Wine Expert

Allie Merrick, 31, the Wine Relations Director at the soon to open wine bar called Reserve in downtown Grand Rapids has been a peot, speaker, brand developer, videographer, and marketing consultant including starting mywinewords.com and winerywords.com.

Around the Game

 West Catholic High School football team fans in Gang Green including Nick Dyga, center, cheer before the game against the Orchard Lake St. Mary's Eaglets at West Catholic High School Friday August 27, 2010.

I try to follow what Robert Capa said, "if your pictures aren't good you aren't close enough." Which I believe means; get close to the action, so that's what I do.

 A member of Gang Green bites his chain before the West Catholic High School football against the Orchard Lake St. Mary's Eaglets.

 Zeeland West football fans Cassie Otten, left, Sarah Kamstra, right, cheer together for their team.

The Holland High School performs at Holland Municipal Stadium.

Grand Valley State University Football

 Grand Valley State University Lakers Justin Sherrod dives to score a touchdown against the Indianapolis Greyhounds at Lubbers Stadium Saturday September 18, 2010.

Grand Valley State University Lakers led by Luther Ware, center right, tackles Indianapolis Greyhounds Joumeel McLaurine, center left, at Lubbers Stadium Saturday September 18, 2010.

To see more photographs from the game go to: GVSU football defeat Indianapolis

Hope Football

 Hope Flying Dutchmen Kyle Warren, left, pushes Illinois Wesleyan Titans Michael Sloboda, right, during the Dutchmen's 16-20 loss to the Titans at Holland Municipal Stadium Saturday September 4, 2010.

 Illinois Wesleyan Titans Aaron Moody, left, intercepts the ball in the end zone in a pass intended for Hope Flying Dutchmen Jared Hudson, right, the Titans defeated the Dutchmen 20-16 at Holland Municipal Stadium Saturday September 4, 2010.

Illinois Wesleyan Titans Ryan Gesko, top, and Michael Panno, right, tackle Hope Flying Dutchmen Kyle Dietrich, left, during the Dutchmen's loss tot he Titans 16-20 at Holland Municipal Stadium Saturday September 4, 2010.

For more photos go to:  college_football_hope_loses_season_opener_to_illinois_wesleyan

Kent County Honor Camp

Campers look after the horses of the Kent County Mounted patrol at the Kent County Sheriff's Honor Camp Friday September 17, 2010. The campers look after the horses, maintain the camp, cut firewood to sell, and raise vegetables to eat and donate to the food pantries.

I have been in prisons before, but my experience was limited to medium and maximum security prisons, I think I was also in a county jail, but I'm not sure of the security level.  This was my first time in a minimum security camp.  It was quite nice.  The campers look after the Kent county Sheriff's department horses, grow vegetables, and chop down fire wood.
I rarely offer my own opinion about political issues; my job as a journalist is to report the news, not give my opinions about it.  But in this case I will make an exception, in my opinion the prison camp should not be closed down.  The campers who have not committed violent crimes should not be mixed in with the more serious criminals.  It would be like sending the campers to college for a major in felonies.

More photographs below:

To learn more about the Honor Camp go to:  Kent County Honor Camp on MLive

The Reeds Lake Triathlon

Athletes swim in the Reeds Lake Triathlon in East Grand Rapids Saturday September 11, 2010.

I hate waking up early, especially after a late night shooting at a football game and as I watched the hard core athletes race into the cold water in the early morning, I was happy to be dry and wearing extra clothes.  I also discovered that I don't enjoy lying down in goose poo, but since I wanted to get as close to the action as possible, while remaining hypothermia free, I ended up crawling in it. 
Aside from the Physical discomfort I enjoyed the Reeds Lake Triathlon.  I did not become fitter through osmosis, but I was inspired by the athletes' determination.

Other photographs from the shoot:

 

 the link to the gallery on MLive: Reeds Lake Triathlon MLive

End of an era

Muskegon Lumberjacks player Robin Bouchard leans against a wall after the Lumberjacks lost their last semi-final game against the Flint Generals at L.C. Walker Arena. The loss ended the Lumberjacks final season, and 50 years of professional minor league hockey in Muskegon.

Emily Bouchard, the daughter of Muskegon Lumberjacks player Robin Bouchard holds her father's hand after the Lumberjacks' last game ended in a 5-2 defeat by the Flint Generals at L.C. Walker Arena.

This is a tragic story.  The number one team in the league lost in the semi-finals of the league playoffs, to end their last season.  It was hard for me to be a voyeur into their tragedy.  But I think the truth of the story is that although Robin Bouchard was sad to end his season, he doesn't care about hockey even a fraction of how much he cares about his family--which he still has.  So the tragedy is really not that bad.

Looking up to a hero

Mha Kai Lenox, 3 years old right, touches the emblem on Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler's hat, left, before the 2010 Crime Victims Rights Week Vigil.

Mha Kai Lenox, 3 years old right, jumps to try and touch Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler's hat, left.

I had a chance to talk with Sheriff Roesler after these photographs were published, I was glad to find out that he appreciated them.

Faces of baseball

Muskegon Big Reds baseball player Nate Smith throws his helmet after Muskegon lost to the Grand Haven Buccaneers 7-4 at Marsh Field in Muskegon.

Reeths-Puffer Rockets Jeff Van Laan, right, catches the ball as Mona Shores Sailors Michael Lipan, left, tries to return to first base during the GMAA baseball Tourney Championship at Reeths-Puffer High School.

Foggy day

A cyclist bikes through the fog along Pere Marquette Beach.

It was a foggy day.  Few people were out and about.  I thought about how to create a cool photograph in the fog.  I decided I wanted something to show the fog.  I found these trees by the beach which fit my idea of cool shapes that vanish into the mist.  Then I patiently waited for one of the few cyclists to be in the right spot.