The Nature Blog

The relationship between humanity and the natural world includes many facets — these are a few perspectives that I find interesting.

Performance photographs for An Issue of Blood at Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago - Performance photographs by Michael Courier

An Issue of Blood at Victory Gardens

Tosin Morohunfola (as John Israel First) and E. Faye Butler (as Nova Goode) in an Issue of Blood at Victory Gardens Theater. Tosin Morohunfola and Eleni Pappageorge (as Calla). Steve O’Connell (as Constable Mason Esau) and Tosin Morohunfola. Lizan Mitchell (as Negro Mary). Cleavant Derricks (as Dozens Goode) and E. Faye Butler. Table reading during

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Sucker Punch by Roy Williams and Directed by Dexter Bullard at Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago - Performance photographs by Michael Courier

Sucker Punch at Victory Gardens

Maurice Demus, center, holds back Denzel Love from Walter Briggs. Victory Gardens Theater kicked off their 2015-16 season with Sucker Punch by Roy Williams. The story takes place in the 1980’s and uses boxing to discuss racial and interpersonal relations during an era of unrest. You can learn more about this play by reading the

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yeiou paper objects by abigail mcmurray - portrait and product photography by michael courier

yeiou paper objects

This is Abigail in her workspace! She’s the creator of all these paper objects. She creates cards. And geometric boxes. And joyful banners. And other awesome boxes like houses and barns. Abigail McMurray is the creator of yeiou {paper objects}. Besides that, she’s a close friend and an amazing person. When I was in Boston

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Women's March on Chicago - Brining awareness to women's rights - Protest photography by Michael Courier

Women’s March on Chicago 2017

The Women’s March on Chicago was nearly five times bigger than expected. The Women’s March on Chicago took place on January 21st, one day after the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the 45th President of the United States. People in Chicago took to the streets to raise awareness of women’s rights and civil liberties.

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Toy de Jour Now Open

My friends Liz and Sam opened up a toy store! It’s called Toy de Jour (Vintage, Toys, Arts & Farts) and it’s located near Western and Armitage in Chicago. I feel old saying that I’ve known them both for about seven years and I’m still excited and amazed that they have done this. Every party

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Toy de Jour in Chicago - Vintage, Toys, Arts, & Farts

Toy de Jour Vintage Toys

Here are a few more updated interior photographs of the vintage toy store Toy de Jour that I took at the beginning of November. Every time I visit the store, the inventory and layout changes rapidly, but it generally looks something like this. If you’ve not had a chance to visit the store, I hope

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The Lonely Leaf

A single leaf in the middle of the winter. I find myself shooting scenes like this in the winter because nature photos are a bit of a struggle this time of year.

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LaBagh Woods - Forest Preserves of Cook County - Nature photos by Michael Courier

LaBagh Woods

Burnout is a weird thing, especially when it’s caused from something you love. There have been a lot of late nights and early mornings recently, a few Saturday shoots, and catching up with work on Sunday. The weirdness is doubled when the hobby you used to do to relax is now what you do to

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Lake Michigan Themes

I’ve always enjoyed waking up for sunrise — they are absolutely beautiful to see in person (and it makes afternoon napping a little easier). When you begin watching sunrises and sunsets on a continual basis, you start to notice patterns and similarities that are fun to discover. Here are a few images with similar themes.

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Lake Ice Patterns

Winter is my favorite time of the year to take long walks along Lake Michigan. With the freezing weather, the lake forms new shapes and abstract patterns that are a delight to explore and photograph. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecasted a warmer winter for the Great Lakes Region, so I’m not

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