Zoe’s Senior Portraits with Her Cat Hazel | Ann Arbor Graduation Photography

When Zoe reached out for senior photos, I was instantly excited — not just because I love graduation portraits, but because she also asked if we could include her cat, Hazel. Obviously, that was an immediate yes!

We started the session outside the School of Social Work, then made our way to the classic Law Quad and finished near her apartment. By the end, we were chasing the last bit of daylight, but the streetlights near her place ended up creating this beautiful, film-y, nostalgic glow that I absolutely love.

Thank you, Zoe (and Hazel!), for letting me capture this milestone and the start of a new chapter. More pet graduation portraits, please!

Celebrating Community and Creativity at JJ’s Homecoming Open Mic in Detroit

I recently had the privilege of photographing JJ’s Homecoming event and Open Mic in Detroit, a night that beautifully showcased the city’s thriving poetry and arts community.

I’ve known JJ since our days at Central Michigan University, and I’ve always admired his ability to bring people together through art and storytelling. Originally from Detroit and now based in Baltimore as a teacher, JJ is an accomplished poet who continues to build creative communities wherever he goes. His recent book, Lessons I Never Taught (Marble Steps Publishing), has taken him on a tour, and this Detroit stop was a special homecoming.

The event was held at Artist Village in Detroit, a vibrant space that set the stage for an unforgettable evening. Poets from across the community shared their work with passion and power, filling the room with energy and connection. In addition to capturing portraits and moments from the night, I was able to bring out my video-making skills to document the performances in motion.

As a Detroit event and portrait photographer, it’s always an honor to use my craft to highlight artists and their impact. In a time when arts funding is being cut at historic levels, it feels especially important to share the power of gatherings like these. Art has always endured—and nights like JJ’s Homecoming and Open Mic remind us just how vital creativity and community are to the soul of a city.

Thank you, JJ, for inviting me to capture such a meaningful evening.

Video by me!

Music: Song: sumu - apart [NCS Release]
Music provided by: NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/apart
Watch: http://ncs.lnk.to/apartAT/youtube