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Poppy field at sunset

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West Coast of Michigan. The Fresh Coast.

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Just SW of Denver

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Saugatuck, Michigan

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Holland, Michigan

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Lake Michigan at the Holland pier.

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Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

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Part 1 of 3. Directed and filmed in Ajo, Arizona for the upcoming exhibition, El Sueño Americano at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. El Sueño Americano features photographs by Tom Kiefer.

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This is 20 minutes north of the US/Mexico border, an area that is both beautiful and lethal. In mid-April, it was 101 degrees while I made the trip down to the border’s wall to document an artist, Tom Keifer, and his work. A trip to the desert has been on my to-do list for over a decade and this opportunity landed in my lap.

The landscape, people and overall vibe was what I was interested in learning, and it didn’t disappoint. Miles and miles of glorious desolation, complete quiet and possible danger was around every corner. I applaud the people of this region for calling it home and living alongside the circling vultures on a daily basis. Most of the time the sound of the breeze was the singular source of any noise.

Small roadside towns occasionally dotted the route to the border, made up of one or two general stores and maybe a gas station. Tiny neighborhoods of one-room homes are tucked into the landscape down long dirt roads. A roadside sign advertising “Rosalia’s Rocks” drew attention to passersby looking for a souvenir for their kids. A sign, “Ring bell for service”, notified the tiny and weathered Senora I was there, hoping to explore her shack filled with treasures. Bingo. What was she doing in her little house, in the middle of nowhere, prior to my visit? Staying cool no doubt. But what else kept her busy?

However, the overall theme of this visit was to document and call attention to the dangerous trip that many migrants make on their way to America. Tom Keifer has been collecting items confiscated by Border Patrol authorities for the past decade. He photographs them for exhibitions around the country. The migrant’s hopeful one-way trip must be absolutely terrifying. They deal with the extreme heat, cacti, snakes and of course the tough Border Patrol. These guys are on the hunt and they are no joke. With hundreds of miles of desert to traverse before even the slightest glimpse of safety, migrants take the biggest chance of their lives, often with their family in tow. 

Breaking our law, yes indeed, but the bravery required to attempt such a trip is overwhelming. 

This trip was not one of fun. It involved visiting schools and meeting with superintendents, hanging at and watching the action at border crossings, walking the wall and peeking on the other side, and trying to stay positive. Hopefully one day we can start to work together to better the lives of the people who share our borders.

Once Tom’s exhibition, El Sueno Americano, opens later this year in Saugatuck, Michigan, the remaining portion of the story will be told. Exhibit will be at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts.

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The backyard on this Super Bowl Sunday

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Photos for Landsharks in Saugatuck, MI. Celebrating the snowy season and the warmth of Canada Goose. Model: Abby Renkema

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Little Ladies

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Lake Michigan near Saugatuck, shot with a Fuji X-T1

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Kambrea. Downtown Grand Rapids Fuji XT-1

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 Test shots and scouting Kambréa

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Another shoot with the talented Missy Walters of Studio M Interiors in Grand Rapids