Lake Superior
The beauty of the Big Lake in my eyes
Star of the Lake
Stoney Point
Duluth, Minnesota
During the gale season, I wanted to visit a playground of mine at Stoney Point. This pocket of rocks were being pummeled by the sheer power of the lake. I got into position finding the right composition to capture this beauty of the force of Superior and to my surprise, with a longer exposure the waves created this star in between the rocks. I was so stunned by the hidden beauty that developed through my lens that I visually didn’t see at first.
As powerful as the waves could be during the gale season, there’s still beauty to be seen within it.
Child’s Play
Two Harbors Lighthouse and Break wall
Two Harbors, Minnesota
There's moments where I let my mind wander with imagination while taking a stroll in nature.
This is one of those moments...
On this evening, while taking a stroll, I noticed these trees and had a sense of nostalgia come over me.
The smaller trees resemble children outside playing until the street lights come on.
After capturing this image, I sat here to just take this moment in and fully appreciate it.
As time goes by, I understand that life can hit us all with our daily lives(work, school, etc), and sometimes we can get too caught up with those things and forget to appreciate the little things that is in our faces everyday.
This was one of those images that I could look back on wholeheartedly, and remember the moment and appreciate it.
Pictured Spirits
Miners Castle (Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)
Munising, Michigan
On a road trip through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan I was finally about to stop along Pictured Rocks to see this shoreline with my own two eyes. I’ve heard so much about the area and was recommended to visit here by many locals.
Along walking down the trail, I met a gentleman who was curious about what I was trying to capture. I had explained to the gentleman that I “wanted to capture something unique” and I showed him this image. he completely understood the mission that I was trying to accomplish.
The shoreline colors of Lake Superior is just surreal here. Those vibrant greens that gradually fades into blue is just stunning.
The tree in the foreground immediately caught my attention under the lighting conditions. The posture created this vision of a spirit who remain in awe of the beauty of the shoreline of the big lake.
I struggled a bit to find the right composition at first maybe because of excitement of being here or something but I had to take a deep breath and just take this moment in.
Nature’s Window
Duluth, Minnesota
On a morning where I felt creative even in a well known area, I was looking for something that was unique. As the sun was rising, I felt like I couldn’t find what I was looking for and almost decided to pack up and head home. Right when I was getting ready to load up my car, I had this feeling to stop and look at this set of small trees behind me.
I went to compose this image to see if I could center it with the rising sun and voila!, I found exactly what I was looking for. There was definitely a lesson that I was taught here on that morning. Sometimes the smallest things can create great beginnings. I composed my camera to get this image in perfect framing and it felt like a window that nature had created.
The 61 Rush
Highway 61 (Lake Superior Coastline)
On one of my many spirited drives up the Minnesota North Shore, I wanted to make a run to Sven & Oles Pizza for supper. Along the way, I was drawn to this series of birch trees and safely pulled over to take in the view.
The trees reminded me of people who were so busy with the 9 to 5 grind not fully aware of the sights around them. In ways, we as humans tend to grind all day and night not fully aware of our surroundings and forgetting to stop and take in the sights.
this left me in a moment of appreciation with life. I often stop to cherish the little things more and more on the daily.
Ashland Dreaming
Bayview Park
Ashland, Wisconsin
The mosquitos were out and about on this summer evening feeding on all the tasty humans that were around. The pier was closed off but I still had a vantage point from the shoreline. Over the years, I’ve appreciated the South Shore of Lake Superior has its own charm to it and this being one of the unique charms.
The summer sunset was creating the warm colors in the sky and the water levels were high enough to cover the over abundance of the wood piles in the distance.
This scene left me in a nostalgic feeling of growing up thinking about the family trips down to the Jersey Shore.
Blush
Ontario, Canada
This wasn't just an image to me. This became an obsession.... A bucket list..... I spent a lot of time hunting this beauty down to the point where I found it. Day in and day out, I've thought about this island nonstop. This recent trip photography wise revolved around this island. It truly had such a calm soul vibe to it that I wasn't going home empty-handed, and I desperately wanted to experience this with my own two eyes and leave here with my own take of it.
