- Starloft Photography - Canton, Michigan

Terminal Coding Competition – Event Photography – Ann Arbor, MI

Event Photography, PhotographyNovember 28, 2018 Leave a comment

University of Michigan held a Coding Competition at the Michigan League on their Ann Arbor campus. The competition started at 11 a.m. and students spent the day coding for Terminal, a game where the goal is to beat the “boss” by writing algorithms that would automate their gameplay. The students were broken into teams of three and together they worked to defeat the boss in Terminal and to win a cash prize plus exclusive job opportunities. This event was hosted by Society of Women Engineers and Correlation One, and sponsored by Citadel Securities, who had recruiters present to talk with students about their interest in coding. It was an all day event with lunch included. At the end of the day, only two teams could win with their boss-beating algorithms. It was a super cool event to witness with so many intelligent and motivated young adults. Check it out!

A look inside the Michigan League.

When students checked in, they received free “swag,” like these Terminal t-shirts.

The back of the Terminal t-shirt. “Algo” is short for algorithm!

An overhead view of the competitors.

The trophies for the two winning teams.

One of the teams working on their coding.

Another team strategizing.

Who knew coding could be so fun?!

After they finished coding, they watched each other’s algorithms play out on the big screen to witness who the winners would be.

A representative from Citadel Securities spoke at the event.

Citadel rep. spoke with students casually about their interest in working with coding after college.

A group photo of the two winning teams with their trophies!

One of the winning teams and their celebration.

The other winning team, having fun with their trophy.

The Michigan League, where the Coding Competition took place.

Union Partners – Event Photography – Comerica Park Picnic – Detroit, Michigan

Event Photography, PhotographyOctober 2, 2018 Leave a comment

We joined Union Partners at Comerica Park for the Tigers’ last home game of the season to capture their employee picnic. It was a blast shooting this event! Union Partners is an investment company that creates relationships with its partners who work in the metals and logistics industry. This event brought together their partners from the different companies for a day dedicated just to them – an employee celebration! Employees brought their families, there was a buffet of yummy food, face painting, and they enjoyed watching some baseball. It was a great time for everyone! Here are some highlights from the day.

They had hats and other goodies made with company logos.

A group photo of the families together. Go Tigers!

The kids loved having their faces painted.

Who wants their face painted?

Such a fun outing for families!

Modeling the Union Partners bag that was made for the families.

What a shot!

The kids were having a blast!

There’s always time for silly selfies.

Check out the adorable jersey koozies.

Kids of all ages enjoyed the face painting!

Go Tigers!

The picnic was fun for all ages!

2018 design:retail Forum – Event Photography – Detroit, Michigan

Event Photography, PhotographySeptember 27, 2018 Leave a comment

Design:retail held a forum in Detroit on September 12-14 for those who work in the retail design industry. We shot two full days of the event in Detroit, where the forum was held at The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit. It was a three day event that lasted two full days and another half a day. Attendees were transported to a few different locations for dinners or special events, like Detroit Motor City, College of Creative Studies, and the Detroit Institute of Arts. The second night they hold a Portfolio Award ceremony for notable people in the industry to be recognized for their work. Some of the speakers during the weekend event included the CEO of Shinola, Tom Lewand; eBay’s Head of Impact & Giving, Chris Librie; the Midwest Design Coordinator of Whole Foods Market, Christine Sturch; and design:retail’s very own Editor-in-Chief/Associate Publisher, Alison Embrey Medina. This is a paid event that occurs once each year at a different locations throughout the country and brings together the cream of the crop in the design retail industry. It’s a great setting for those who want to learn about the latest trends, take advice from those who lead the industry, and build relationships. We took so many shots, but here are a few to highlight the amazing weekend event.

design:retail’s Editor-In-Chief/Associate Publisher, Alison Embrey Medina, speaking at the forum.

design:retail Forum’s venue, The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit.

The judges getting into their roles during Retail Fight Club, a battling activity at the forum.

The contenders in the Retail Fight Club throwing up some fists – they mean business!

Dinner venue for night one at Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, part of the Detroit Motor City Dinner.

Some attendees networking at the dinner.

The attendees were having some fun in the Model T car.

The dinner set-up on night two at the DIA.

The attendees enjoying dinner before the Portfolio Awards.

Networking at its finest!

Some of the winners with their awards. Congratulations to the winners!

Phil Bahr Compass Luncheon Event Photography – Livonia, Michigan

Event Photography, PhotographySeptember 7, 2018 Leave a comment

Every first Thursday of the month Compass hosts a luncheon for Christians who work in the business industry to come together in Southeast Michigan. It’s a wonderful networking event that offers a place for people to connect and listen to powerful speakers. In the past, Chuck Gaidica spoke at a luncheon.

The last luncheon took place on Thursday, September 6th, and we were there to capture some shots from the event. Phil Bahr, president of the Ashes to Glory Foundation, was introduced as speaker by his son, Scott Bahr. Ashes to Glory is a non-profit organization that gives financial assistance to those who are seeking help for their addiction and would like to try professional Christian therapy. Phil and his wife, Dawn, founded the Ashes to Glory Foundation after rescuing their son from addiction. From this journey, they thought of the idea for Ashes to Glory and have been helping those who struggle with addiction to become clean again.

The scholarships given from Ashes to Glory assist individuals and families in therapy, residential stay for a minimum of 90 days, extended care programs for after release, and individual and family counseling to help rebuild homes that have been broken by addiction.

Next month’s Compass luncheon will be on Thursday, October 4th. We invite you to join us!

