The last couple weeks have been quite busy, and that's not a bad thing! One week I did some senior portraits with Nathan who you can see here: www.turnbullphotographyart.com/nathan.html, and then the next doing some family portraits with the Kelly family which you can see here: www.turnbullphotographyart.com/kelly-family.html, and then finally with some decent weather I was able to go out for some impulsive urbex shooting to add to my photo blog, a post called "Devolution" which you can see here: www.turnbullphotographyart.com/photo-blog/devolution.

Aside from all that I had to make some behind-the-scenes website changes due to browser upgrades and changes, and I am constantly added new videos to my YouTube channel which you can see here: www.youtube.com/channel/UCZOU-eI0l36QUuTvwixj6rQ (feel free to subscribe).

Whew!
​My hope is that you find something of interest, sharing in my interests as well.

As always I appreciate each of you,
​Michael.

It has been since June that I have had a new post. I have neglected my talents, and withdrew from what I enjoyed most.  So today I made a vow to myself to continue on, to go when I feel I am at my worst.  I went outside today, just to take in everything I could see, hear, touch, and smell.  Out there, I was reminded why I am doing what I do. Feel free to take some time for yourself. See my latest blog post called "Where Have I been".
As always, I appreciate each of you,
​Michael.

Main roads, heavy traffic, and a guy walking around with a camera about his neck, peeking around...
I try to act like I ignore those passing by, but it is that moment when one tends to flee, or move forward. In doing so, once out of view, behind a hill, a nook, a wall, my heart begins to race.
In these moments you have to focus on your skill, and maintain a steady hand.
In those quiet spaces you can hear your own heart race, the blood rushing through your veins. Any slight noise is an alert to...What? Danger? Good enough for me!
I shoot what I can, and like the ghosts that reside, vanish, leaving everything untouched.
Inside the car I remember I need to breathe...
See my latest blog post "Auscultating" here.
As always, I appreciate each of you.
Michael

Blue skies, warm weather... A small walk among blooming green and rushing water that soothes the soul. Nature's white noise; absorbing wandering thoughts, relaxing muscles to hike, climb, and even get a little wet.
Soak in the Sun with me in my latest blog post called "Assuagement".
As always, I appreciate each of you.
​Michael

I have had many requests from various people regarding portraits, and cost.
My endeavour is to be completely inclusive for everyone with the need or interest.
I have a resolution for the challenges that can come between finances, and the need for a photographer.
Please see my "Portrait Information" page for details by clicking the button below.

As always I appreciate each of you,
​Michael. 

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While cleaning my desk last weekend, I had a large pile of paperwork to be sorted. In doing so, I had some art that I had done, hidden among folders, forms, and receipts; completely forgotten. I had a couple ink abstracts, a few collages, and some oil pastels.
If you haven’t visited my “Endeavours” page, you can click the link here. I have a page strictly for pastels, and you will find the others under “Miscellanea”.
Thank you for your support,
Michael.

Early February, 20 some odd degrees Fahrenheit, the Sun lays hidden behind a dull grey sky.  In a town I haven’t been to in some time, I have my camera, knowing that this location has its peculiarities. 45°1′29″N 84°40′36″W, Gaylord Michigan.  Known as the “Alpine Village”, it is also known to travelers headed east as the place with the “Ice Tree”, right downtown.  I’ve seen it for many years, always different, due to changes in temperatures and wind. My original intent was to go there first, get as close as possible, and feel the chill that reaches to one’s soul. I did so, and getting what I thought was the best shot, I went for a stroll around downtown.
After taking some different shots I thought interesting, as you all should know, I am a sucker for thrift shops. I found one. A step inside and I was enthralled. It is there I spoke with the store owner, and was granted permission to take pictures inside. I could hardly contain myself, and so after much thanks, I traversed the store. This place was far from your ordinary thrift shop, hence the use of the word “traversed”.
So take a short stroll with me, and get lost in the local thrift store in my latest photo blog post called “Cold Wanderer”.
As always, I appreciate each of you.
Michael

I originally had my music posted on Soundcloud and Bandcamp.
I do however as an artist believe that because of my various talents, I could put them to better use. So, I have began to make music videos, with a combination of my music, photography, and poetry.
I created a YouTube channel to share my work in that format. At the current time, I only have a couple videos posted, as it takes a considerable amount of time to compose, create, render, then finally upload.
I feel this is a progression as an artist of my various talents.
Please listen, watch, read, and of course share!
You can see my music page here, or by clicking the YouTube button below.
As always, I appreciate each of you,
Michael.

