East Lansing Michigan Photographer-Todd L Church-Wedding and Portrait Specialist

Sleeping Bear Dunes Photography Workshop 2

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 Posted in Model Photography Workshops, Models

Bevin and I hosted another photography workshop last Sunday at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake-shore. This time we had a good mix of photographers and models. The word got out from our last workshop that these things are fun. People come away with great images and hopefully a little more than they had going in.

The dunes were hot as the temperature soared to 90 degrees. A few of the attendees dove in to Lake Michigan to cool off. These two girls are roommates

Amy standing on golden shores

This was taken in the hour leading up to the sunset, which is otherwise known in photography circles as the “golden hour.” You can see from these pictures that the light gives the photographs a golden tone. Even the rocks on the shore look like nuggets of gold.

Charlotte Morgan is new to modeling but she loves to come out and try new poses.

Kayla Lehn carpooled with Amy Sevenksi. Neither one of them have ever driven themselves to dunes. They were the almost the first to arrive.

Arielle LaHaye frequently models around Traverse City. She has been involved in a few modeling contests and has worked with a number of local photographers.

All-in-all I think the workshop went well. The dunes present a special challenge for this type of workshop. Climbing up and down the dunes is a lot of work.
So if you forget something in the car there is little chance of going back to get it. I’m not that energetic when it comes to climbing over dunes in 90 degree heat.

Once you get over the hills however, the views are spectacular and absolutely worth the climb.

Tags: Michigan National Parks, Michigan photography workshops, modeling comp, modeling for a photographer, modeling instruction, modeling workshop, Pure Michigan, sleeping bear dunes, todd l church photography, Traverse City Camera Workshops, Traverse City Photographers.Pictures of the Dunes, Up North Vacations, What to do in Northern Michigan

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Photo shoot with Meg Howard

Friday, August 27, 2010 Posted in Models

Jumping at several small opportunities may get us there more quickly than waiting for one big one to come along. ~Hugh Allen

Meg Howard and I were planning to shoot together for several weeks but for one reason or another we weren’t able to put it together. Well, this past Tuesday things seemed to fall in line nicely. My friend Brian Harwood had taken delivery of his new Alienbees and Terry Clark had mentioned over the weekend that he had set up his pole barn as a small photo studio. As luck would have it Meg and I finally found a day that we could shoot. That day was Tuesday.

I called Brian and Terry and set up the shoot. It took us a while to get everything set the way we wanted it but once the lighting was in place everything else just seemed to flow.

Meg is a gorgeous model. She was the perfect person to photograph.

Meg brought along her old prom dress. I’m glad she did.

Terry’s wife, Jodie brought out a fan so we could get the blowing hair effect. Notice how the background is a different color from the photograph on top. It’s actually the same backdrop. The only difference is that I moved Meg out a little and increased my shutter speed. We also wanted dramatic light so I put various grids on the light to give it more of a spotlight effect as you can see in the next photograph.

Notice the difference in the light produced by the honeycomb grid as opposed to the soft-box.

This Sunday I am hosting another model photography workshop at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I also do private shoots with models to help them build a portfolio. Feel free to contact me for rates.

Tags: beauty, brunette, comp card, comps photographer, dark haired, hot, lovely, magazine, Meg Howard, michigan photographer, Michigan photography workshops, model, modeling, photographer, photography, photography rates, playboy, portfolio, sleeping bear dunes, todd l church photography, Traverse City, Traverse City Camera Workshops, where to get model comps

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Photo adventure with Amy Sevenski

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Posted in Models

You may remember Amy Sevenski from my post about our workshop held at the barns of the former state hospital in Traverse City. I wanted to try a new photo technique so I asked Amy if she’d like to help by modeling for me. She was happy to oblige. I picked Amy up after she got out of work and we went on a windy photo adventure around Traverse City that ended at the marina on Grandview Parkway. Amy is a natural at modeling and the photos came out looking spectacular to say the least. But rather than just tell you I would leave it to you to decide for yourself.

