Abandoned Detroit 2010 Series
The Paradise Follies
Damned Exhibition XII
Teaser: ‘Role Play’ One
6th Annual Michigan Burlesque Festival
EVENT: Boundless in Hamtramck
CONCERT: Beck at Fox Theater
EVENT: Detroit School of Burlesque Showcase
VIDEO: The Last Show at The Park Bar Detroit
Detroit School of Burlesque Grand Opening 2017
Emma – Class of 2018
The Family Circus
In An Electronic State-of-Mind
In An Electronic State-of-Mind
Memorial Day Weekend always equates to a weekend of global electronic music centered in Hart Plaza, Detroit, whether it’s called the DEMF Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival, FUSE-In, or Movement Electronic Music Festival, one thing always remained constant: it is a phenominal weekend filled with music, people of all types, and is a photographers mecca! It was truly an experience being able to photograph and capture artists like Richie Hawtin, Plastikman, Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May, Carl Craig, Carl Cox, Moby, Deadmau5, Glitch Mob and so many more in their environment!
Since I am not going this year, sadly, and I am feeling quite nostalgic, I am going to post a series of my favorite images from each of the years I took my camera down there, whether for personal use, shooting for MOTORCITYBLOG, or Red Bull Music.
If you are a musician, DJ, or a performance artist of any sort and are looking to have your performances captured for personal, marketing or business use, please do not hesitate in contacting me.
To see the complete sets of images from each year, click one of the following:
All images © Brett J Lawrence. No reproduction permitted.
Satori Circus Print Sale
Everyone loves a clown. And I know you want this handsome fella hanging on your wall.
Rather than sitting in storage, I am offering these 1st run 16×20″ framed prints of my Satori Circus Theater Series for only $60.00 each (originally $125.00), shipping included. If necessary, I will even hand deliver them to you! Spread the word! Of the original 15 images, only 1 print of each was made and only 14 are left.
To read my post about the origination of this Series, click this LINK.
Contact me now and let’s make this happen
The All-American Opera Singer
Lindsay Terrell, All-American Opera Singer & Girl Next Door
I was hired to update Lindsay’s headshots last week as the audition season is coming up. Based on a previous photo shoot I had completed with her cousins, Lindsay felt she could trust me. What an honor. The time we spent in the park was relaxed, filled with laughter, and her beautiful smile. (And occasionally that seductive little smirk would show up.)
Based on the results, I think we nailed it. Good luck this season, Lindsay, and thank you for trusting me with your image.
If you are looking for your own headshots or portraits, please Contact Me.
Last Season at The Corner
Last Season at The Corner
Photo Essay, Summer 1999
With all the changes taking place at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull these days with Detroit PAL taking over the site and building a new turf-based youth baseball facility, I wanted to post the series of photographs I took of the last season in 1999 before the Tigers moved to Comerica Park. While my Family would sit and watch the games, I would wander around with my old Yashica Mat 124 or my Nikon 35mm through the old aisleways and try to capture what I thought truly represented that beautiful old structure. The shadows, the architecture, the people…whatever caught my eye. It was tough, though, knowing that eventually this place would no longer exist. I wanted to capture every square inch of the place, but that was just unrealistic, so I just used my gut. I think I did the old place justice.
I will always have a place in my heart for The Corner.
A special thank you and dedication of this post to the Navin Field Grounds Crew for their tireless dedication to maintaining this site over the past 6 years. From an abandoned and overgrown field to a beautiful green grass manicured ball field, available to all to continue playing ball on this historic site, I hold you all with the highest respect. My Boys and I both thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Contact me if you would like to purchase any of my images from the set.
Concert: Sponge wsg Solid Frog
In the mood for some Detroit rock and roll, one of my favorite bands ever, Sponge, played an intimate gig at The Ritz Detroit Saturday night. Always a great show, albeit kinda short one that night, Vinnie and the boys never disappoint. And, to make the night even better, I finally got to see Solid Frog live! The Ritz, even in its new location still retains its classic gritty Detroit rock venue status, and is always a great place to shoot local acts even if the LED lighting makes the acts look alien, forcing me to shoot black and white.
