Whether he’s in the city or out in nature, local photographer Chris Marinica finds beauty everywhere he goes.

Luckily for Detroit, it just so happens the Livonia native likes to head downtown. His work features everything from quiet trails to towering architecture, all the while experimenting with perspective and color.

In the next two weeks, Marinica will share all of this and more as he takes over the GMRENCEN Instagram account. We recently caught up with him to learn a little more about his start, his photography and his plans for his GMRENCEN takeover.

A Jack of All Trades

A videographer by trade, Marinica was first moved to capture moments through film. In fact, he works as a wedding videographer helping newlyweds remember their big day. He continues his photography in his free time, which means capturing the beauty of Detroit, as he does so well, is a true passion of his.

Marinica’s approach to photography is to focus on what inspires him and only shoot things that make him happy. After hunting down and taking his pictures, he edits them to show various angles, movement and color.

“All the things you see on my Instagram, that’s all me,” he says. “Most of my photos are actually 3-10 photos merged together to show people a different perspective.”

 

An Artist’s-Eye View

When Marinica is out shooting in the city, inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes all it takes is a little perspective.

Detroit’s colors, architecture and skyline have always drawn him in, but Marinica didn’t really start photographing the city until he travelled off the beaten path.

“Some of my favorite places in the city are places I used to go to before they were renovated,” he said. “I would sneak in, and that’s how I got started with photography.”

Nowadays, Marinica still goes above and beyond for every shot, such as using a drone to capture moments from high above the bustle of the city. His use of aerial photography gives him a bird’s eye view, which comes in handy when your subject is over 700 feet tall.

Towering Above the Rest

Marinica’s favorite part about the city is its diverse photo opportunities, making the GMRENCEN the perfect place for him to shoot.

“I have so many photos of the GMRENCEN. It’s the tallest piece of the Detroit skyline, and that just stands out to me,” he says. “It’s so beautiful with different lights.”

Hues of gold and pink can really change the effect of the photograph, transforming it into something completely new. We look forward to seeing the towers lit up with Marinica’s expert touch.

So when you’re in the city in the next two weeks, take a moment to hunt down a few of Marinica’s shots. Get inspired as he takes over the GMRENCEN Instagram account, and travel with him as he finds beauty all around the city.

After all, whether you’re living here, working here or just stopping by, Detroit has so much to offer you.

Chris Marinica lives in Livonia. Follow him on Instagram or work with him through his Falcon Film Studios profile.

There’s nothing quite like the hustle and bustle of city life.

While big cities may have their charm, Detroit has something others simply do not. Just take it from Mike Boening.

As a Detroit-based street photographer, Boening knows this better than most. He takes pride in shooting the real Detroit and sharing it with his audience.

Follow him on one of his street tours of Detroit as he takes over the GMRENCEN Instagram account over the next two weeks.

City Streets

Boening finds inspiration all around him on the streets of Detroit. His focus as a photographer has always been on observing people and how they interact.

“My photography style is all about movement within big cities,” he says. “After all, city life is busy and offers much to see. Urban landscapes, especially in Detroit, have buildings, history, people and movement within them. I just love capturing all of it.”

Through his street and urban photography, he simply captures everyday moments, such as commuting to work or running to catch a flight.

Worldly Shots

Boening’s work in the mitten has led him to work with the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and the Pure Michigan campaign, where his shots graced calendars and billboards throughout Michigan.

Though his camera is often pointed at Detroit, he sometimes shifts its focus to other large cities around the world.

“I travel to all parts of the country for work,” says Boening, who leads urban photography street tours to share his love of the art by teaching others.

But no matter where he lands, Boening says Detroit always stands out to him because he appreciates witnessing the diverse development of the city.

Building History

“I love seeing the changes and capturing history being built, and that history is here.”

Boening remembers the construction of the GMRENCEN and feels lucky to have the opportunity to see the beginning of a true Detroit destination.

“Detroit has changed so much from where it was to where it is now and the GMRENCEN is a big part of that transformation. To me, there’s nothing more iconic.”

For Boening, history and inspiration are just down the street.

Mike Boening lives in Clinton Township. Follow him on Instagram or visit his online portfolio to see and shop more of his work.

Happy Spring, Detroit! A photographer’s playground, spring time in Detroit is full of areas to capture the beauty of the city and Riverfront.

Talented, local photographers share some of their favorite shots of the city as the weather begins to warm up and Detroit’s beauty is in full bloom!

