Carol and Parker Get Married

Congratulations to Carol and Parker who were married on July 21st in Chicago. Peter Rossi and I were fortunate enough to be able to photograph their special day. It was beautiful day for a wedding and they were so much fun to photograph. Here are a few of my favorite shots.

Photostock 2012

Photostock [foh - toh - stok]
noun
1. a gathering of photographers in Northern Michigan



Spider web O'Neal Lake

   Photostock originated and organized by photographer Bill Schwab with the goal of "sharing work and inspiring one another to be better photographers and artists." Mission accomplished Bill. I met so many photographers the first official night of Photostock my head was spinning.There was a father and college son from Arkansas, a truck driver from England, a college Dean from New York, a photo podcaster from Ohio,  working and retired professional photographers and a lot in between. One gentleman said he barely even makes his own photographs, he just has a love for photography.    Most of the photographers I met there shoot film from 35mm to 8x10 with a few digital shooters. infra red, traditional black and white, wet plate and the list goes on. Every format every process is welcome and embraced. After the short sign in and meet and greet at the Birchwood Inn Harbor Springs, MI (photo op) a group of us headed to the historic Legs Inn (photo op). It was a beautiful country drive with winding roads (photo op). OK I think you get the 'picture'. There are photo ops everywhere and Bill knows them all.



Wet Plate

Legs Inn

 
    Back at the lodge that evening Bill gave a wonderful presentation of his work and his guided tours of Iceland. He also gave an inspiring talk to the diverse crowd of photographers about the creative and artistic process. His enthusiasm and excitement for the craft is contagious. The entire weekend I am told is just packed with sharing work, making work, demos and camaraderie in a very relaxed atmosphere. Oh, and I will neither confirm nor deny that a keg of Oberon led me to stay up until 1:30 and convince others get up at 5am and go shooting with me.



Photogravure Demo By Bill Schwab

    Early the next morning we drove down some really long two tracks in the middle of no where and I just started thinking. Where are we? Is my GPS on?! When we hit the end of the trail the morning sun was just beautiful, water, dead trees, forest. I was totally out of my element making me feel like a scared little puppy. Where is my windowless studio? No strobes, no moving one tree 2 feet to the right, no art director, just aperture, shutter and my eye. Most of the time I just walked around trying to remember how to see. Yeah, my images I did take pretty much looked like crap, but what happened though as I left my comfort zone (again) my creative brain got a jump start re-enforcing what Bill said in his talk. That if you are in a rut change it up like equipment or venue.



Portfolio Sharing

Moring Fog O'Neal Lake

    Unfortunately I had to leave after just one day. On my drive home I filled two napkins with ideas for future shoots that had nothing to do with nature or landscape. I was so inspired after just less than 24 hours that I can only imagine what I would have taken away if I where able to stay the entire weekend. I am told the weekend continued with a pinup style demo with a model, a presentation from Suzanne Revy and one from Andrew Moore.
    I am so glad that my good friend and fine art photographer Dan Henderson encouraged me to go for even one day. It was on an impulse on Wednesday eve the day before Photostock that I decided to go (I will neither confirm nor deny that Oberon played a part in my impulsive decision to go). In truth the whole adventure was out of my comfort zone with the socializing with new people and nature photography. Despite that I had an amazing time. So everyone right now join in my impulse for next June and mark your calendar for Photostock 2013. You can thank me later.

Hot Rod Power Tour 2012

Sunday was an amazing day for a car tour. The weather was perfect. The variety of cars was amazing! Every year Hot Rod Magazine sponsors a tour, "Seven days and seven city's" http://www.hotrod.com/2012/powertour/ This year they started in Detroit and will end in Texas. I saw cars from all over the US and even Canada. Hmmm will the Nova be able to make the trip next year?



I'm sure that he did not mean to stomp on it!





All the way from Kentucky.




Just a peak at the masses.