EVENT: The Monster’s Ball 2015
I was asked by Regina Stocco of The Social Connection to capture the night’s festivities at the Fillmore Detroit, located at 2115 Woodward Avenue, on October 30th for Detroit’s most exclusive Halloween party, The Monster’s Ball! This event featured Metro Detroit’s finest DJs, live performers, and stage entertainers. When Regina stated in her email to me “…no one catches the soul of (an) event the way you do…”, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. Plus, Halloween is my all-time favorite time of the year. So it was a win-win all around!
Thank you Regina for your trust in me. My door is always open to you.
If you are looking for someone to photograph your Concert or Event, please contact me today to set up a consultation. -B
FOOD & DRINK: Sherwood Brewing
Ever want to find that perfect place to grab a drink and unwind after another day of pushing buttons and making other people more money than you? Well, make you way over to Sherwood Brewing Company in Shelby Township, Michigan. They serve only the finest hand-crafted beer, wine, and sodas, all made on-site in their brewing facility, clearly visible through the looking glass. (Yes, growlers a-plenty to take home too!)
If you think the ego is thick over there, and that you need to know what the hell you’re talking about when it comes to trying new beers or wines, trust me when I say that the friendly staff is more than welcoming and willing to answer any and all questions you might have. If you’re able to catch either of the owners, Ray or Lisa Sherwood, or Corey, the Brewer and Manager, they will always give you their time and make you feel at home. It literally feels like you are at a Friends house just having some drinks and laughs.
Not to be considered just a brewery, Lisa and Corey hold nothing back when it comes to their rock-solid menu. It’s not pompous or pretentious, but rather more along the lines of artistic comfort food. There is something for everyone. My god, they even make their own homemade gelato with their beer and wine…and it’s xxxx-ing fantastic!
PROJECT: Lisa, Corey and I collaborated on a photoshoot to try and cover a portion of some NEW menu items as well as some NEW brewery images for future marketing needs. Click on the Gallery above to see a selection from the photoshoot. If they inspire you to check out Sherwood Brewing Company in person, then I will consider my efforts, and Sherwood’s, a success. And tell them I sent you.
Please contact me if you are looking for new imagery of your menu items, interiors, or just ambiance. I would love to work with you to share your passions.
-BJL
Check out my DAMNED images!
This is by far my favorite time of the year in Michigan because the weather starts getting colder, the nights get longer, Hallow’s Eve is just around the corner and the Damned Exhibition at the Tangent Gallery/Hastings Ballroom in Detroit opens its doors! If you ever get an opportunity to attend this 3 day event, do it. It’s a cerebral and visual overload run by some very passionate Artists and Performers.
Having attended since the original Damned Exhibition 8 years ago, each year progressively grows in quality. From a photographers viewpoint, as you will see from my Gallery below, it is a beautiful evening of dark and enlightened performance art. I actually get excited when the middle of October rolls around knowing what’s ahead.
Click on the Gallery below and leave your feedback on the imagery.
If you are in need of a photographer to capture the true essence of your event, please do not hesitate to contact me.
-BJL
DAMNED VIII | The Darkness
If you ever get a chance to attend one of the annual 3 nights of any Damned Show, do it.
You won’t regret it. It is, by far, my favorite event of the year.
More images to come…
B
Satori Circus: Coming to a T-shirt near you…
Coming soon to a black t-shirt near you: Satori Circus Triptych Heads!
Based on the interest level, I plan on releasing a limited run of these halftone Satori Circus head T-shirts based on my original photograph from 2010. You too can own one, or two, or all three of the images.
Whaddya think? Anyone wanna walk around town with a clown on their chest?
Leave your comments below so I can decide.
-BJL
So this is happening today…
Join Klemm Gallery in welcoming Kelly Burke (’07) and Brett J. Lawrence (’95), our featured artists in the 2015 Alumni Exhibition from 6-8pm.
Burke’s abstract paintings “…focus on process and physicality of paint. The repetitious layering of, taking away, and re-application of color underneath automatic scrawling, scratching and mark-making express [her] inner psyche…”
Lawrence’s photographs document a collaborative project with performance artist Satori Circus, in which the two explore “…things that [they] each hold dear…photography, performance art and the history of an oftentimes struggling city with its beautiful historic theaters.”
This Friday, Studio Angelico will play host to the Homecoming Weekend Welcome Reception, and Klemm Gallery will be open to the public. Satori Circus, the subject of Lawrence’s photos, will perform in the gallery throughout the reception, and the artists will give a brief gallery talk at 7pm.