We started at a plant nursery that we found off from highway 72 in Traverse City. It was closed for the day so it gave us the perfect opportunity to shoot without worrying about spectators. I had Amy sit near some plants that matched the pattern in her dress and I place the flowers all around her for effect.

Amy’s eyes are naturally blue. I asked if she wore contacts and she said she did but that they were clear and added no color. This photo was taken out on the Old Mission Peninsula. It was incredibly windy and I had a difficult time setting up the lighting. I positioned the softbox to Amy’s side pointing away from the wind to keep it from blowing over. We also had to hurry. We got to the location just as the sun was setting on the horizon. You can see from Amy’s hair that the wind was blowing pretty hard. She had a difficult time keeping her hair tame and out of her face.

The sun is almost gone but it still gave me enough of a kick to make the shot.

Here you can see the effect of putting the lighting with the softbox off to the side. I like the effect that it creates in that position. Sometimes what seems like a challenge is actually an opportunity.

This series of photos represents the main reason we did the shoot. I wanted to try lighting at night with the bokeh in the background. Amy and I had fun on our photo adventure. The photos were coming out so nice it was difficult to stop shooting.

Tags: amy sevenski, barns, beauty, blonde, blue eyes, bokeh, CTO gell, flash, highway 72, marina, michigan photographer, michigan photography, model training, modeling, models, night photography, Northern Michigan, Old Mission peninsula, photographer, photography, portrait photography, senior photography, soft box, strobist, sunset, teen, Traverse City, young

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The Land America Leaves Wild

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Posted in Events

(Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore by Diana Wege)

I had the unique opportunity to photograph an art reception at the Interlochen Center of the Arts. The artist’s name was Diana Wege and her show titled, “The Land America Leaves Wild” was hosted by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. The reception was held at the Herbert H. and Barbara C. Dow Center for Visual Arts building at Interlochen.

Diana is a very talented artist and the show looked wonderful in that gallery setting. I brought my good friend and fellow photographer, Bevin Buchler, to help photograph the art works and the reception. We did both separately. Photographing the artwork was a fun and challenging experience. I took care of the lights, and final edits and Bevin photographed the artwork.

Bevin Buchler photographing Diana Wege’s artwork

Diana Wege and Glen Chown. Glen is the executive director of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.

Diana Wege speaking to her admirers.

Diana Wege and her father, Peter Wege

During the reception I overheard someone talking to Diana’s father about a book he had written. He was also signing autographs in the lobby at the end of the show. Peter Wege is ninety-years-old and Bevin was fascinated by his hands. She captured several photographs of him signing autographs. After the reception Bevin decided to do some research on Peter and discovered that his father founded Steelcase in Grand Rapids. The company is the largest manufacturer of office furniture in the world. Peter later started the Wege Foundation. Here’s an excerpt from the foundation website;

Peter Wege started The Wege Foundation in 1967 out of his love for the Earth and all its people. In the book he wrote in 1998, Economicology: The Eleventh Commandment, Peter coined the word "Economicology" to sum up his environmental philosophy. A prosperous economy depends on a healthy ecology. Economy + Ecology = Economicology.

Diana’s show follows her through all the fifty states as she finds and paints scenes of nature. The show is a culmination of 15 years worth of work. You can find Diana’s book by clicking here

Tags: arts organizations, conservancy, diana wege, foundation, glen chown, grand rapids, grand traverse regional land conservancy, Herbert H. and Barbara C. Dow Center for Visual Arts, interlochen, land america leaves wild, Michigan, natural, nature, paintings, peter wege, pictured rocks, states, steelcase, wege foundation

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Photography Workshop – Village of Grand Traverse Commons Barns

Wednesday, August 11, 2010 Posted in Model Photography Workshops

Bevin and I were chatting on Facebook when we decided to host another photography workshop. This time the workshop was located at the barns in the former State Hospital Grounds in Traverse City. We didn’t have too much time to plan. We gave ourselves less than a week. We invited people through Facebook and word spread. The turnout was HUGE. I’m not sure exactly how many people, models and photographers, showed up but everyone seemed to have a great time. We were honored to also have a former National Geographic Photographer attend. How cool is that?

