Commissioned to photograph 33 locations in 12 different counties, we spent 2 months preparing, 2 months photographing and 1 month editing the entire project for our client.

The goal of the project: to show the world what happens in West Michigan businesses on a daily basis.

The 33 locations covered the 3 largest industries in Michigan: Manufacturing, Agriculture and Tourism.

Go behind the Scenes &
Learn About Michigan’s Largest Industries

Part 1: Pure Michigan Summer: Tourism & Lifestyle Locations

With the help of fellow photographer Nick Irwin, we photographed 10 different lifestyle & tourism locations including: 4 local festivals, 2 downtown areas, the largest brown trout sculpture in the world and one of the best dog beaches in West Michigan.

Part 2: Where Did We Go: Behind the Scenes Video

Knowing this project might take on a life of it’s own, we wanted to document as much as we could of the process. So we made sure to shoot some video at the locations we visited (almost all of them) and even had a videographer with us on a few occasions.

Part 3: The Lakeshore: Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa & Allegan

From small startups to world class manufacturers, the west side of Michigan is a diverse region of manufacturing and agriculture businesses. From aluminum extrusion, to car door handles to Michigan wine, the lakeshore counties have it all.

Part 4: Central Michigan: Montcalm, Ionia & Barry

Family owned businesses that have been around for generations dominate the central part of the state. Whether the family owned businesses are large or small, the family owned feel dominates this part of the region.

Part 5: Up North: Lake, Newaygo, Osceola & Mecosta

Small town doesn’t mean limited opportunity for residents “up north”. Some of the largest manufacturers in the world have setup shop (and continue to expand) in the rural counties north of Grand Rapids. Combine that with the lower cost of living (housing, food, taxes, etc) and you might just find your own little piece of rural heaven.