Into The Forest
If this is your first time hearing about the ongoing series I have named Into The Forest then let me give you a quick rundown. The series holds a special place in my heart as it was the first major endeavor in photography I embarked on after spending years in school and not shooting pretty much at all. I have always loved exploring the natural spaces of Michigan and decided I would try and capture the detail and beauty that the forest hides within. What started as a goal to get 2 finished photos every few weeks, turned into my first published book, and just continued growing. Soon I wasn't just shooting during my summer hikes but I was exploring the same locations every season and in any weather and became inspired be the variety I saw as the world slowly changed.
We have reached a point in this project where it is finally time for me to separate my works into different seasons, and with that a new challenge. To continue to add to this body of work each year, in each season, capturing the wonder and beauty of what the forests have to offer.
Into The Fall
Growing up in Michigan I have always been surrounded by the changing colors, and I have to admit after 30 years it's not as awe inspiring to me as it once was nor do I hold the same obsession for it as many others do. I have always been one to accurately recreate color and light to what we see as the human eye, and not boost or over saturate photos beyond what was really there. As someone who grew up near Cadillac on 40 acres in a cabin with no power the colors that some photographers post are not always true to life. Life tends to be more muted. So I never felt inspired enough to capture the fall colors unless it was requested by a client for portraits.
I think that is why I really challenged myself to extend my work this year and actually shoot photos during the fall capturing the colors before I return back the magic of black and white photography on film throughout the winter. Or maybe I was just stuck and needed to escape the world for a bit. Either way it lead me on a 2 hour journey to a part of Michigan I had never explored. My planned 3 mile hike on a trail I mapped out didn't exist and I was not prepared for the 8-12 miles it would take me on. Slightly defeated I decided to make my way back to the jeep and go ride some trails looking for inspiration while enjoying having an off-road vehicle. A sentiment shared by PureMichigan who would later repost my image of a trail I stopped to capture along the way.
On the trail in Huron National Forest near Oscoda, MI. Featured on PureMichigan Instagram account.
Beyond The Forests
I started this project shortly after COVID in 2021, at first I was just exploring my local state park. This really helped me figure out the form of the series but you can only shoot the same thing so many times before your photographer friends start getting really irritated with you. I recently traveled to Nashville where I got to go on a hike to Burgess Falls, The experience certainly inspired me to not only continue the series for many years to come but also plan on exploring the forests beyond Michigan. There are so many beautiful places that are not virally known and finding those locations honestly sounds like the most fun to me. All this to say you probably won't see Yosemite, or Redwood photos from me any time soon.
Support the Series
This project has been a labor of love for me but that doesn't mean it comes without cost. Traveling to these locations, purchasing film, and developing chemicals as many of the works available for print were taken on film adds up. If you love these images and would like to add them to your home you can purchase prints directly from my site by clicking the button to the right.
If you would like more personal images I have begun offering to capture the same style of images of clients properties in Michigan to add a personal touch to their rustic homes. Feel free to contact me to discuss pricing and scope for such projects.