This bike is a fundraiser for the March of Dimes. http://md.lamarconstruction.com/



Many levels of cool!

Want to see more pictures? www.hollydegarmo.com/powertour2012  or Face Book

Memorial parade 2012

Grand rapids honored veterans during their annual Memorial day parade on the originally celebrated date May 30. The parade was followed by a remembrance ceremony at Veterans Park in Downtown Grand Rapids. The ceremony closed with an emotional 21 gun salute followed by taps. Thank You to all our Veterans and all that serve!

Mannies and Peddies and Up Dos Oh My

   Meet the ladies of Directions Hair Company.

Cathy VanderMeer owner and stylist along with Marlene and Mary offer many services including hair, manicures, pedicures, facials and waxing. They also do make up and up dos for dances and wedding parties. Next time you are in need of a pedicure stylist Mary recommends treating yourself to the margarita pedicure claiming "The entire experience is so worth it!"

Directions just celebrated it's 9th anniversary in April. "We really cater to the whole family" Says Cathy. There is a children's sized styling station for the kids to play and get comfortable with the process and the latest magazines in the super comfy waiting area include Popular Mechanics and Field & Stream.

When you are ready for some pampering remember the girls of Directions Hair Company for upscale services at very reasonable prices.

Visit Directions Hair Company on Face Book; Directions On Face Book (Click Here)
Or in person at:

8830 Belding Road NE

Rockford, MI 49341

616-874-2000

Mike the Trainer

I recently had the privlage of photographing Mike the Trainer who is also a body builder. He is 29 and single........ Here are a few of those images.

See More of Mike:

www.hollydegarmo.com/mikethetrainer

Pork Chops and sweet potatoes, that's swell!

The grilling season has begun. MMMMMM grilled pork chops and grilled sweet potatoes, yum!
Here's how:

Sweet Potatoes;
Stab repeatedly with fork and partially cook in microwave about 5 minutes.
When they are cool enough to handle cut up into steak fries, lightly cover in olive oil and sprinkle with Penzeys *Forward spice ( http://www.penzeys.com/ )
Grill on medium grill until perfect, about 10-15 minutes minutes.

Pork Chops;
Rub the pork chops with your favorite rub I like 33rd & Galena from Penzys spices (I swear they are not a sponsor. I just really like them) now rub your chops good! Sprinkle a little salt and pepper too. Let them sit out to room temperature. Grill on medium hot grill for about 5 minutes each side for 3/4 inch chops or until internal temperature reaches 145-160 degrees depending on whether you like nice tender juicy chops or nice safe jerky.

I served this with a balsamic reduction and of course ice cold beer always goes well with grilled foods. This time it was a my old stand by Bud Light. Sigh

New Puppy

So for fun I decided to photograph an 8 week old puppy. This is a challenge, but add a 100 pound German Shepard and 3 year old child (that refuse to stay off set) to the mix and you have instant chaos! Here are a few of the out take highlights.

Reuben Pizza

A Reuben pizza sounds crazy right?! It is so good. I had a hard time thinking about putting pickles on top until I found out Thousand Island dressing has pickles in it.

Here is how I made it:

Ingredients:
Pizza crust- Ready made or make your own
8oz package of shredded mozzarella cheese
Thousand Island dressing
4oz Sauerkraut well drained
8oz Corned Beef cut into chunks
2 pickle spears chopped

Use ready made pizza crust or make according to package directions. I used a good old Jiffy mix.

Spread a thin layer of Thousand Island dressing on crust.

Layer sauerkraut, corned beef, and mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes until crust is golden brown.

Top with chopped pickles and drizzle with more Thousand Island dressing. I also like to add some red pepper flake and grated Parmesan.

Yum.

Really.

Sugar cookies

I take a lot of pictures. That's what I do. Sometimes these pictures are forgotten on memory cards. These are some of those pictures. See the full gallery at www.hollydegarmo.com/cookies