Tag Archives: Detroit Photography

Falling in Love with the Detroit Riverfront

The dog days of summer have officially ended and now it’s time for fall in the Motor City. The change in weather doesn’t have to stop your fun-filled adventures. We created a guide to help you enjoy the new season on the Detroit Riverfront.

Fall for the Riverfront View:

Whether you’re running joyfully into the change of season or taking a slow stroll into fall, the Detroit Riverfront views are ready for you to explore. Take a walk along the Dequindre Cut Greenway paths, enjoy Belle Isle’s nature trails or take the family on an adventure down the Detroit Riverwalk, the #1 Riverwalk in the USA, to Robert C. Valade Park for fun-filled playgrounds.

If you want to cover a lot of area, you can always park at the GMRENCEN and grab a MOGO bike to breeze around the city with ease.

Fall Food and Cocktails:

The change of season means delicious seasonal cocktails and food. Whether this is your first time or your hundredth time tasting one of the three award-winning restaurants at the GMRENCEN, their new menu items and autumnal views are the perfect addition to any trip to the Riverfront.

Andiamo offers an extensive selection of seasonal Italian dishes and an incredible assortment of wine. Joe Muer Seafood serves the freshest seasonal catch and impeccable service with its riverfront view. Enjoy Highlands Detroit with its crisp 71st-floor view of the Detroit Riverfront, accompanied by an upscale menu of diverse dishes and innovative cocktails at High Bar.

Fall Fun on the Riverfront:

The Detroit Riverfront and nearby areas/neighborhoods are full of fun events year-round, but autumn offers magic for people of all ages. Eastern Market is a Detroit staple with four primary markets on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday filled with fall food, products and experiences. If you’re looking for a way to get some fresh air with your furry friend, join the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy guided Pack Walk along the Detroit Riverfront.

The Downtown Detroit Partnership brings nostalgic fall fun with their Cider in the City events during October at Beacon Park. Enjoy crafts, pumpkin picking, hayrides and, of course, donuts and cider!

It’s time to start falling in love with the new season in Detroit. Let us know how you celebrate autumn in the city on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

How to Spend July on the Detroit Riverfront

Summer is the perfect time to get outside and explore the beautiful Detroit Riverfront! To skip the hassle and focus on the fun, we’ve curated the perfect guide to highlight the hottest happenings in July.

Where to Eat

The breathtaking views and delicious cuisine from one of the three award-winning restaurants at the GMRENCEN is the perfect addition to any trip to the Riverfront. Andiamo offers an extensive selection of Italian dishes and an incredible assortment of wine, and Highlands Detroit provides stunning views of the Detroit Riverfront from the 71st floor, accompanied by an upscale menu of diverse dishes and innovative cocktails at High Bar. If you’re facing a serious seafood craving, head to the #1 Seafood Restaurant in Michigan, Joe Muer Seafood, for the freshest catch and even better views of the river.

What to do on the Riverfront with Kids

Enjoy Reading and Rhythm on the Riverfront with celebrity guest readings, interactive family entertainment, a healthy snack and a free book to take home provided by General Motors. This event occurs every week on Thursday and Friday until Aug 12, 2022.

What to do on the Riverfront to Stay Active

If you want to stay active this summer, the Detroit Riverfront has multiple opportunities to get moving while enjoying a scenic view.

Expand your knowledge of Detroit while getting your steps in by signing up for the Dequindre Cut Walking Tours with the City Institute. Stroll along the Dequindre Cut as you learn about the greenway’s past and present.

After your walking tour, relax with Yoga on the Riverfront. Enjoy a free yoga class while looking at the stunning view of the Detroit River. Yoga is held Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. and Friday at 10 a.m. in Milliken State Park.

What to do on the Riverfront to Experience Local Artists

Did you know you can bike from the Detroit Riverfront straight into the heart of Eastern Market by cruising down the Dequindre Cut?

Eastern Market is a can’t-miss Detroit experience for locals and visitors alike. Enjoy a premium market with fresh produce, florals, local artists, unique cuisine and so much more from a local favorite. Markets are open weekly on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Once you grab yourself lunch from Eastern Market head to the Live Music Summer Series with D. Cipher on the Dequindre Cut to watch metro Detroit’s most talented entertainers. Enjoy this all month long with free weekly performances and a curated lineup.

Where to Park

The GMRENCEN offers a variety of parking options located right on the Riverfront and within walking distance to Detroit’s hottest happenings. Click here to check our parking options and choose what’s best for you and your crew.