I asked a local how to access it and kindly guided me in the right direction on how to get to it. I was nervous, anxious, and excited about this opportunity to see this in person, so I decided to hike the shoreline to get access to it. I got a few images of this, but I personally didn't like them. I felt a bit discouraged, and we went back to review them on my laptop. Magically, my memory card was wiped clean, and I just felt utterly defeated. Losing what I had already captured even the day prior, I felt as if someone was out to get me.
Feeling hopeless and given it was already nightfall, I was strongly encouraged to give this another go before my trip was over. I already didn't like what I had captured of this prior to the memory card issue, I got back up the next morning only to realize that the morning light didn't fully emerge yet. I was strongly encouraged to go for it and I had this perspective in mind since it's unique from the norm, and I went for it. The pink and purple hues were just emerging, and it felt 100% right to follow my instincts on this capture.
Enjoying the moment, especially in photography, is something I strongly believe in, and this was truly a moment. This was a major bucket list that I had to experience. There's truly unique beauty all along Lake Superior. I'm honestly beyond grateful that things played out the way they did. I may have lost some files but gained a very unique take on this little island. A part of me is still here reliving this moment.
Calm Days
Thunder Bay, Ontario
I wanted something a bit from the normal in Thunder Bay to showcase something that was a bit different.
Upon taking an afternoon cruise around Thunder Bay, I came across this unique location with the vast view of Pie Island. This mesa is something the marvel at. The foreground had these scattered rocks which were positioned as if they were taking in the view and just embracing the natural view of Pie Island.
I sat here for quite sometime just taking in the sights along Lake Superior. I'm impressed everyday with the diversity of the shoreline of this Great Lake and it's just such an amazing thing to experience.
Engulfed
Lutsen, Minnesota
After stopping for some breakfast at the local Cascade Restaurant, I wanted to burn off some of the pancakes I had before arriving here.
I was curious about this area along the lake for sometime and I wasn't sure what I would find here. I saw this pile of rocks along the shoreline and saw that some of the rocks nearby were very slick so I had to use caution while arriving to this section. The skies weren't cooperating with me at first, but with some patience, I managed to wait it out for a bit for a bit of sunlight to emerge.
The shoreline looking southbound was just cool looking. It reminded me of a painting in many ways. The moody skies along with a hint of foliage popping out and this collection of rocks really set the tone for me.
Permanent Residence
Crisp Point Lighthouse
Newberry, Michigan
When I arrived here at Crisp Point Lighthouse, I was full of excitement about it. It felt like I was in another world. The calmness of the lake and this peaceful tranquility of being here on a beautiful autumn morning.
I had found out about this place a few weeks prior to visiting. I made sure that it was a must visit on my road trip. One thing that stuck out to me was the rows of wood pilings. I had to go pretty deep into the lake to capture this perspective and I knew that I would be knee deep in it but I was prepared for this.
The wood piles reside here along the South Shore with a majestic lighthouse that they adore and remained here enjoying the sights with no complaints.
Soul
Old Woman Bay (Lake Superior Provincial Park)
This was a much needed return that I had on my mind for months after witnessing this in the winter time in 2024. I've seen countless images of this soul place in other seasons and I personally wanted to have my own experience.
I wanted to capture this from a very unique perspective to showcase the true aura of this thing of natural beauty. This composition I haven't seen before but it felt right to capture this from Old Woman River. Honestly, I was concerned more about bears or even Moose coming out of the tree line when I made the trek to capture this as well as the vehicles along the Trans Canada Highway was a major concern for me as well.
I knew that I had a few minutes to capture this image with the golden light radiating on the old woman. It was a risk I had to take but the results definitely paid off.
This place....... It truly has soul. If you’ve ever been here, I'm sure that you will feel it too.
Remnants
Little Girls Point County Park
Ironwood, Michigan
On a mild February, I took an early morning drive to make a few stops along the south shore of the lake and Little Girls Point was at the end of my day trip.
I had did some brief research of how to get here and an overall location of this park. It's definitely quite a scene to take in. As I was walking along the shoreline I was aware of this hut like structure and when I did my research prior to arriving here, I was in shock of how much has gave way into superiors cold grasp of it.
I wasn't bummed out in anyway, I just improvised and made this scenery work for me. This hut has many stories that it can tell but like a lot of things that that lake has a grasp on, its slowly being swallowed up by it little by little.