“In Bloom” by Detroit photographer Jason Clemens. Follow him on Instagram @Share_Detroit. Check out our featured blog post highlighting his work here.

“The GMRENCEN, framed” by Detroit photographer Suzann Braun. Follow her on Instagram @suzannisuzanni. Check out our featured blog post highlighting her work here.

“Spring time on the Riverwalk” by James Gonyea.

“In Bloom” by Detroit photographer Jason Clemens. Follow him on Instagram @Share_Detroit. Check out our featured blog post highlighting his work here.

“From Belle Isle on a Spring Afternoon” by James Gonyea.

“Princess Sunset” by Jason Clemens. Follow him on Instagram @Share_Detroit. Check out our featured blog post highlighting his work here.

“Sherbet Sunset” by Ray Akey.

“Peeking Through” by Lou Peeples. Follow him on Instagram @loupeeples_photography. Check out our featured blog post highlighting his work here.

“Detroit Silhouette” by Wade Bryant.

Evans Tasiopoulos has been recognized for his art in several countries, but the majority of his work focuses on his hometown: Detroit. In fact, you might have seen his photography before. His work can be seen throughout the city, from outside the Tangent Gallery to inside the GMRENCEN after he won our Your Photo Here Contest, where local photographers submitted their best shots of the GMRENCEN for the chance to have the photo featured inside the building.

As a Detroit artist, Tasiopoulos aims to capture the city’s true colors. His style stands out because he shows how the city looks through his eyes.

In March 2019, he took over the GMRENCEN Instagram account and showcased Detroit through his lens.

Detroit is his home.

Tasiopoulos was born in Detroit. Though he spent summers with his family in Kalamata, Greece, he appreciates the city as his true home. His work reflects both geographies, placing a heavy emphasis on the Detroit’s local hot spots and breathtaking scenery.

He tries to work spontaneously, often taking walks downtown to search for the perfect shot, which he says can be found anytime, anywhere.

He’s always been artistic.

Growing up, Tasiopoulos was always passionate about art. Whether he was coloring, drawing or painting, he demonstrated intrinsic talent for a variety of artistic styles.

“Seven or eight years ago, I decided I wanted to pick up a camera and see what I could create with it,” he said. Now, he doesn’t leave home without it.

He’s a photography wizard.

After years of mastering different techniques, Tasiopoulos has become quite the expert.

“I love surreal-looking photographs,” he said. “I do a lot of long exposure in my work.”

Long exposure consists of a camera’s shutter staying open to take in as much light as possible. The effect is almost magical, incorporating movement into the photograph.

“Getting the right shot could take a couple seconds, or it could take a couple hours,” Tasiopoulos said. “I do whatever I have to do to capture the perfect moment.”

 

He captures life.

Tasiopoulos enjoys experimenting with light, color, shape and movement. His work reflects both living and non-living, but he aims to show life in each photograph he takes.

“I love the mix of both architecture and nature,” he said. “We have a lot of nature in the city, and I like to showcase that alongside the historical buildings.” He makes sure to include this balance in all his shots of Detroit.

Detroit influences his art.

From the towering GMRENCEN and bustling city streets, to the changing seasons and peaceful moments on the Riverfront, Detroit is constantly inspiring Tasiopoulos.

He names Belle Isle and the GMRENCEN as some of his favorite places to shoot in the city.

“Growing up, the GMRENCEN was the symbol of Detroit,” Tasiopoulos said. “You can see it from just about anywhere.”

He is helping local artists.

Starting out, Tasiopoulos was overlooked at art galleries because he was not yet a known artist. Luckily for him, he was able to get his work out into the world through local coffee shops and small music festivals.

Tasiopoulos’ passion for the city’s art scene moved him to create the Mati Group, a nonprofit organization that hosts two to three art shows each year at the Tangent Gallery in Detroit.

He wants to show you what Detroit means to him.

“My vision for my GMRENCEN Instagram takeover is to show Detroit from my perspective,” Tasiopoulos said in 2019. “I grew up in a time where people overlooked the city, but for me it was always full of beauty and full of life.”

Evans Tasiopoulos lives in Grosse Pointe Farms. Follow him on Instagram or visit his online portfolio to see and shop more of his work.

An iconic Detroit landmark, the Detroit People Mover connects 13 stations and serves as a popular mode of transportation for Detroit residents, visitors and sports fans across the city.

