Grand Rapids Photography, Lifestyle Portraits Grand Rapis, Senior Portraits Grand Rapids
My name is Chris Fugitt.
I am a photographer based in Grand Rapids, MI.
I create images. Portraits, commerical, editorial, etc.
I am enspired by texture. light. color. people. art. & Creation.
I'm married to my lovely wife Rachel.
Here’s a little father & son arcade/go-cart/mini golf (lifestyle session) action for you. This has become a yearly event for George, “Juice”, and myself. Last year I tagged along on a fishing trip in East Grand Rapids. I love these type of lifestyle sessions because I truly believe that I’m capturing historical moments. Yes, its “only” a trip to the arcade…but its such a significant story to tell.
- Love this session! Love! Your right as well that it's such a great way to document life in all natural surroundings.August 20, 2010 - 7:32 pm
- WOW! These are really nice pictures I like the effects on them.August 2, 2010 - 3:25 am
I recently met up with the band Photoside Cafe for a shoot at the Big Ticket Festival. Great group of guys! Be sure to check them out. Here are some of the photos from the shoot:
A little behind the scenes action for you….
Photo courtesy Photoside Cafe
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Photoside Cafe, Photoside Cafe. Photoside Cafe said: Hey Guys! Awesome photoshoot from Big Ticket Fest with a great photographer, Chris Fugitt. Check them out!... http://fb.me/yAAUiWHZ [...]July 24, 2010 - 6:09 am
I was really excited to have the opportunity to photograph Eric and Lisa, good friends from college. They currently live down in Nashville so it’s rare for us to get together these days. They were in town for a weekend and I was free so we arranged a lifestyle session. I love “random” lifestyle sessions! By random I mean there isn’t a specific occasion or reason for it. Most people have their professional wedding photos and maybe some family portraits down the road when they have kids. It’s really refreshing to tell their story in a season of life that is so often neglected photographically.
On a side note. I would highly recommend visiting Lisa’s site Paper Finch Studio. She is a super talented artist. Seriously, consider buying her work while you can still afford it. I just picked up a painting and am loving it!
This week a music video I filmed for George Moss, “Go Hard or Go Home” was released online. This particular project was filmed with the Canon 7d. This camera is a workhorse! We shot several scenes unprotected in the pouring rain (most of which didn’t make the final cut). The weather proofing on the 7d is no joke. I would consider this project a fast paced, small-production shoot. George had just arrived from Australia and had only a couple days before he had to be back on the road. We had less than two days to film the entire production. Every scene was filmed hand held using only ambient light, besides the performance scenes (where an AB800 modeling light was used).
I truly believe that the game is changing with the arrival of the hdslr (Canon 5d, 7d, etc.). More and more dp’s are using them on shows such as 24, House, Flashforward, and SNL to name a few. The upcoming season finale of House will be filmed entirely on the Canon 5d. I’m really excited for the future of video!
Equipment used on this project: Canon 7d, 50mm 1.8, 24-70 L 2.8, 8mm fish eye, 85mm 1.8, and an AB800. Edited by Jack Morgan Productions. Special thanks to Anthony for assisting on day one.
- Yup! the 7 D can really do wonders. I like this video.You shoulda used the 24fps .May 7, 2010 - 2:01 pm
Here is a recent lifestyle session I did w/ Carnel + Konah. They both met at Ferris State University and are getting married later this summer. Part of the session was photographed at Vertigo Music based on the record shop scene in the film Love Jones. Midway through our session Konah related me to Tyra Banks (you know how she does a little photography on America Next Top Model?). That’s a first for sure, but I’ll take Tyra. Special thanks to Herm @ Vertigo Music for opening up his store!
There’s a couple photography blogs that I visit regularly. One of them is Seattle based photographer Chase Jarvis. He recently had a blog post titled “5 Photoshoot Ideas Worth Steeling“. One of the ideas was to photograph a grandparent extensively. For some reason this idea really struck me. So I stole it.
