A study of strawberries with window light. 

Playing in the “studio”, challenging myself to work with only available light but to make “usable art”. These were taken during “magic hour” at my dinner table in front of the window. Only controlling the setting in my camera and using a piece of paper to bounce light to achieve these images. If you have time, grab any object and start playing around. 

The great and exciting thing about photography is that you are constantly learning and refining your skills. 

Helpful Tip: You don’t always need fancy lighting gear to get the shot you want. #BCPbehindthescenes

Nigerian fashions. 

I had the pleasure of shooting photos for a fashion show here in #Detroit with a great young designer. JI Fashions. Her market is creating unique but classic African clothing for ladies and men here in America. Evening gowns for special events, or when you just want to stand out at an event. She is creating items with authentic fabrics and current style of Nigeria that you just can’t easily get here in America. 

One of my frequent photo gigs is to shoot new or remodeled businesses, churches and other architecture in thef Metro Detroit area. I love architecture photography, its very relaxing and something I can happily get lost in.

These are some photos of the newly remodeled kids area at Woodside Bible Church at their Troy campus. There are some very cool murals on the walls using photos of local Detroit hot spots. Its a really fun and creative space for the kids to learn and spend time with each other.  Enjoy 

Another successful fun photo shoot with Kensington Church in Troy Michigan. This event was for the K-Rock Kids performance titled “Get Rich”, a fun live musical version of the game Monopoly with a twist… What if instead of trying to get all we want, we gave it away to those in need??? Its amazing what we can learn from kids. 

Always a lot of fun to photograph these very hard working and talented group of children doing what they love. 

Thinking of our brothers and sisters in West Pokot, Kenya. @hopewaterproject amazing to see the great work being done over there. #cleanwater

Fun surprise. Saw this in this in the mail today. One of my Detroit Free Press Marathon images used for a big fold out Info poster for @kensingtonchurch and @hopewaterproject The cool thing is that the runner is one of our good friends Kyle! #cleanwater

The last senior photoshoot of the fall season. It’s always fun to get out on a rainy day and shoot some photos with a lovely model who is up for having some fun in the rain. 

Michelle was a beautiful sport and we had a great time running around the streets of downtown Rochester, Michigan. I think the overcast and rain made for some fun & unique shots.

Michelle is the last of 3 sisters who I have had the privilege of shooting senior photos for over the years. They are a great family and a lot of fun to hang out with!  Enjoy. 

Kenya Wild Game Park Reserve

On my trip to Kenya to capture images at the orphanages we got to spend one day at the end of the grueling trip at a game park reserve. Here we got to go out in safari trucks and see all the wildlife in its natural environment. 

Being 10 feet away from a massive rhino is a pretty cool experience. The setting was amazing and the animals were impressive. It was hard to think that you weren’t at a zoo. 

I hope you enjoy these few images from my experience. You can see more here on my Facebook page. 

I haven’t shared much of my personal journal from my Kenya trip but I just opened it up today and thought I might share some. You never know who it might impact. These are just a few thoughts that made me look at my life a bit differently. We are now 16 hours into the bush. If these kids with truly horrible stories can find the good in their life why shouldn’t we? They all have so much hope. Give Thanks for everything you have.

Run a Marathon so someone else can have clean water! 

Had the great fortune of shooting The Detroit Free Press Marathon this past Sunday. I was shooting for Hope Water Project. A charity who’s goal is to bring clean water to the entire West Pokot area of Kenya and beyond. (You may remember I traveled there on a photo assignment earlier this year). Kensington Church had 1200+ runners raise near $1,000,000 for clean water wells in Kenya. Amazing people, amazing event! They trained for and ran a marathon so that someone else they have never met could have clean water. Very humbling. you can still donate here!  They are at $921,566. So close! https://www.socialply.com/campaigns/hope-water-project-help-us-build-wells-for-the-pokot-people

Run for Clean Water in Kenya.

There are 1400 people signed up and training to run the The Detroit Free Press Marathon to raise funds for Hope Water Project. If you think everyone in the world should have the very basic of necessities; Clean Water, then you can donate here. even $1 helps. the goal is $1,000,000 and they are well on their way to reaching that goal. Click the link to donate. share it with your friends too! http://www.hopewaterproject.org/fundraisers?&campaign_id=10&page=7

Brian Craig Photography turned 1 today! Thanks for the memories Tumblr…and many more. 

