lecture assignment downtown.

Julia.

Fresh Fall Air

It's that time of year again. I love the fall. Love it. Love the sweaters, and the cider, and the football and the apples. These were taken at Post Family Farms on Saturday, which was beautiful. I was assigned to shoot the corn maze for an entertainment peice and brought Chris out with me. We went for a hayride and got a pumkin for our front porch :)

Pulaski Days

Nigel Barker...

On Thursday fashion photographer and America's Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker spoke about Richard Avedon at the Grand Rapids Art Museum and when I saw the assignment slip I immediatly requested it. This portrait is of Nigel and our Grand Rapids Press online winner. The podium shots of Nigel were limiting but I thought this was fun because he looks so sassy (and hot). I'm sorry but how can I resist a man who A.) Speaks in a brilliant British accent B.)Takes amazing photographs and C.)Saves baby seals.

Observer.

I photographed this girl watching Barack Obama yesterday when he was at Calder Plaza. I've covered so many political rallys in the past few months I was okay being stuck outside the gates this time. His voice was booming across Ottawa Avenue as he spoke and I had fun photographing all the faces of people as they listend.

Morning Sun on M-37