Nate Seymour | Pt. 1

When I was home last I had the pleasure of photographing one of my best friends again.  I always enjoy shooting with Nate and he has so much potential as a model. More to come tomorrow! Just a teaser for tonight!  

Handcrafted | ArtPrize 2014

If you haven't made it to The Mitten Brewing Company yet to check out my ArtPrize piece, here are the images.  The environmental portrait series of West Michigan Brewers is called "Handcrafted."  I wanted this portrait series to be about the brewers as individuals.  So much of the growth of Grand Rapids as a city has come from these people pouring their passion into their beer.  They have brought to our community some great places to bond with loved ones, to laugh, to get to know each other, for deep conversation and I'm sure a few awkward first dates. I wanted to do a no bullshit portrait series in the place of their work with the best natural light I could find. For two weeks I traveled around West Michigan pulling my resources together to get this done.  I am so happy with my work and proud of it.  I am so proud of where I come from and the sense of community Grand Rapids embraces. I chose this project because of my love for craft beer.  While working at Perrin Brewing Company I really recognized the role of the brewer and the art of bringing craft beer to our draft lines.  They spent time with us every week teaching us about each beer and the brewing process.  It truly is an art.  Since then I have always felt like our breweries, our city and our beer get a lot of attention but the faces and hands behind it do not.

Cheers to our brewers!

Special thanks to all who participated: Odd Side Ales, Dark Horse Brewing Company, Arcadia Ales, Perrin Brewing Company, White Flame Brewing, Pike 51, Brewery Vivant, The Mitten Brewing Company and Founders Brewing Company.

Hopewell Rocks | Continued

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia met us with a wonderful afternoon at the beach and then rafting the tidal bore in the Shubenacadie River.  We rented an adorable cottage in the small town of Maitland, NS. We set out at 6:30 in the morning to wait for the tide to roll in. As the tide quickly moves in over the sand bars standing waves are created. When we rafted the waves were standing 9ft tall.    We took out rafts with 42hp propellers and drove into the waves head on.  We would then chase the standing waves down the river as they were created over more and more sand bars.  It was one of the most fun things I've ever done.  I've never heard my dad laugh so hard in my life. Rafting the tidal bore in the Bay of Fundy is an absolute must for your traveling adventures.  Being my 5th rafting trip - it was the most fun. Here are some pictures from Maitland and the beach!

Hopewell Rocks | Bay of Fundy | NB

The flight of stairs leading down onto the bare ocean floor reads "must be back at these stairs by 5pm." That day 5pm is when the muddy waters of the Bay of Fundy come rushing back in. By rushing back in, I mean that in a matter of a couple short hours there is 4o ft of water where you were just standing.  The water reaches all the way to the top of the rocks in the picture below where the 600 million year old rock formations start to bow out again.  Hopewell Rocks is located in New Brunswick, Canada situated in the Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tide change in the world.  .  Everyone should experience what it is like to truly walk about the ocean floor.  You are filled with wonder looking at cliffs hundreds of feet above you knowing that soon the waves of the river will be crashing upon them. The Bay of Fundy is a natural phenomenon and is the most surreal and fascinating place I have ever been.

Jordan | Bombshell Boudoir

This bombshell has supported her husband through 4 deployments and she wanted to give him something special when he returned home after seven long months in Afghanistan.  Meet Jordan: bringing West Coast glam to Rhode Island wherever she goes.  Jordan is my favorite photoshoot and Starbucks buddy.  She is always on par with my ideas and ready to get in front of the camera to show it off.  I really admire her for sticking it out in RI while her husband is away and her family and friends are on the opposite side of the country.  This summers session was Baking Boudoir.... no cupcakes were actually made. Bon Appetite!

The Thirsty Pig | Portland, ME

Day One - Stop One of my road trip up the coast of Maine into New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I've always heard such wonderful things about Portland, Maine.  I knew my first time in the state I would have to stop.  Coastal cities are my favorite cities to visit.  I love the mix of laid back salty beach goers with the liveliness a city offers.  Portland is known for its beer and that sits very well with my family and I.  We were only there for a few hours so I knew we just wanted to have a couple great meals and great beer to start the road trip off right.  I did a little research and we happened upon The Thirsty Pig. Located in Old Port right downtown by the water and was an  awesome atmosphere with local Maine beers and hand crafted sausages.   They make all of their specialty sausages in house.  I had not seen my dad or brother since February and this was the perfect place to catch up.  Next we went to In'finiti Fermentation and Distillation.  They served up some great samples of in house brewed beer.  We also really enjoyed the home-made pretzels and beer cheese.  Our view was a harbor full of lobster traps and when in Maine you eat lobster…or lobster mac n cheese.  I highly recommend these two places for a laid back dinner with a vibe you can't beat.

Cheers Portland!

Rachel | Newport Maternity Session

My beautiful sister came to visit me in June so naturally we had to take some photos do document her fifth pregnancy.  Yes, that is right, FIFTH pregnancy.  After blessing our family with four handsome boys she is finally getting a baby girl.  Cameron, Kaden, Brennan and Grayson are the lights of my life and I cannot wait to go home in September to see the birth of my new niece. I admire my sister so much for being so young and able to work as a Respiratory Therapist and take care of 4 boys, a husband and two dogs.  I would need about 5 naps a day if I were her! I am so blessed to have her as an older sister and I am so happy that in age we have grown so close. I value the advice she gives me so much and I cannot wait to have children of my own to add to the bunch....well I can wait but ya know. Miss you and I love you Rachel!

Nathan | Thomas Rudd

Last week I once again had the pleasure of photographing my favorite Elvis look alike in a bow tie made by my new favorite store in Newport, Thomas Rudd. You'll get the full story on them after I do a much anticipated photoshoot with them in the next couple of weeks. Tom and his wife Michelle have an extremely well designed storefront in Bowens Wharf full of classic american treasures with a nautical twist for the true American Gentleman. Michelle makes the bow ties and they can do everything custom including: monograming, custom cigar boxes, flasks, the coolest bottle openers ever, vintage prints, throw blankets, coasters, sunglasses and more. They are basically a goldmine if you are looking for gifts for your man, your dad, your groomsmen or any other men in your life. They do have some girly stuff too though!  Their dog Peter hanging out in the front is just the icing on the cake too. It is an extremely handsome store that truly matches their products. I'm so pumped to have the opportunity to photograph for them.

With these photos I will leave you my favorite quote about what in my opinion is a true american gentleman:

"The real power of a man is in the size of the smile of the woman sitting next to him."

You can contact them at: info@thosrudd.com or visit them online at www.thosrudd.com

Nina | Second Beach

I photographed Nina at the same time as my previous post, Kara.  She is a foreign exchange student living in Rhode Island from Germany.  When I first met her I knew I had to photograph her. When you see the shade of blue her eyes are, you will understand.  I was so impressed with how mature, calm and collected she is.  Nina returns to her home in Germany soon but I know the impact she has made on her friends here is one not to be forgotten. On a side note, I read this quote in an old issue of Real Simple magazine the other day and water to share:

"There seems to be a kind of order in the universe, in the movement of the stars and the turning of the Earth and the changing of the seasons, and even in the cycle of human life.  But human life itself is almost pure chaos." Katherine Anne Porter - Paris Review 1963

Kara | Second Beach

I recently photographed this bright young girl on Second Beach in Middletown, Rhode Island.  She was a fantastic model and I was itching to do some personal work after the start of wedding season.  Her wisdom exceeds her age and her beauty radiates through her eyes and smile.  Kara is wearing Free People and make-up by Urban Decay.