The 2.94-mile loop takes approximately 12-15 minutes per rotation and only costs $0.75 a ride—it’s a perfect way to get to and from the GMRENCEN.

In 1966, the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) wanted to develop cheaper public transportation systems across the U.S. However, only two cities saw this project come into full fruition—Miami and Detroit.

Unfortunately, the project failed in 1975 and the UMTA settled for a smaller solution which lead to the construction of the Detroit People Mover, which began in 1983.

In 1985, The Detroit Transportation Corporation (DTC) was established to complete and manage the Detroit People Mover.

The Detroit People Mover finally opened to the public on July 31, 1987, costing $0.50 a ride. The price changed to $0.75 in 2011.

In 2008, the trains were switched to run clockwise to prevent the trains from traveling uphill, ultimately allowing it to run faster at a full speed of 56 mph.

With more than two million passengers every year, the Detroit People Mover truly is an iconic Detroit landmark. 

The 14 stations of the People Mover include:

• Times Square
• Grand Circus Park
• Broadway
• Cadillac Center
• Greektown
• Bricktown
• Renaissance Center
• Millender Center
• Financial District
• Joe Louis Arena
• Cobo Center
• Fort/Cass
• Michigan Avenue

GMRENCEN Station Fast Facts:

• In 2014 the GMRENCEN was the second most heavily trafficked stop for the People Mover, coming in at 487,758 passengers.
• The GMRENCEN station features art, funded by GM and created by two artists by the name of George Woodman and a Michigan artist by the name of Marshall Fredricks.
• The tile mural, Path Games, is a replacement for the first tile mural created by Woodman, Voyagers Come to Detroit when the Renaissance Center station underwent some construction changes.
• The tile work by Woodman contains 2,625 pieces and features Detroit’s historic Pewabic.

Check out our Food Under Five blog post featuring quick bites near each stop of the Detroit People Mover.

Looking for help with parking and transportation at the GMRENCEN? Check out our guide here.

Suzann Braun has become quite recognizable in Detroit, but not in the conventional way. Braun’s photography is what has earned her so much praise and attention. In 2017, the photographer was one of ten winners in the GMRENCEN’s Your Photo Here Contest, earning her name and photograph a spot in the iconic Detroit building.

Though Braun has been featured by GMRENCEN social media before, she will take over the GMRENCEN Instagram account this month, beginning Feb. 10 through Feb. 23.

Despite the frigid temperature, Braun is determined to showcase Detroit as a winter wonderland, braving the freezing cold in the name of art.

What can followers expect from your GMRENCEN Instagram takeover?

I hope to show people how incredible Detroit is in the winter. Nobody looks forward to the cold or the snow, but this winter has been my motivation. I want to showcase what changes in the city when it snows. Be prepared for nature, architecture, people and so much more.

Why did you choose to shoot Detroit in the winter?

So many people visit downtown when it’s warm. I feel that because of this, people may be missing out on the city in winter, which is just as beautiful. I love photographing all of the seasons. In Detroit, places like the marina, the skyline and the RiverFront all look a little bit different throughout the year. I want to capture that contrast and share it with others.

How do you capture authentic images?

It requires a lot of patience to get the right shot. I take my time and shoot a variety of angles for each shot, hoping to capture the perfect scene. Though I used to strictly photograph nature and architecture, I started including some people in my work as well. It’s all about documenting our environment in the moment.

How do you approach photographing the Renaissance Center?

I’ve worked downtown since 1997, but it’s a completely different city now. I had never thought to take pictures of it until 2006. Now I like to walk about and see what inspires me to snap a photograph. The Renaissance Center is such a recognizable part of Detroit. I’m happy to show it off and hopefully inform others that there are so many nice things and so many beautiful places in this city.

You capture images from all around the world. Why Detroit?

Detroit is a good place to be in the spotlight. With a mix of old and new, artistic edge and grit, Detroit is a place to see. When I started working downtown, the city was full of abandoned buildings.  Over the years, it’s been great to see these old buildings with all their history being rehabbed and given new life. I’m so happy to be able to document the changes and be among the unique dynamic of Detroit.

What are some of your favorite places in the city?

I have lots of favorite places in the city. The RiverFront, Dequindre Cut and Eastern Market are all places I enjoy visiting and capturing. I love to walk or drive around the city and see all of Detroit’s magic.

It’s all Detroit, and I’m proud to be a Detroiter.

Suzann Braun lives in Warren. Follow her on Instagram or visit her online SmugMug gallery for more photos of Detroit and her travels.