Ken McMullen, Chairman of the Western Wayne sector of Compass

Guest speaker, Phil Bahr

Scott Bahr introducing his dad

Networking at the luncheon

Some of the people who came to the luncheon.

Altran – Event Photography – Wixom, MI

Photography, UncategorizedNovember 18, 2017 Leave a comment

We joined Altran for the grand opening of their Wixom location and Passive Safety Center! The company held a special ribbon-cutting event to introduce their new location, and the Passive Safety Center will be used to simulate and run texts for vehicle safety. Fellow Altran employees from all over the world joined for this special event. Key people in the company shared some of their own thoughts and advice to those who came to celebrate. There was a tour of the new facility, including the indoor track they use for testing.

Altran is a leader in engineering technology, as well as research and development. They work with what seems to be an endless array of industries including automotive, railways, infrastructure, aeronautics, and space. They’re a worldwide company headquartered in Paris, France.

Many people showed up to welcome the Wixom location to the Altran family. There were Altran goodies given away, yummy food for the tasting, some champagne to ring in the opening, speeches, touring, and networking galore! It was an exciting opening for everyone involved and we captured the night shot by shot.

Here are a few of the headshots taken at the grand opening.

Group shot for the business portrait.

Champagne for celebrating!

Salad, anyone?

One for you, the rest for me!

Some of the Altran goodies for the team.

Community member speaks at the opening.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony!

A member of the Altran team explaining what will happen during the passive safety demonstration.

The safety test vehicle.

A look at the inside of the safety vehicle.

A candid of some networking taking place.

Of course we had to take a photo with the test dummy’s head!

Livonia Chamber – Event Photography – Livonia, MI

Photography, UncategorizedSeptember 15, 2017 Leave a comment

We attended the Livonia Chambers Connecting Cultures event in Livonia. It was a beautiful celebration of the many cultures that create us and bring business together. We captured the event from beginning to end and we’re excited to share some of our favorites with you! While at the event, there were speakers from five different generations offering their opinions, perspectives, and thoughts on the same issue. It was interesting to hear the varying answers in comparison to when the person had been born and the times they had lived through. It was a wonderful networking event that discussed the combination of businesses and cultures in this day and age.

Celebrating diversity at the Livonia Chamber Connecting Cultures event.

A candid of the speakers.

Many members attended the event.

One of the speakers at the chamber event.

Some of the attendees.

Networking is never in short supply!

A posed portrait of the speakers.

Smiling faces at this event!

Domus Vita Holiday Party 2014

Announcements, PhotographyDecember 19, 2014 Leave a comment

So, first, I have some exciting news! Today I hired an assistant! The lovely and talented Ms. Julianne Schultz. I’m looking forward to teaching her and having her help. I think it will mean great things for Starloft Photo & Video in 2015! More about her will come very soon!

Today we did portraits with Santa and on-site printing of 4×6 prints for the Domus Vita holiday party. Domus Vita provides services for developmentally disabled adults. Because of the nature of their business and privacy concerns, we aren’t able to share the portraits here on our blog, but I just wanted to share how much fun the event was! The party was held at the Italian American Banquet Center in Livonia, Michigan. There was a meal and a pretty rocking DJ. It seemed everyone had a great time, and they were able to take a printed portrait home with them as they left. Fun times.

Working with the developmentally disabled was a bit challenging at times as I was taking the photos, but it really got me thinking about how these people need so much care in the day-to-day that I think sometimes we forget how miraculous their lives are. I heard story after story as I was shooting about how “the doctors said so-and-so wouldn’t live past age 10” or “she’s been a patient of ours for 19 years.” It made me remember just how amazing all of our lives are and to not take our abilities for granted. Could you imagine not being able to walk or being able to hear? I can’t even begin to imagine. Be thankful today for what God has enabled you to do.

Wasser Christmas Party

Event Photography, PhotographyDecember 3, 2012 Leave a comment

On Saturday night, I photographed a totally fun Christmas party for the Wasser Family. This was the 25th year in a row that they have done a Christmas party to celebrate with their friends. So, this one was special for them. They set up a fun background with stringed lights behind white fabric with some silver trees and champagne for photographing couples as they arrived. Later during the party I printed the portraits and put them into cardboard ornament frames for the Wassers to give their guests as gifts. Unfortunately, I didn’t think of it at the time, but I should have photographed the printed images in their frames once they were complete so I could show you how smashing they were. The prints were a big hit. There was also some great food, a live singer, and some super cute elves to greet guests and take their coats. A great time was had by all!

The Wassers

The Elves

Party Food

Champagne

The Crooner

Party Time

Clarendon Day Electric Racing Kart Demo – Arlington, VA

Event Photography, PhotographySeptember 28, 2009 Leave a comment

This past Saturday was Clarendon Day in Arlington, which is a huge festival full of arts, crafts, music, food, and fun. Part of the festivities included an electric racing kart demonstration put on by the NoVA Kart Racing group and Volta Grand Prix. Below is a photo of David from the Kart groups driving his electric racing kart on a course marked by cones in the street. It was a fun day!

A shot of the racing kart with the men who made it.

An up close shot of the guys.

Solo shot of the kart.

Getting ready to race.

The track lined with cones.

Action shot of David racing the kart!

One of the cars on display on Clarendon Day.

A more sporty car on display.

OBG Fundraiser at Cosi – Event Photography – Arlington, VA

Photography, UncategorizedSeptember 27, 2009 Leave a comment

This week I photographed a fundraiser event for the Oldies But Goodies Cocker Spaniel Rescue at the Cosi in Arlington. Most of the guests were foster parents for dogs. So, they brought their dogs along as well. There were raffle prizes to raise money for OBG and some fun games for the dogs. It was a great time!