Friday the 13th, and bored. A cold winter day; snowing, blowing. The kind of day where you can’t really do anything, let alone feel like it.
So I pace the floor of my studio and realize “you know, I think I could take some interesting shots in here”. As you can see in the photos, I do have some interesting things in my creative space. Albeit though, odd things to some, I think Interesting none the less.
If I may, I’d like to share my winter boredom with you. Come to my creative space, pick up and examine the odd, and try out my instruments, pet my cat. :)
In doing this, it was a meditation of the things around me, my interests, a realization of what makes me, me.
​See my new post here.
Michael.

After much thought, I have changed my website (domain name) to www.turnbullphotographyart.com
​Michael.

Permission. Noun: 1. To have consent; authorization. 2. The act of giving a formal authorization. 

Most often, permission (by my definition) is not getting caught. Although I do trespass at times (well okay, most) there are rare instances that I do have permission to enter, wander, and lose myself in that space and time into which I have stepped. I am there for that instant, looking back, discovering, and trying to imagine what it was like there. I get lost in question and wonder; just for that brief moment, when time stands still, my heart stopped, holding my breath.
This instance, I had permission from the landowner, heck, it was even someone I knew! So, with huge thanks, and running like a kid to the playground, I took in all I could.

As you can see in the photos, you can recognize just why such places are either boarded up, locked up, or have signs for no entry. Some places can be extremely dangerous.

You can see that danger in my new blog post called “Permissions”.

My extreme gratitude goes to my new friend “Shirley”. Thank you for the amazing experience.

Michael.

On a Sunday afternoon, I had the pleasure of working with a girl who, without question, did exactly what I needed her to do.  After some long and exhausting few hours, we surrendered from the falling Sun. A beautiful young woman, although demur, she made for a bold statement wherever we went, and with that I was honoured. See Sydney here.
I also had fun with my son Michael, brave (well okay tolerant), dad was trying to do something a little out of the ordinary. Wandering around looking for that spot (oh, here's one! "umm okay") spending some quality time with my son and brother, who was visiting from Colorado, made for a lighter mood, to break up the "okay dad's taking my picture now". A timeless adventure I'll never forget, and here he'll be forever my boy. See my son Michael here.
As always I appreciate each of you,
​Michael.

A short time  ago, I had the fun opportunity to take some photos of a sweet little girl named Bella. Energetic and a natural, I couldn't help but laugh and smile. You can't pass up the sunshine given by a spirited young one, and remember or relish your child growing up, and feel the youth within yourself. Come and take your place on the swing-set, and see Bella here.
As always, I appreciate each of you,
​Michael.

Sunday afternoon.  I had a couple places in mind to shoot some photos, but nothing really solid.  But, with a little exploration, I didn’t get to go where I wanted, but I still found some interesting things. This gallery contains not only some urbex, but also some water vistas, organic macros, and some other classic shots. So spend a couple hours with me here, and wander through some wet ferns, slipping on molds and fungus, and not to forget to step carefully on rotten floors.
For some reason I could clean my dirty zoom ring, but I would be cleaning some awesome memories.
As always, I appreciate each of you.
Michael

This place was previously off limits, mainly because of the video cameras that hung off the house like bees nests, waiting for trespassers. Until recently. The property went up for sale, cameras were gone, and the place was wide open. Suddenly I had an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.  Just one thing, my mum was with me, looking for the right country backdrops for her photo shoot. I ventured in, and she followed, heels and all! 
So venture with me in my new blog post called “Off Limits”.
You can also see my mum’s photos on her page under portrait galleries called “Sabrina”.
As always, I appreciate each of you!
Michael.

Antique stores, well not everything is “antique”, but still interesting none the less. I tried to stick to a theme as I browsed this huge store, however some things being so unique, you have to capture them.
Take a look around with me in a new blog post called “Antiquated Finds”.
Those photos I did take are just a few, because you could literally lose yourself in time browsing.
Michael.

My toughest customer to date: my grandmother! I’ve always wanted to take some photos with her, but opportunity gets a little harder, as things go, when your 89 years of age.  So, we stuck to the studio, and took some fun shots. Wiggled like a toddler, and taking direction as you would shoot your cat, she was a challenge (laughing). As I have stated on my main page, portraits are for any age! See my new post called “Madelon” here. Love you granny!

I am very lucky: good genetics.  My mother came to visit for a week of vacation. One of the intentions were to take some photos; most planned, but yet some at random to take in some of the fun of summer. In my latest gallery “Sabrina”, you can see why I am lucky. As I have stated on my man page, portraits truly are for any age!
Thanks mum for your spontaneity, and willingness to go along for the ride!
​I have also added variations of the same pose to get an idea of my creative process.
Thank you for visiting, and as always, I appreciate each of you.
Michael.

