I was one of the film festival’s photographers. The festival (currently in it’s 6th year) is driven by volunteer efforts. I have volunteered as a photographer since 2006.  This year’s opening day festivities were different than previous years because the opening party was held at night to coincide with Larry King’s schedule. I got some great photos of Michael Moore behind the scenes and I also got a shot of the man who heckled him at the end of the broadcast. You can see me towards the beginning of this broadcast. Look for the guy holding the camera over his head.

Click this link to parts 2, 3 and 4

Now for some behind the scenes shots.

This is the guy who heckled Moore towards the end of the broadcast.

I had nothing to do with the making of the video above. I like the song and the video gives you a good idea of how the opening went.

I barely remembered this park from my childhood. When I was 12-years-old or thereabouts my friends and I rode our bikes from Lansing’s South-side to Williamston to attend the jubilee festival. My family has some history in Williamson. Both of my grandparents on my mother’s side are buried there and my Great Grandfather owned a candy store in Williamston. I haven’t been there in a long time so my memory of McCormick park was vague.

Joe suggested the park as an excellent place to shoot. Once I got there I was taken aback by the vast expanse of open field. “What do we do in this space?,” I wondered as Joe and I walked the park in search of shooting ideas. We noticed a gentle river that flowed around the park with some very nice scenery on the opposite banks. We also crossed the road and looked at the decorative bridge that crossed Putnam Street. “Hmm…This could be interesting,” I thought “but it’s going to be difficult to find enough scenery to keep a shoot going for more than a half hour.”  The last shoot I did with Samantha and Kyle was on the top of a parking garage in Lansing in freezing cold weather. That shoot was over pretty quick because of the cold. This was much different and a welcome change.

As I was walking on the bridge to get a feel for the place Joe motioned me over to the edge where he saw a blue racer coiled up on the rocks below. “This is the place,” I thought because Samantha was bringing Sir Hiss, her albino corn snake to the shoot.  I figured the blue racer sighting was a sign from above that we were in the right place. I often leave my shooting up to the man (or woman) above and let whatever power there is in the universe flow through and make the shot. I don’t try to force it because I like the shooting to happen naturally. I often find that this leads to a more organic result.

Anyway. Enough talking. Let’s get to the pics. To me, this shoot seems like another movie idea. It’s like one man goes searching for the Garden of Eden where he meets and falls in love with Eve.

Here is Eve played by Samantha Harris and the explorer played by Kyle Gask-Wilson. (The snake is played by

Sir Hiss)

BTW. We spent hours on this shoot and had a blast!

This time the workshop was looking like the biggest one yet. I didn’t know if I could handle it. Once people arrived, however, the workshop started really humming with creativity. My main focus was helping photographers figure out how to use their cameras and the various lighting set-ups they brought. It was interesting to see all the different lights that people use for their photography. One local photographer brought a whole studio set-up. He had all the Alien bees and diffusers. I was very impressed with that.

We had a pretty good turnout of models but it wasn’t as many as I expected. We also had Victoria Mather there to do make-up and hair. She calls herself an MUAH (make-up and hair).

Here are some of the reviews I got from  a few of the photographers who attended:

Bevin Buchler  of Sweet Pea Photography said;

Todd, thank you so much (and others who helped) make the workshop happen. I had SO much fun, and it was amazing to meet so many talented people! I can’t wait for another, and let me know if you ever need help with them!!!

Michael Porter said;

Another great time at the Model Photo Shoot. Thanks Todd L Church for all the time and effort you put into making this informative and fun

Casey Lynn Browning said;

Had a great day today … thank you Todd L Church and all who made it possible … and thank you to everyone who was there who helped me … you guys are amazing!!!

My friend Joe and I set up a website forum for the workshops. It’s at www.modelphotoworkshop.com.

Here are a few of my images from the workshop. I didn’t get the chance to take too many because I was running around helping others.