Whenever I am at my grandma’s house there are always photos everywhere, often going back several generations. While I’ve seen most of the photos and heard most of the stories countless times, every once in a while I’ll see a new photo with a new story. That was the case with the first photo below of my grandparents with their first car. Photographing my grandma made me realize that my work as a photographer is so much more important than I ever realized. Telling the story of peoples lives is so significant & historical. As we stood looking at old black & white photos going back generation after generation, photographing my grandmother became even more significant. While I’ve always had a connection to those photos, they seemed so distant from my life. It wasn’t until photographing my grandma telling those stories that I felt connected. I felt that my work was a continuation of the stories scattered across the table before us. A continuation of my grandmothers story. A continuation of my story.
In the age of digital photography (and who knows what the next form of imagery will be?) I wonder if in fifty years from now we’ll be looking at the photos from our past? There is just something about holding an old photograph that doesn’t compare to an image flashing on a screen.
If you’re a photographer (pro, hobbyist, iphone shooter, etc.)….if you have a camera I’d encourage you to photograph your grandparent(s). I bet you’ll walk away knowing a lot more about your story. You’ll end up with a bunch of priceless photos. And you’ll probably make your grandparent(s) day.
Since this shoot with my grandma, my wife’s grandfather has been hospitalized. He’s being taken off life support tonight. Just reminds me how invaluable these photos are. 
- This is a very cool idea. I wish I had taken photos of my grandmother before she passed away. My mom discouraged it because she thought it would be better to remember her the way she was … when she was younger, I guess. Good for you for taking the time to document this moment!April 13, 2010 - 3:23 pm
- grandma! chris, these photos are wonderful. sometimes i get so busy and run out of time to visit her, but this is a good reminder that i shouldn't put visits on the back burner. thanks!April 13, 2010 - 2:27 am
- omg my dogs look so sweet and so happyApril 7, 2010 - 1:28 am
Alan & LaTreasa are an awesome couple. Seriously, isn’t your day 10 times better if you’re hanging out and working with really great people? That’s one of the many things I love about photography, I get to meet a lot of really cool people. I first met LaTreasa last year at Naissance (she has good taste in art).
At the beginning of our session I asked them to follow me on a snow covered path. LaTreasa was wearing heals and I ask if she was going to be okay walking the path with them and she says “Oh yeah, I’m from Chicago.” I knew the session was going to be good! I’m so confident that you get what you’re willing to put into a session (both as a photog & subject).
Part of the session was photographed at Argos Book Shop in Eastown. The moment you walk in there you feel like you are in a scene of a movie. You’re immediately surrounded in a sea of books, from floor to ceiling, topic after topic. I could easily get lost for a few hours in there.
I really enjoyed being able to photograph Alan’s proposal. I feel like a proposal is such a significant and historical moment in the lives of two people. It’s humbling to be asked to capture that experience.
- OMG!! These are sooo cute! I was LITRALLY *insider* tearing up haha! Love you both! Congratssss!!!!March 4, 2010 - 2:38 pm
- this photos were great! i'm in tears! :) love itMarch 2, 2010 - 7:22 pm
- So precious!! You two are blessed...Congratulations.March 2, 2010 - 8:50 am
- WOW, Beautiful I ESPECIALLY love the Last one!!! Great Job!March 2, 2010 - 7:10 am
- Congratulations...baby cuz! I am so happy for you and I'll see you soon.March 2, 2010 - 2:04 am
- Excellent Work! I feel the love. You guys look great. Cuteness!March 2, 2010 - 1:36 am
- I love them! congrats guys!!!March 1, 2010 - 6:36 pm
- These are absolutely gorgeous, Congratulations!March 1, 2010 - 6:01 pm
Last week I was in Nashville attending a workshop put on by Jeremy Cowart. His work is currently featured on the cover of Relevant Magazine as well as in the recently published book Awakening. Jeremy’s had a huge impact in my photography and I was really excited to be able to spend a day & a half learning from him (to read more about how he has impacted my photography see my previous Help Portrait blog post). It’s refreshing to meet someone you’ve respected for a long time and they turn out exactly how you expected: very chill & down-to-earth.
This workshop was less about the technical aspects of shooting and more about developing vision & creativity.
Here are a few images of Jay, one of the models from the workshop:
by Chris
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