Sunday afternoon. I  had these places in mind, and was curious. More stories left untold or forgotten. A small trip turning into a step into someone else's past. I ask myself why, where did everyone go? Intriguing  as it is, mysterious, all I can do is capture the moments slowed by time, decaying with age. Cautiously entering, never knowing what I may find, those places always contain something alive; fear. Fear of the unknown, like death's breath you can smell it, you always smell it. 
Hold your breath, and see my new blog post called "Where did you go?" here.
Michael.

I do like a challenge, so when taking on this last photo shoot, I understood that there would be some props and costumes.
Doing this project helped me realize, as a photographer, every detail that comes into play.
In my latest portrait gallery galled "Megan" you can see those challenges here.
I would like to thank those involved for the opportunity.
​Michael

​Feu De Maison (House Fire).  Driving around the countryside and I discover a large fieldstone house. From the outside you could still smell the smoke.  A look inside, and there is nothing but devastation. I wonder what started it, but with a keen observation I knew it began in the kitchen.  I don’t understand how the fire spread, because it looked as though a finger of flame brushed across almost everything, while some places were not completely burnt like the rest. Miscellaneous items that you thought would have been destroyed were not, while others lay blackened.

I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like, living there, hopefully peacefully, and then possibly without warning everything you own becomes fuel for the inferno. I felt at the same time saddened, and amazed. I don’t know what happened, and probably don’t want to know. My hope is that everyone came out safe, my fear, is that it is a mystery.

So do yourself a favour: check your smoke alarms, check your carbon monoxide detectors, have or get a fire extinguisher, for all fire types, and keep it easily accessible.

I can still smell it…

In my latest post “Michigan Water” I’ve revisited some old photos that some are 10+ years old. Taken with a point and shoot camera that I had during which I lived a previous life, my old job. I traveled all over northern Michigan doing my job, and along the way I came across some sights that were just too hard to not stop and capture.
While some are lower resolution, some are after I had bought my new camera.  It’s hard to live in Michigan and not appreciate the water that surrounds us. Some of the places I have visited probably don’t look like anything at all like they did then, and possibly too, some no longer even exist.
So go for a ride with me, working some days 14 hours, and take in some of the beauty I have come across, and, with this post, you will too.

In my latest post “A Summer day”, I begin with a look out my front door. It’s raining, lightly with short bursts of thunder overhead.  A trip to my in-laws, and two Sandhill cranes stare at me from across the field, no more rain, but slightly windy and overcast.

I decide from there to take a short trip to my place of childhood. Beginning with a small public access where I would spend my mornings on summer break, swimming out as far as I could, treading there until out of breath, and slowly swimming back to shore. The road that leads there has almost disappeared from well cut grass, presumably from the neighbours on each side.

Not far from my house was a sand pit, where I would spend hours running and jumping from the edge, to see how far I could go. The roots from the trees at the edge hung over, as if one could hide, dig in, escape… I would search the bottom for unusual rocks, and put them in my pockets for my bike ride home.  When at times too, we (my brother and his friends) would ride off the edge of the pit, daredevil style, testing our fears. But all that too has overgrown with ferns and small trees. The pit smaller from 30+ years of erosion, slowing filling what once was a large sandy hole in the ground.

I complete my daydream with a trip to the other side of the lake, generally one not favoured by the locals. The park although has the amenities that favor a small get-together or group party, with a nice view.

Going back makes me think about the phrase “you can never go back”. As we change, so do those things that helped make us who we are today. I satisfied my curiosity, and took comfort knowing that the past is truly the past...

​Michael.

After adding many quotes on my Facebook page, I decided after much thought, to move them onto my webpage.
I hope you find your way here, and appreciate as I do, what I find inspiring.
Quotes written within "quotations" are words written by others, with those written without are my own.
You can find my new page here.
Thank you, Michael

The headline in the local news: “Railroad speeder cars set to make stop in town June 4.”
Speeder cars eh? Sounded interesting enough, never knew those existed, and yet here they are in our small town of Kalkaska.
Taking the pictures was fun, but I have to admit; the people that drove them all had intricate stories of their origination.  Some came from Canada, while others mostly from the Midwestern states, one even being from Michigan.
I couldn’t imagine what a calming (but loud, as I was told) experience, traversing to different places on the rails, through areas only those who’ve ridden the tracks would see...
See my latest photo blog post called “Speeder Cars” for something quite unique.