I have had the priveledge to write articles for an incredible website. Will Crockett is both a great shooter and teacher based out of Chicago.

A few years ago, he launched a brick and morter school called ShootSmarter.com which led to the website. The site has grown to 70,000 unique visitors EACH WEEK. Quite a feat in this economy. Last March Will asked me to write a series of columns, officially called smARTICLES for the site. I am in pretty good company, in fact I am in GREAT company writing smARTICLES with the like of Suzzette Allen, the PhotoShop Guru.

My smARTICLES are more business oriented and can relate to almost any business.
Check them out at http://www.shootsmarter.com/.

Jewish News Event

Had a great opportunity to photograph head shots at an event for The Detroit Jewish News last week. Over 200 advertisers attended and had an opportunity to have their Head Shot taken for use on Press Releases, Business Cards, FaceBook or any other thing they can think of.

Thanks to Melissa Litvin and Bob Sklar for allowing me to help them out.

PS. If you want to advertise in the Jewish News, contact Melissa.

Yeshiva Beth Yehudah Dinner

Each year for the past several years, Yeshiva Beth Yehudah in Southfield, Michigan holds a fund raising dinner. This isn't just 'a' dinner. It's the largest yeshiva fund raising event of its kind in the country. 2200+ people gather to hear speech's by important political figures and to honor someone from the community. I have been honored to be the lead photographer for this event for the past 6 years or so.

This years honored guest was Daniel Loepp, the CEO of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan. The speaker was Evan Bayh (D) Senator of Indiana. Sen Bayh delivered an impassioned speech on the safety and security of Israel to rousing standing ovation. I am proud to be part of this event. I photograph several non-profit fund raising events each year. This one is the one that others look up to as the standard. Below is L to R Detroit Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr., Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox emcee Dr. Conrad Giles, Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and Michigan's Democratic Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin

This image first appeared in The Detroit Free Press

Blue Ridge Mountains

The Blue Ridge Mountains are nestled in the Smokey Mountain range. They are called the Blue Ridge because of the constant blue haze that hangs over the sky.

Here we are in Beautiful Asheville, NC spending 5 days. Asheville is the home of the famous Biltmore Estate built by JC Vanderbilt BEFORE taxes. There is a 5 mile road from the main road to the home….

Asheville is a thriving community fine art galleries and folk art centers. A thriving music community filled with restaurants and shops.

I have displayed a few images from this wondrous area of the country

Adat Shalom Choir

Congregation Adat Shalom in Farmington Hills, MI has 2 choirs. The mixed choir is under the leadership of Cantor Frank Lanzkron-Tamarazo and directed by Janis Braun-Levine. If you think that her name is familiar, yes Janis is my wife. The choir works incredibly hard over the summer in preparation for the Jewish High Holidays and other events throughout the year.This year rather than have the standard "choir in robes" group picture, they decided to have a more casual image that really shows their personalities. I took the photo at a rehearsal today.

The photo below shows how they felt when they found out they were done taking pictures and had to go back to rehearsing!

TAC Automotive

In these tough times in the automotive market when most companies are just treading water, TAC Automotive and its parent company TAC Worldwide is the leader. TAC is an employee staffing company supplying companies worldwide with world class service.This weekend, the Automotive division held its employee awards dinner at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, MI. Employees who have done extraordinary work were recognized.

Here are some images from that event.

Camp Hermelin

This past weekend we had the chance to photograph 2 wonderful events. We photographed an employee recognition event for TAC Worldwide & a camp event for the Michigan Chapter of ORT America. ORT is a non-profit with the aims of helping people around the world by training them rather than simply giving a handout.


Beginning as the brainchild of three forward-thinking philanthropists who, in 1880, wanted to help impoverished Jews in Russia, ORT was founded on the philosophy that handouts don't work. Teaching a skill, on the other hand, is a positive step toward improving one's chance for success.


You can read more about ORT at their website http://www.ortamerica.org/


This weekend's event was held at the home of Doreen Hermelin who graciously donated the use of her property for children to have fun and learn about camping.



Here are some images from that event.