Bruce Dale approached me during the workshop and handed me his card. I never met him before and didn’t recognize the name. We talked casually about the workshops and how they operate. Generally people just show up and start shooting. I believe that the only way to improve is by doing. It helps to compare your photographs with the photos of others and to talk about technique and share ideas. My own learning process is by trial and error.

Bruce was with me when I was talking to one of the moms about our model release forms. I told her that the photographers who attend the workshops normally use the photos for portfolio and not for selling. Just then Bruce piped up and said that he has 2,000 images in the National Geographic and was there to test a prototype Panasonic camera. I later discovered it was a Lumix GH2. He said he was going to use the images at the Photokina fair in Germany. My jaw dropped. Wow! That’s impressive! Bruce has too many accomplishments to list here. It’s probably best to hear it in his own words.

I am glad he came to our workshop and I can’t wait to see the resulting video and images. As I said. We had several very talented photographers and models who attended. I love to see all the creativity that comes from getting people together with a common interest and artistic goal in mind. It’s the main reason I do these workshops. (update: The local newspaper did a story about this. You can read it by CLICKING HERE.)

Lindsy Laway and Kent Wicksell. These two didn’t know each other but they look like they do.

Lindsy Laway came all the way from Charlevoix.

Katie Withrow

Katie is a student at Michigan State University.

Michigan State has some of the prettiest girls. (I may be a little biased because of my alumni status)

Charlotte Morgan has been wanting to come to a workshop for a long time. She finally made it.

These two are sisters. Can you tell? Amy and Leslie Sevenski. I’ve worked with Leslie before. This is Amy’s first time.

Amy has the look of a great model.

Arielle LaHaye

I had Arielle look at me from under a sunflower. I love the effect of the color reflecting on her face.

Michelle Michael and I went to the corn field to try and get a good shot.
It was difficult holding the reflector with one hand and the camera in the other.

Bevin and I are planning more workshops in the future. We love getting together with people and exercising our creativity. Besides, you never know who might show up to a workshop. Maybe next time it will be Annie Leibovitz.

Tags: Bruce Dale, camera training, Digital photography magazine, girls, lighting techniques, lighting tips, lighting workshop, model workshop, models, National Geographic, National Geographic photographer, Northern Michigan, on location photography workshops., photographing women, point and shoot, senior photography, state hospital, Traverse City Camera Workshops, village at Grand Traverse Commons

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Traverse City Area Photography Workshops

Saturday, August 7, 2010 Posted in Model Photography Workshops

I am in Traverse City these days and have been hosting free photography workshops with the help of my good friend Bevin Buchler. Our last workshop was held at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The idea for that workshop was to do a sunset shoot using models so that people could practice lighting in those conditions.

Walking on the dunes with all our camera gear in 80 degree heat is no easy task but we were able to manage.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes is a perfect setting for photography workshops. The water is warm and inviting and the views are spectacular. If I would have had my swim trunks I would have taken a dip.

Brian Harwood

Brian Harwood.

Bevin and Sarah

This is me talking to Sarah and Ashley about exposure and camera settings (photo by Brian Harwood).

We met Bree on the beach. She was visiting the dunes on her way to California and she was nice enough to model for us.

The girls practicing the hair whip.

Bevin and I are hosting another workshop tomorrow, August 8th, at the State Hospital in Traverse City. We have 27 people signed up so far on Facebook and another 25 who said they might come. That should be lots of fun. Photography is a fun way to meet people and interact. I always enjoy getting together and talking about photography.

Tags: Bevin Buchler, Brian Harwood, model training, modeling, modeling workhsop, models, photography training, photography workshop, sleeping bear dunes, todd l church photography, Traverse City, Traverse City Camera Workshops, workshop

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Behind the scenes: Michael Moore on Larry King Live

Sunday, August 1, 2010 Posted in Fun stuff

Michael Moore recently broadcast an episode of Larry King Live from downtown Traverse City Michigan during the opening party of the Traverse City Film Festival, which he founded along with New York Times bestseller Doug Stanton (Horse Soldiers), Director Larry Charles (Borat) and local photographer, John Robert Williams.

