Between Frames - January 2025
A cold January that made for some fun images.
Introduction:
Now that we live in Michigan, we are beginning to experience a different kind of weather than what we’ve ever previously experienced. It’s been a really nice change for both Paloma and myself. We’ve had to learn how to live differently, changing the way that we exist in and explore what’s outside of our home.
Considering days are 20º F (or -7º C) on average, we’re spending a lot more time inside. However, it’s been a fun challenge to learn the ways in which we can exist outdoors despite the cold. Getting our daily intake of Vitamin D sometimes is easy (taking a pill) and other times much harder (going on a walk to a local coffee shop).
Changing subjects… I apologize that this issue is a bit later than usual, the end of January/the beginning of February has been quite busy. Hopefully, I’ll be back on a normal rhythm soon where I can get that NYC issue finally out into the world.
One last thing, since my last issue, there have been over 30 new subscribers. Each time I get a notification of a new subscriber, it genuinely blows me away. Thank you to each of you that subscribe. If you don’t, feel free to hit the button below!
Okay, onto the fun stuff!
*Also, this newsletter might exceed the max email link. I highly encourage reading it on Substack.
The Frozen Lake:
Lake Michigan, the lake that we live near and the fifth largest lake in the world, (partially) freezes over each winter. Thankfully, we live near the part of the lake that (regularly) freezes the most. Seeing, much less photographing, the “chunky ice,” the balls of ice, or the sheets of ice has been really fun new experience.
We’ve been to a handful of coastal towns over the past month, exploring the towns and the lakeshores in each of these towns. Here are some photos, broken up by town.
Grand Haven:
Grand Haven is one of the towns that sits on both Lake Michigan and it’s own smaller lake (kinda like a bay). The mouth of the “bay” is quite narrow and attempts to freeze up during the winter. Sometimes it freezes fully and other times it makes what Paloma likes to call “chunky ice.”
The “chunky ice” reminds me of some of Ben Horne’s images, namely: Interconnected, Sun Cups, or City Lights.1 I tried to do the scene justice with the images I took of it. Here’s one… In the moment, I chose to shoot this shallow to hopefully add some nice fall-off to the ice at the back. Maybe that was the wrong call in the end; however, I’m still quite pleased with it.
That day, the dunes were covered in a fresh layer of snow, providing some beautiful contrast between the crisp white snow, the dead (?) sea grass, and the pastel colors in the sky.
Saugatuck:
Saugatuck’s where I first really saw the Lake frozen, frozen. Paloma and I took her parents out to Saugatuck to see the town, where we eventually ended up at the beach. My mother-in-law (she’s an adventurous queen) and I walked out on the frozen lake because why not ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
Quite possibly the most interesting thing here was how the wind turned some sand berms (that are normally deep underwater) into snow and ice berms. Don’t ask me the science of how this happens, I just have to admit that it’s super rad.
Here are some images from the frozen dunes and berms of Saugatuck:
Holland, MI:
Similar to Grand Haven, Holland sits on a “bay.” Unlike Grand Haven, Holland’s connecting channel between the Lake and the “bay” froze over fully this year. Before the ice thawed, I wanted to head out to see it for sunrise one morning. Thankfully, I chose a day that ended up having a sunrise (an irregularity for us in Western Michigan during this time of year).2
I spent a lot more time dialing in my compositions when I was in Holland. I wanted the images to be fully thought through rather than halfway done. I know I can create good stuff, I just need to take the time to think it all through.3
First, I spent some time photographing “Big Red,” the lighthouse in Holland…
Then, I made my way out onto the “water” where I photographed the frozen channel, the Lake (frozen as far as I could see), and the strange ice formations.4
Winter in Western Michigan:
I spent most of my time photographing the Lake in January.5 The time not spent photographing the Lake consisted of work, re-watching all of Drive to Survive to prepare for the new season, exploring MI with Paloma, and photographing life.
January was a mix of beautiful sunny days and brutally cold winter days (reaching -10º F a few times). Some days, the sun would stream in through our dining room window and bring life to our house. Other days, clouds would fill the sky, choosing whether they wanted to dump more snow on us or darken the mood and our spirits. Here are some of my favorite images from the rest of the month:
The above image is one of my favorites, not only from this month, but also from the past few months. It’s got solid composition, a defined subject, and interesting scenery (the falling snow and ancient power lines).
The laundromat pictured above is one that we pass frequently. It’s a bit older and in a less-than-ideal part of town; however, the light that it casts onto the white snow has always mesmerized me. One night, on our way to Whole Foods, I stopped here and spent some time photographing the light that it produced.
Things I Loved This Month:
Michigan reversed their stance on Kei trucks, so I guess it’s time to get one.
Lord Huron is going on tour and we’re going!
My friend, Cole, makes some really cool art.
Charli didn’t win AOTY (a true crime), but she won three Grammys.
Josh Allen won MVP. He’s genuinely the best guy (watch the end of this).
Conclusion:
Okay, I can’t write too much more without it going over the max email length. Thank you for getting this far. I’m genuinely so sorry that this newsletter is over a week late!
If you haven’t subscribed yet and would love to see more of my work, check out this post or subscribe with the link below!
Peace & blessings. -C
Seriously, I will never stop raving about this guy. He’s genuinely my fav photographer. Just look at this set of images.
It’s cloudz for dayz up here in Western MI. Woody the Woodchuck is a liar. #impeachWoody
The majority of the rest of my time was spent dreaming about being back in Zion.
That picture from MI of the ice and the pink sky is stunning!! I love that you share these.