Just got back from an exciting photo shoot in New York City at The New School in Greenwich Village. Really great people to work with, super talented chefs making some awesome culinary creations. Really great food and pastries. Mint Oil and 74% Dark European Chocolate Cookies? Yes!! 

Of course we got to walk around the city and even took the chefs into Union Square Green Market. What a cool treat and an awesome farmers market. If you are in the are you must visit! 

Enjoy the photos…because we ate all the food. 

Umphrey’s Mcgee Live at Meadowbrook Music Festival 

Last night UM brought their amazing live show to Rochester, Michigan with friends Sound Tribe Sector 9 (photos coming for STS9). It was a perfect Michigan summer night in a beautiful wooded setting. 

For those who aren’t familiar with their music; imagine a rock band mixed with Al Di Meola, Frank Zappa and a touch of shred metal, then you have Umphrey’s Mcgee (sort of). All top notch musicians! 

I have followed them for well over 13 years and have experienced over 15 shows in the Michigan area. From intamate venus like The Magic Bag to the most recent Meadowbrook Music Festival which is the largest I have seen them play. I shot photos for them at The Fillmore a couple years ago as well, click here to see those. 

The shows have gotten bigger and better but never losing sight of the music. This venue was great because it gave the band a chance to breath a bit and allowed Jefferson Waful (Lighting Designer for UM) room to play with some of the greatest lighting designs I have ever seen (and I have seen A LOT!) 

Enjoy these photos, more will be posted at www.Umphreys.com

brian. 

Kauriong Orphanage, Kenya Slideshow by Brian Craig Photography

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Over the past few months I have been consumed (in a good way) with a project that will probably be the most memorable thing I ever do photographically. The short term missions trip to Kenya. West Pokot deep in the bush. Here is a slideshow featuring the images I captured and some songs from the children there. Enjoy and share

Firework photos… we’ve all seen em and after many years I just got board with taking them. The I recently read an article on a new technique some folks were doing and it sparked an interest again! 

The process is fairly simple but does take some practice. Throw your lens out of focus and while the shutter is open you roll it back into focus. These are all done in camera not photoshop. Lots of fun and a little unique. Give it a try. 

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Brian Craig Photography

Vinsetta Garage gets some 35mm film love.

Once a long running, fully functional auto shop just miles outside of the motor city, Detroit, MI. After years of sitting empty a local restaurant owner decided it would be a great place for a cool restaurant right on the old drag strip of Woodward Ave. 

If you are in the Detroit area make sure not to miss this amazing and eye catching place. Full of great unique burgers (Duck burgers with cherry compote, 3AM Egg Burgers and a Greek Lamb burger), the best onion rings I’ve had (sorry Red Coat Tavern), wood fired pizzas and the best Mac n Cheese around (this is a hot topic of debate in Detroit but I know where my allegiance stands). They also feature a crazy beer and wine list with a cool bar that looks into the “kitchen” where the cooks all wear mechanics shirts with their names on patches. The kicker, and where they rise above many other places is that darn near everything on the menu is made in house right down to the pretzel buns. “If we thought we could make ketchup better than Heinz then we would..” said the Exec Chef.

Ok, on to the photos, this isn’t a food review. These are 35mm film photographs I took years ago and just stumbled across them today. Taken with my old Minolta which was my dads that he gave to me. This gives you an idea of what the garage looked like back in the day. As you can see in the gallery on their site, not much as changed. They did swap out the old gas pumps for 2 electric car charging “pumps” which I think is pretty neat! But they really worked on keeping the same look and feel right down to drawings on the walls from former mechanics and air hoses coiled up in the ceiling. Literally everywhere you look you will see some cool piece. 

If you are a car buff check it out, if you love a great burger check it out, if you just want a cool place to look around and grab a drink then this is your place. Just one of the many awesome places Detroit has popping up. The food scene is revitalizing this city and we are reaping the benefits. also check out their other amazing restaurant The Union Woodshop in Clarkston, MI. 

thanks for looking

Brian Craig 

Last week I had the pleasure of shooting photos for The American Secrets when they opened up for Eddie Money @ DTE Music Theater.

They are the band you wish you were in. Fun, rockin, great catchy songs, amazing musicianship and they know how to have a great time on stage. 

You may know them as the “Free Credit Score.com band”. But they are much more than that. They have been described as a mix of The Beatles and Queen. Check out their music on iTunes and enjoy! 

A few shots from the concert. @mmulliniks of The American Secrets Rockin out! #briancraigphotography