Event: 2016 Michigan Burlypicks
Last Season at The Corner
Thunderdome in Detroit
Logo Design: Black River Photography
A good friend of mine asked if I could come up with a new logo for his company, Black River Photography, located in Lincoln MI. The caveat was that he needed to have something within one weeks’ time, and was wondering if I could accomplish that. I met his deadline and he is very pleased with his new identity, as am I. Good luck with everything Up North, Ted! Thank you for your trust in me.
If you are in need of a new or updated logo, please contact me today.
Event: Valentine’s Variety Show
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.
Scott Weiland: A Loss Too Soon
Scott Weiland
October 27, 1967 – December 03, 2015
May your demons have finally exited stage left so that you may now experience Peace. Yours will always be one of the voices of my youth. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
And to honor him in the only way I know how, here is the one time I was fortunate enough to see STP live (wsg FAIRCHILD) at The Fillmore Theater in Detroit, MI. This was one of those must-see shows, both as a reflection of my youth, as well as from a photographers viewpoint. While it was evident he was battling demons at the beginning of the show, as the consumate entertainer and artist, he worked through it and put on a stellar show.
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
Mitchell Arsenault | Senior
September 2015
Mitchell Arsenault, Belle Isle and Eastern Market, Detroit MI
Thank you Cathy McKenzie Arsenault for trusting me with this moment in your son’s life.
You have a fine young man here.
-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’
Welcome to www.brettjlawrence.com, redux
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As they say, the mechanic always has the worst-looking car in the neighborhood. Well, I guess the same can be said for me, at least in terms of finally getting a website up and running that I can manage and manipulate on a regular basis. I always place everyone else as a higher priority, but now is the time to focus on ME. So, please be patient, have a look around, and I encourage your input on my imagery, as well as my (hopefully) daily blog posts and photography. -BJL