I was one of the film festival’s photographers. The festival (currently in it’s 6th year) is driven by volunteer efforts. I have volunteered as a photographer since 2006. This year’s opening day festivities were different than previous years because the opening party was held at night to coincide with Larry King’s schedule. I got some great photos of Michael Moore behind the scenes and I also got a shot of the man who heckled him at the end of the broadcast. You can see me towards the beginning of this broadcast. Look for the guy holding the camera over his head.

Michael Moore on Larry King Live (Part 1}

Click this link to parts 2, 3 and 4

Now for some behind the scenes shots.

This is the guy who heckled Moore towards the end of the broadcast.

I had nothing to do with the making of the video above. I like the song and the video gives you a good idea of how the opening went.

Tags: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, BP, British Petroleum, Civilian Casualties, Deepwater Horizon, Flotilla, Freedom, Gaza, George W. Bush, Gulf of Mexico, Hamid, Helmand, Insurgents, Iraq, Israel, Kabul, Kandahar, Karzai, McChrystal, Michael Moore, NATO, Obama, Offshore Drilling, Oil Spill, Pakistan, Palestine, Pentagon, President, Protest, Protesters, Stanley, Taliban, todd l church, traverse city film festival

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Matt and Kristie Pahl’s Northern Michigan Wedding

Saturday, July 31, 2010 Posted in Weddings

Kristie is a emergency room nurse and Matt is an engineer. They met in Northern Michigan and have been together for the past six years. They finally decided to get married and chose Greystone Mansion near Honor, Michigan. Kristie originally wanted the wedding at the beach in Frankfort but changed her plans because of the logistics. They had a beautiful outdoor wedding but it was in the courtyard rather than the beach.

Kristie took a moment to pause and look at herself in the mirror after putting on her wedding dress for the first time.

The Greystone Mansion has a wonderful courtyard with a water garden, a stone pathway, a Monet bridge and a covered gazebo. Kristie looked radiant in her dress outside in the courtyard.

The wedding was well attended although the ceremony itself was short and to the point (Kristie’s style exactly).

Kristie asked me if I got a picture of Matt’s face when he first saw her in her wedding dress.

Kristie was radiant as her father walked her down the aisle.

I met with Kristie’s mom the day before to wedding to plan some shoots for after the ceremony. We drove around Beulah looking at locations. Some of those shots never came to pass due to time constraints. But I could tell that Kristie and her mother have a special bond.

Kristie had been planning this wedding for almost a year. We shot the engagement pictures in October of 2009 (You can find those pics in an earlier post).

Kristie and Matt’s joy was evident although Matt is considerably more subdued.

The wedding party headed out to Beulah Beach for photographs after the ceremony.

One of the shots they absolutely had to have was of all the girl’s feet. I don’t ask questions I just take the pictures. lol

One of the shots I had to have was a shot of them kissing through the veil. Kristie wasn’t too clear about what I was trying for but I think the shot turned out nice.

Afterward they all loaded back into the van to start an evening of partying at the hall.

Where the couple entered in their usual fashion.

Tags: Beulah Beach, bridal party, bride, East Lansing wedding photographer, greystone mansion weddings, groom, Honor Michigan, michigan wedding photographer, mom at wedding, Northern Michigan, traverse city wedding, wedding, wedding dress, wedding party photos, wedding plans, Weddings

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Fabulous beach photo shoot in Traverse City Michigan

Thursday, June 24, 2010 Posted in Fun stuff

Hot! Hot! Hot! That’s how I would describe Michigan’s summer weather. My brother and I have been working out in the hot sun building his deck and garage and as the sun beats down I find myself longing for the beaches of Traverse City. I love the atmosphere in Northern Michigan. I have found some beaches that are almost deserted. It feels like my own slice of paradise. After a hot day of working on the deck it would be wonderful to go for a swim in Lake Michigan.