If you are heading to a concert in the city, check out the multiple show shuttles Andiamo and Joe Muer Seafood are offering for select shows.

There are no dog days of summer with all the exciting happenings in the Motor City! Let us know how you celebrate summer in the city on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Artist Spotlight: Richard Talamantez

The GMRENCEN is Detroit’s most iconic building. It’s at the forefront of just about every photo representing Detroit. You know what it looks like from the outside, but what about the inside? It’s filled with cars, history and art that make up the Motor City.

If you’ve never been inside the building, or haven’t been in years, local photographer Richard Talamantez invites you inside the GMRENCEN as he takes over the building’s Instagram account from Sunday, March 1 through Saturday, March 14 to show you how much the building has changed and the things that make it so memorable. Sit back and let Richard be your guide to experience the GMRENCEN like never before.

Meet Richard

Four years ago, Richard Talamantez and his wife, Chelsea, had just gotten married and were looking for a new place to call home. The two ultimately decided to settle in Detroit, moving across the country from California.

Now, Talamantez works in downtown Detroit. In his free time, he walks around the city capturing anything that catches his eye.

“I like what’s happening in Detroit,” he says. Despite Talamantez getting his start in photography 10 years ago shooting for the professional world, he has since shifted his focus to the people and places in Detroit. “I just fell in love with the city.”

Step Inside

Because he works downtown, Talamantez takes his camera with him on his walk to and from the parking structure, shooting as he goes. And he’s always been drawn to the GMRENCEN.

“The exterior of the GMRENCEN is very photogenic, but everyone sees the building from the outside,” he says. “To me, the interior is just as striking and there’s a lot of visually interesting things going on in there that I think people should see.”

For Talamantez’s interior takeover, expect to start outside the Jefferson Lobby and travel inside to explore the different sights, shapes, colors and more, all from his perspective.

Artful Architecture

According to Talamantez, he was initially blown away by Detroit, particularly by the vibrant history incorporated into the city’s planning. When comparing the city to his previous hometown in downtown Los Angeles, he felt Detroit has significantly more history in its architecture.

“Every time I go out to shoot with other photographers, everyone sees something completely different from one another, such as settings, tones, etc.,” Talamantez says. “That type of diversity makes the experience even richer.”

As for the GMRENCEN, which stands out far from the rest of the city’s skyline, its bold art and architecture are part of the experience, like the glass Borealis art installation found in the Jefferson Lobby.

Motor City Metal

Because Talamantez’s photography is guided by whatever catches his eye, there are plenty of pit stops during his visits to the GMRENCEN. As a car guy living near the Motor City, he’d be remiss if he didn’t experience GM World.

Keep your seatbelt on and enjoy the ride as Talamantez takes you on a cruise through not one but two GM World displays. While the first is a throwback exhibition showcasing the eight generations of Corvette, the other is every driver’s dream featuring brightly colored sportscars.

Come Full Circle

With Talamantez as a guide, you will see the GMRENCEN from his perspective.

“Everyone photographs the city because it’s pretty,” he adds. “I want to use my photography to be the eyes of someone who’s not from the area.”

In his interior takeover, he’ll show off what happens at the GMRENCEN, helping you navigate through the towering levels and winding walkways that lead to the offices, restaurants and stores.

Dine Detroit

Detroit is known as a dining destination, and the GMRENCEN is no exception. As you discover more about the building, keep an eye out for the unparalleled views of Detroit’s hottest restaurant: Highlands.

Talamantez’s first time at Highlands was for a romantic dinner on Christmas Eve. Ever since that night, he knew he had to return to see more of Detroit’s only sky restaurant with the best views of the city. Now you can explore Highlands with him. After all, food, drinks and the views are just better 71 stories up.

Detroit, Inside and Out

“The GMRENCEN is a guide for the city,” he says. “You know where you’re at in Detroit when you see the top of the GMRENCEN.”

Though it’s undeniable that the GMRENCEN is a forever recognizable piece of the city’s skyline, it’s truly what’s on the inside that counts.

From the glass walls and ceilings that let in natural light, to the concrete pillars that hold up its substantial structure, and the glass atrium that opens to the bustling Riverfront – Talamantez is here to show what the GMRENCEN is really made of.

Richard Talamantez works in Detroit and lives in Trenton. Follow him on Instagram to see more of his work.

Artist Spotlight: Chris Burton

The GMRENCEN is dedicated to the safety of our tenants and visitors. In compliance with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services emergency order, new procedures and precautions are now in place at the GMRENCEN. Learn more about our new guidelines here.