Tyler Kivela | Senior
September 2015
Tyler Kivela, Belle Isle and Eastern Market, Detroit MI
Thank you Kathy Kivela for allowing me to capture this moment in Tyler’s life.
It was an honor.
-BJL
It’s not how your day starts…
…but rather how it ends.
Today did not start out very well, considering I woke with a fever and chills, which I directly attribute to a weekend filled with nasty weather and just being somewhat run down. But after sleeping in until Noon, bombarding my system with meds and tons of H2O, I can confirm I have not let the fever win.
After finding out from my son that he had dropped his laptop and was experiencing some issues with it, I went to Best Buy this evening to do some research on what their Geek Squad charges for an evaluation and what a new Toshiba Chromebook would run if I needed to go down that path for him.
On my way out, I ALWAYS walk trough the camera department to window shop and ran across an INSIGNIA™ Macro Ring Flash on sale for $39.99 (regularly $70+). Always wanting a dedicated ring flash unit for portraiture, but not wanting to spend a lot of money, I jumped at the chance, knowing I could always return it within 15 days. Well, so far so good. I am definitely happy with the results of my model, shown below. I just thought that there would be more of a “ringlight halo effect” in the eyes… ; )
I’d say with this find, my day has ended just fine.
‘Satori Circus Theater Series’
Introducing the unveiling of my ‘Satori Circus Theater Series’ Photography Project which I have been working on for the past 4 years. This will be the first time all 15 images will be displayed together in their entirety. (3 of the 15 are below) These images will be on display at the Klemm Gallery at Siena Heights University in Adrian, MI, during the ‘2015 Alumni Exhibition’ from October 1 – 29, 2015. The Artists’ Reception takes place on October 16th, 2015 from 6-8pm in the Gallery.
Entrance to Klemm Gallery is FREE; food and drink reception is a ticketed event on the second floor. Please contact the Alumni Office to purchase your ticket ($12): +1 517 264 7143 or email at alumni@sienaheights.edu. AGAIN, YOU CAN COME SEE THE ART FOR FREE, BUT THE FANCY HORS D’OEUVRES AND DRINKS ARE TICKETED AND LOCATED ON THE SECOND LEVEL OF THE STUDIO.
All images are 8×12″ in size, floated on a 16×20″ Fuji Deep Matte archival print, framed, signed and dated. Each print is priced at $125.00, and may be purchased prior to the Exhibition. The complete set of 15 framed prints may be purchased in its entirety. All pre-purchased prints will be displayed as “From the private collection of “your name” during the Exhibition. Each print may also be purchased unframed, as well.(Please contact me privately for price.)
Statement about the Series:
We are lucky to walk through this life and find people who truly enrich our experiences. We are lucky if we know someone who can provide us with a different way to see and interpret things in life. But we are truly lucky to find someone who just gets you, understands your vision and is willing to collaborate with you at the drop of a hat to make your art a reality. For me, that individual, and most importantly Friend, is Satori Circus.
With his own award-winning history in the performing arts spanning 20+ years in and around the Detroit area, Satori Circus’ view on Life and Art is soul-drenching goodness. Family is first. Friends are a close second (but move up to first when Family is busy). Work is…well, not work. It appears effortless. It’s his Passion. You will never know a harder working Entertainer. Ever. This is the Artist that covers the entire spectrum of emotion in his performances and makes you question everything you ever thought was a legitimate thought in your head.
Why this photographic series? Simply put, it is because Satori Circus has a way of making you feel invincible; like your voice matters. And what started as a conversation over a few drinks escalated to a full-blown, logistically-impossible adventure that allowed us to celebrate things that we each hold dear to us: photography, performance art and the history of an oftentimes struggling city with its beautiful historic theaters. Drawing on the influences of various characters in film and theater, it was our goal to capture each venues unique setting as best possible with Satori adding to the overall esthetic. To this, I believe we succeeded.
To all the individuals who allowed us access to these beautiful theaters, who trusted our vision, and who took the time out of their own busy schedules to accommodate us, We thank you. It meant more than you could ever realize.
Copyright Brett J Lawrence 2015
Copyright Brett J Lawrence 2015
Copyright Brett J Lawrence 2015