As far as I know, it's still visited by many like myself who travel local and from afar to see this hut. I knew I wanted this to be my subject to capture.
Honestly, if I were a local here and grew up in this area, I know how silly I was when I was a child and that I'd definitely try to climb this hut and jump into the lake.
My only thought now is "how long will this remain until the lake completely claims this structure?"
Sunrise at the Main Light
Marina Park
Thunder Bay, Ontario
This sunrise was a bit of an adventure to make in time for. I car camped on the North Shore to get an advantage for myself to make it in time for this capture.
As I was driving up Highway 61 to the border, I knew I was getting close to my destination here. Once I made it to Thunder Bay, the morning light was slowly creeping in and I was getting a bit nervous thinking that I would miss this opportunity if I wasn't in time.
Once I made it to Marina Park, a friendly reminder of the cold weather hit me like a ton of bricks but I carried on to the goal of this moment.
Shipping season had come to an end, and Lake Superior was dead silent aside from a few crackles of the ice breaking and echoing the surrounding area which was amazing how far that echo traveled.
The goal of this capture was to highlight the Main Lighthouse in Thunder Bay while avoiding the Sleeping Giant in the background. That giant can be such a hog for the camera and rightfully so.
Once the sunlight had emerged, it left a yellowish orange color in the sky radiating all that was exposed and the lighthouse dead center of this vibrant warm feeling.
I'd say that this sunrise adventure definitely paid off.
Into The Wind
Wisconsin Point
Superior, Wisconsin
I was inspired to chase a sunset colors with a vision in mind but it didn't work in my favor. The winds were very heavy along the South Shore and I didn't want to leave empty handed.
Feeling slightly defeated, I decided to check out another section of this shoreline since the light was fading fast.
I got out of my car to observe the scenery and I had an idea in mind. Since the winds were heavy, I decided to let it work in my favor.
The grass was just being blown all around and it gave me an idea to capture this using a longer exposure to soften up the grass a bit creating a painting like vibe to this along with the colorful skies to compliment this scenery overall.
The shoreline was still banked with large amounts of snow and ice signaling that the transition of seasons is currently taking effect and the longer daylight days will help shake off this winter funk.
I really didn't expect this outcome but I'm glad that I pivoted to this spot to end the day on a good note.
Northern Break
Terrace Bay Beach
Terrace Bay, Ontario
After spending a weekend in Ontario Canada, I was backtracking some places I wanted to stop at while heading back to the States. Terrace Bay Beach was on my list of places to stop by and enjoy the moment. The weather was extremely windy on this day but it didn't stop me to take a stroll and take in this vast beauty of the North Shore of the lake.
The sights and scenery were just amazing and I didn't expect such a gem of a location. I saw this bench from afar and I knew that I wanted this as a subject with the landscape in the background.
The uniqueness of this beach just sitting here and taking in the views hits differently along the North Shore. I honestly miss the Canadian side of the big lake the most. I plan to spend more time on this side and I plan to return here in the near future.
Through the Storm
Mackenzie Point Conservation Area
Shuniah, Ontario
Mackenzie Point holds a special place in my heart. I stopped here when I made my first ever trip into Canada in 2023. The area is such a gem of a location for me that I always have to stop here when I'm around.
The one thing that always stood out to me here are the intertwined trees that you see here. They are forever locked into place dancing through all the challenges that life has thrown at them over the years. To see this tree couple embracing life in an unlimited dance hits a bit different.
On this day, I was heading back to the States but I felt kinda jaded about leaving since I had a great time here that weekend. I ended my trip here to capture the beauty of this scenery highlighting the tree and felt it was fitting for the mood in the air. The giant looming in the distance but no giant could break this couple apart. They've been here for many moons and the dance through it all. A romantic and poetic vibe lingers around this tree.
Into the Beyond
Presque Isle Park
Marquette, Michigan
I had this area saved on google maps since it's a very iconic and popular spot for the locals. I wanted to check this out and see it with my own two eyes. The morning light emitted a beautiful haze coming off of the lake with the harsh sunlight creating this alluring doorway to the beyond in the lake.
