Going North

I'm heading home for the 4th of July! I'm planning on taking lots of pictures, but I'm not sure what kind of internet connection I'll have, if any ;) I'll be everywhere between Duluth with friends, Gilbert with my family, in Eveleth celebrating with the entire town, and Lake Vermilion with my extended family. In spirit, I'm already there! I pretty much grew up on Lake Vermilion at the cabin, it's where we spent our summers my entire life, and where I have countless good memories! My heart has been absolutely aching to be there - it's been two years! (I was there over Christmas, but it's just not the same ;) I can't wait to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with the lake, the trees, the sky, my family, and my soul :)

...So goodbye for a while I'm out to learn more
About who I really was before
Yeah I'm Going North

Up where the hunted hide with ease
Under the arms of eye-less trees
Up where the answers fall like leaves
Oh and your love is all I need
Yeah I'm Going North

(from "Going North" by Missy Higgins)

I apologize in advance for not answering emails in a timely fashion! I'll be back on July 7th :)

Summer Lovelies

These last two pics: do you know what this plant is? Well, you probably should ;) It's poison ivy! Poison ivy can take on many different shapes, so watch out for it. It has three leaves in a cluster, and does not have serrated edges like a strawberry plant does. It can, however, have irregular edges, like the ones in my photos. It's all over my walking trail, but luckily, I'm not allergic to it. I run around out there in my sandals with the dogs with no problems. I do rinse my feet & ankles off when I get back inside, just in case ;) If you come into contact with poison ivy, I advise you do the same! Some research says you can use a mild soap, but not warm or hot water. Warmer water spreads the irritant's oil, whereas the cold will wash it away. There. Your biology lesson and friendly Public Service Announcement for the day! For more info, visit www.poison-ivy.org

Family in the Park

I met with this great family last week at Ah-Nab-Awen Park downtown Grand Rapids. They are so full of love and energy, and have baby #4 on the way! Congratulations you guys, I can't wait to meet the new little one!

In the Darkroom

"Window Lily"


I've been taking a Black & White Darkroom class at Kendall College of Art & Design for the past few weeks. While I do very much enjoy the art of black & white photography, the darkroom and I have a love/hate relationship. Being a digital photographer and graphic designer, this has been a huge lesson in patience! (What? You mean I can't plug in my USB and instantly have hundreds of images before me?!) Film and darkroom processing is definitely its own art form, and I have a ton of respect for those who choose to stick with it. While I love learning about the process and trying new techniques, I don't think I'll be hanging up my Digital SLR any time soon ;)

I do, however, truly enjoy shooting with my Canon AE-1 Program. It is the camera that my parents bought shortly after I was born. I lost my dad a few years ago, so using his camera has really meant a lot to me. Not only is it the camera I learned with, but the manual has my mom's handwritten notes in it, and the lenses and cumbersome carrying case are the original ones that my dad picked out and was so proud of. That case also holds the bittersweet memory of childhood... it is stained with smoke from the house fire that took our home and most of our belongings when I was 4 years old. The camera survived, and has taken many photos of us kids growing up, and has been with me since I left home for college. I love shooting with it... regardless of the darkroom being a tedious process. It's true what they say though, there is something special about film photography. There's nothing quite like seeing your image slowly and magically appear in that tray of developer ;)



"Jamie" - alternative process - high contrast filter, laid objects on photographic paper while exposing negative in enlarger



"Vintage Daisies" - alternative process - high contrast filter used with thick fibrous light diffuser, dirty glass over photographic paper while exposing

Alishan & Mike :: Rehearsal Dinner

On Friday evening, Alishan & Mike held their rehearsal dinner at a friend's house along the river. It was a warm summer evening; the perfect setting for a lovely, casual cookout with friends & family on the night before their wedding. I had a great time, and all of the guests did too. Congratulations, Alishan & Mike. I have no doubt that your wedding was absolutely amazing, and I wish you the very best!













The lovely hostesses - amazing job you two - everything went beautifully!






Such a gorgeous evening - thanks again for having me!