Local photographer Chris Burton has seen Detroit’s true colors. After moving back to the city from a two-year stint in Dallas, he’s returned with a new goal: showcase Detroit as a beautiful space with cool things to see and do.

In October 2019, Chris took over the GMRENCEN Instagram account to show you Detroit from his perspective.

Here is everything you need to know about Chris and his takeover.

He’s rediscovering the city through photography.

It all started when he moved back. Chris picked his camera up after returning to the city because he was overtaken by all the architecture and art in Detroit.

Though he had a positive first impression of the Motor City, he became more familiar with it through his photography. He spent his nights walking around with his camera to capture the sights that caught his eye.

He’s self-taught.

From first picking up a camera in high school to developing music videos to booking his weekends full of wedding and real estate shoots, his photography encompasses a wide-range of purpose and style.

But for Chris, photography was a self-taught skill. Though he’s only been shooting for about two years now, his work has grown tremendously thanks to his late-night walks trying new things and honing his craft.

He sees Detroit in a positive light.

As he travels, Chris enjoys sharing the beauty he experiences with his audience. Detroit is no exception.

“I personally love Detroit, but I think people’s first opinion of Detroit tends to be negative,” said Chris. “I’d love to change that.”

With his audience reaching across the states, he can introduce his followers to a city they have only heard about. Luckily for Detroit, he has plenty of good things to share.

He thinks Detroit is the most exciting city.

Chris’s work will always showcase something new. Whether it’s a bird’s-eye view of the city’s skyline or a snapshot of dinner and drinks at the hottest restaurant in town, he wants to share his experiences with you.

“I think Detroit is the most exciting city,” he said. “It seems every month, something new is opening.”

He loves a place with a view.

As a photographer, Chris loves any place that allows him to experience cool views, and there’s something special about being high above the city. According to Chris, you can get such a different perspective from up high.

“I love the GMRENCEN”, Chris said. “Volt in the Detroit Marriott is one of the coolest, most lowkey places in Detroit. It’s one of the city’s best kept secrets.”

He also enjoys the exclusivity of some of the city’s newer hot spots, such as the Monarch Club, Little Caesars Arena and Highlands Detroit.

He appreciates the details.

Chris’s photography is based off capturing the intricate details of a city that might otherwise go unnoticed. With an appreciation for the history and culture behind the city’s architecture, he wants to make people aware, seeing the same things they’ve seen before but in a new perspective.

“Detroit has some amazing architecture, but often times, people can walk by some of those finer details without even noticing,” he said. “I want to make people see a photograph of something they’ve seen before, but this time realizing just how cool the details behind it are.”

He is inspired.

For Chris, the whole process is inspiring. His journey of exploring different parts of the city always takes him somewhere new, leading him to create art from his camera.

“I’m trying to help people see their own backyard in a different light,” he said. “I’d love for them to see things in a different way and truly appreciate what they’re walking by.”

He believes in working outside of your comfort zone.

“Take something you’re afraid to do and do it,” said Chris. “Be confident in yourself. If you put in the work, there’s a lot more you can accomplish.”

Chris Burton lives in Detroit. Follow him on Instagram or check out his online portfolio to see more of his work.

#GMRENCEN in the Fall

The dog days of summer have officially ended and now it’s time for fall. As the weather cools, the leaves fall and the days shorten, be sure to look around you and enjoy the beautiful colors of a Detroit autumn.

There are many breathtaking photos of the GMRENCEN and fall foliage, but here are some of our favorites.

Photo by Tom Hughes

Photo by Linda Moss

Photo by Jason Clemens

Photo by David Saliba

Photo by Steven Samolinski

Photo by Mark McClelland

Photo by Wade Bryant

Photo by Christopher Hollis

Photo by Suzann Braun

There’s certainly more to come as the colors continue to change around the city! Which of these is your favorite fall photo?

A New Perspective with Detroit Artist James Gates

James Gates is no stranger to Detroit. In fact, he spends most of his time here, capturing familiar sights from different perspectives

He entered the GMRENCEN’s Your Photo Here contest, a contest where local photographers submitted their best shots of the GMRENCEN for the chance to have the photo featured inside the building. It’s where we were first introduced to his work. You can view Gates’ photo on Level 2 in Tower 200. In August 2019, he took over the GMRENCEN Instagram account showcasing Detroit through his lenses.

What motivates you to shoot?

I started photography for the stress relief. I work in IT, and after a particularly grueling day I like to walk around with my camera to clear my head. During the day, people are just going and going constantly. With photography, I can take my time to get the effect I want to get. It requires patience and I like that.

