In the North Woods - Michigan and Ohio Environmental Portrait Photographer

When I discovered I would be photographing the beautiful DK, I was delighted. When I found the session would be in the divine woods behind her north woods home, I was ecstatic! In addition to the challenges of shooting in 90 degree heat (with equally high humidity) and the extreme light/shadows of a 3PM sunny day, I knew it would provide some very unique & personal portraits. DK is the owner and artistic force in her interior design and decorating company. She is also a nature lover and very much at home in the woods and wilds. And of course there is her fur child who delights her to no end!

What I love about environmental portraiture (on location) is that it really says something about the person being photographed and it is a very relaxing setting for the person (as relaxing as it can be with a camera pointing at you!). I enjoy forging connections - really getting to know people, and photographing them in their personal landscape.

I felt DK looked like a gorgeous wood nymph in her dress, and tried to photograph and process the portraits with that feel in mind. These are some of my favorites from the session.

Patty & Bob - Strangers 8 & 9 /31 Strangers Project { Michigan Portrait Photographer }

While in northern Michigan, the Strangers Project came with me! For 2 days, we had incredible dense fog along the Lake Michigan shore. It made for some spectacular shots while hiking, but it also was beautiful in Crystal Gardens in Frankfort, Michigan - one of my favorite places to wander & look for plants. While there, the fog rolled in even heavier & I thought I should take advantage of it for my stranger shots. Meet Patty - Stranger 8. She came to Crystal Gardens one day about 22 years ago looking for a job. She got the job & has loved it so much she never left! She said that what is even better than being in northern Michigan, is being there & having a job you love! I don't think I have ever met an unhappy person while on my trips Up North. I also ran into Bob (Stranger 9) wandering through the greenhouses. He said he is an amateur photographer who is inspired by the beauty of the area.