The sandy beaches of Traverse City are a photographer’s dream!

When I recently got the opportunity to visit Traverse City I jumped at the offer. Meg Howard was interested in getting some swimwear shots so my friend Joe and I packed up our gear and headed north. We arrived at the beach on old Mission Peninsula at around 1:30 p.m. for the 2:30 shoot. I was a little nervous of the weather. Meg had called while we were driving up and asked if we were still planning to shoot. The lower half of the State was sunny but Traverse City had an early morning storm. When we arrived at the beach the wind was chilly and threatening. I thought our equipment would end up getting blown into the lake. But then, while we were setting up, the sun came out and the wind died down. It was as if the Grand Traverse Bay was welcoming us for the shoot. The rest of the day was beautiful. The hot Michigan sun finally made its appearance.

Meg arrived a little late but that was okay. We set up our equipment on the beach and suddenly a family showed up with their kids. They took over our little plot of paradise. Joe and I, along with my good friend Terry Clark, decided to move everything down the beach where we could be more private. We didn’t want Meg to become a public spectacle or the shoot to be interrupted by children. There were only a few people on that beach so we found a place where we could stake out a spot of our own.

We packed all the gear and started walking down the beach. We went back and forth until we finally had everything. Meg showed up just as we finished the move. Perfect timing.

Meg is incredibly beautiful as you will see from the photographs. I feel privileged that she chose me as her favorite photographer. We are both hoping that she will be “discovered” and move on in the world of modeling. I think she has a chance.

You can see more of the shoot on my Flickr account

Tags: beach, beauty, bikini, girl in a bikini, grand traverse, hot, Meg Howard, model, modeling, Old Mission penninsula, photo shoot, photos, Traverse City, woman

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In the Garden of Eden photo shoot.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 Posted in Fun stuff

Welcome to the wonderful world of off-the-cuff creativity. Joe (actionjoephotography) and I met Samantha Harris and Kyle Gask-Wilson for a photo shoot at McCormick park in Williamston, Mi.

I barely remembered this park from my childhood. When I was 12-years-old or thereabouts my friends and I rode our bikes from Lansing’s South-side to Williamston to attend the jubilee festival. My family has some history in Williamson. Both of my grandparents on my mother’s side are buried there and my Great Grandfather owned a candy store in Williamston. I haven’t been there in a long time so my memory of McCormick park was vague.

Joe suggested the park as an excellent place to shoot. Once I got there I was taken aback by the vast expanse of open field. “What do we do in this space?,” I wondered as Joe and I walked the park in search of shooting ideas. We noticed a gentle river that flowed around the park with some very nice scenery on the opposite banks. We also crossed the road and looked at the decorative bridge that crossed Putnam Street. “Hmm…This could be interesting,” I thought “but it’s going to be difficult to find enough scenery to keep a shoot going for more than a half hour.” The last shoot I did with Samantha and Kyle was on the top of a parking garage in Lansing in freezing cold weather. That shoot was over pretty quick because of the cold. This was much different and a welcome change.

As I was walking on the bridge to get a feel for the place Joe motioned me over to the edge where he saw a blue racer coiled up on the rocks below. “This is the place,” I thought because Samantha was bringing Sir Hiss, her albino corn snake to the shoot. I figured the blue racer sighting was a sign from above that we were in the right place. I often leave my shooting up to the man (or woman) above and let whatever power there is in the universe flow through and make the shot. I don’t try to force it because I like the shooting to happen naturally. I often find that this leads to a more organic result.

Anyway. Enough talking. Let’s get to the pics. To me, this shoot seems like another movie idea. It’s like one man goes searching for the Garden of Eden where he meets and falls in love with Eve.

Here is Eve played by Samantha Harris and the explorer played by Kyle Gask-Wilson. (The snake is played by

Sir Hiss)

BTW. We spent hours on this shoot and had a blast!