This path was very easy to get to and the light really set the tone of this weekend trip since this was my official first stop of this adventure. I was very impressed with the formation of rock settlement along the south shore of Lake Superior since it's mostly known for the sandy beaches outside of Pictured Rocks.
Moonlight
Scenic Route 61
Duluth, Minnesota
I was craving an urge to capture a very moody vibe at the lake, I had an idea to get down to this rock along the scenic route that I’ve taken many images of before but on this day, I felt a pull here.
Once I arrived here, I knew that the lake was in a bit of a rage and ready to greet me in her own way. As I observed many compositions of this rock along with the waves washing up on the shoreline, I knew that a long exposure was key to this image. The light was peeing through the moody clouds and some light was beginning to highlight a bit of the shoreline. I knew that was an opportunity for me to capture this image and keeping faith that may camera picked up on the subtle light on this rock and shoreline.
At one point, I felt as if I wasn't alone here. I tend to pick up on those vibes when I'm out sometimes. Lucky for me, the presence that I felt didn't feel threatening.
Once I got home to review the images from this scene, I knew that this one was a keeper.
Colourful Cove
Pebble Beach
Marathon, Ontario
This was a treat I had waited to experience for over a year. When I first saw this was in the winter of 2024. The trail was still covered with a huge amount of snow at the time so I couldn't get to fully experienced it then. This time, at the early stages of the summer season I wanted to make a stop here to have that experience.
These "pebbles" are more like dinosaur eggs in size. the colourful cobblestones truly are a gem to see in person. These rocks are very smooth in surface but can be tricky to navigate the shoreline. This beach was an abundance of driftwood which gives it such a unique charm to it.
With the cooler haze lingering in the air here, I wanted to capture the key elements that stood out to me here which were the cobblestone, and the driftwood. I can still hear the cobblestone rocks under my feet as I was navigating the shoreline here. The late afternoon vibes were so relaxing here. If I were a local living here, I personally would spend a lot of my time here daily.
There's also a sign at the entrance of this beach saying "Do NOT take any of these beautiful rocks.”
If you ever visit here, please be respectful and do not take any of these majestic beauties.
Protective Soul
Thunder Bay, Ontario
On my recent trip to Thunder Bay, I wanted to revisit some areas along the lake to capture the Sleeping Giant. The skies were just as moody as can be, and this location was perfect for what I was looking for.
After some tricky balancing myself and my camera, I knew this was the moment I was hoping to find. The skies lit up right behind the Giant, giving it center stage for this composition. A soul in a deep slumber that truly protects this wonderful city.
The true beauty of Thunder Bay that i’ve seen is that the giant could be seen from all perspectives which is super cool to witness.
Boswell Blue
Ontario, Canada
After returning to our campground, I went to review my images on my memory card and then randomly, all my files were wiped. I was just in shock and in pure defeat.
It was starting to emerge into blue hour and I knew that I needed to restart capturing images in places that I had recently taken. I made my run back to this tombolo and this blue vibe was overtaking the scenery.
The stillness of the scenery during blue hour was just amazing. I was beginning to feel like the heavens were wiping my files for me to get out and recapture this scene in much proper lighting.
I had managed to have a golden light version I worked on prior to the memory card wipe and had that already saved. This blue hour version however……..Priceless!
Untamed
Alona Bay
Batchawana Bay, Ontario
Feeling overwhelmed by the raw beauty along the drive to Sault St Marie, we stopped at Alona Bay. I just needed to get out of my car and to just regain my composure of the endless scenery.
Upon stopping here, I knew I needed to capture this scene. There’s many areas where pulling over was quite impossible but to see this in person was just breathtaking.
There’s truly a raw feeling that demands your attention along the east shores of Lake Superior.
Family Gathering
Duluth, Minnesota
I was spending time outside and decided to head home and call it a day then I saw the colors of the evening sky and was amazed by its beauty. Along my drive, I saw the set of trees that caught my attention and my creative mind was already flowing from a productive day.
As I saw this, I pictured a family of trees basking in the evening sky as I was but more unaware of my presence. I couldn’t resist the urge to capture this scene. It really told a compelling story of how nature can live in a way that we don’t see it. The golden light completely took over the sky creating this golden vibe that couldn’t be missed.