What’s a typical photography outing like?

I always start and end at the GM Wintergarden, right on Atwater. From there I take a long walk along the Riverfront. It’s my favorite place in Detroit. I don’t necessarily know what I’m going to shoot, but I feel more relaxed when I come back.

How long have you been photographing?

I got into photography in the fall of 2014, and 2015 was a learning year, practicing long exposure and other types of shots. It started out inconsistent, but then I got hooked.

What was it like winning the GMRENCEN’s Your Photo Here Contest and being featured in the building?

It’s still such an honor. I had only been into photography for about a year and a half when I took that shot. My friend loved it so much and encouraged me share it. A little while later, the Your Photo Here Contest began, so I submitted my shot. It was a strange coincidence.

That photo is one of the first ones I took, and it’s still there.

What have you learned since then?

I feel it’s important for me to keep up with the times and continue learning new camera settings. I’m just constantly learning from other Detroit photographers.

Always look for a unique angle because you don’t want to be like everybody else.

Do you ever change up your style?

I’m always learning new ways to do things, but I tend to stick to one type at a time. I choose a technique and work on mastering it before jumping to the next thing. Right now, I’m trying to work filters into my photography. I’ll be at that for a while.

What challenges do you face with your photography?

One challenge that affects me is that I’m legally blind. This doesn’t really hinder my work, but it can be frustrating. Sometimes when I’m reviewing my work after a photoshoot, I’ll notice blemishes in my shots that I couldn’t see out in the field. Although this isn’t a huge issue with architectural photography, it would make portrait and other photography more difficult.

What did you want people to take away from your Instagram takeover?

I was born and raised in Detroit, so I have 30 plus years of good memories here, especially of the GMRENCEN. I want people to know I love Detroit and I hope that shows in my photos.

What did you want to convey with your GMRENCEN August takeover?

I wanted to share some of the photos I’ve taken on my walks, with a focus on the GMRENCEN and the Riverfront. It captured the authentic Detroit, complete with Cullen Plaza tulips, Milliken State Park Lighthouse and city sunsets.

James Gates lives in Detroit and is a legally blind photographer. See his work on his Instagram at @james.m.gates or check out his online portfolio at jgatesphotography.com.

Detroit Artist: Jason Clemens

For Detroit photographer Jason Clemens, he just loves to be outside. If he’s got a camera in his hand, that’s a bonus.

Jason has a certain passion for the outdoors, especially for Michigan’s beautiful seasons. He even calls his photography “hunting with a camera” since he’s always searching for the perfect outdoor shot.

Seasons of Change

Jason began seriously taking photos after he was gifted a Canon in 2012. He’s since elevated his hobby to a passion project, capturing everything in nature that he could.

He loves shooting images of birds and animals and exploring the same place in different seasons. The seasons give the same locations a different perspective, he says. Find him out at sunrise or sunset, seeking out what others don’t see in nature.

In Detroit, he especially loves photographing the marina and Detroit River when he’s downtown. The skyline and cityscape has changed so much in recent years, evolving the Detroit Riverfront as it changes, and that’s what he enjoys conveying through his images.

Sharing Detroit

Jason started becoming a Detroit influencer when he created an Instagram account for his photography portfolio. Immediately it was a way to connect with other passionate artists and share what they and experience through their camera.

The hashtag #ShareDetroit is full of Jason’s images, and he regularly interacts with the users of that hashtag. His Instagram handle is also @Share_Detroit.

A Familial Connection

Jason plays catch with his son at Comerica Park.

Jason not only loves pursuing photography because it’s a way to take his mind off his full-time job, but because his father was also an active photographer, and loving telling stories through photos.

“My dad passed away before I turned three years old, but he still managed to instill so much of his personality and passions in me in that short time,” said Jason.

Photography is a beautiful connection between Jason and his dad, and one that is only growing as Jason gets older.

Follow along as Jason shares his favorite Detroit outdoors photos on the GMRENCEN’s Instagram over the next two weeks.

Jason Clemens lives in Farmington Hills. See more of his work on Instagram @Share_Detroit.

Artist Spotlight: MaRia Popi

Where in the world is MaRia Popi?

The answer lies on top of some of Detroit’s most famous skyscrapers.

“I love shooting Detroit from the rooftop of buildings. I have been on the rooftop of every skyscraper in the city. That’s what drives my photography. I’m a sky chaser,” MaRia said.

Starting at the Top

MaRia began shooting the 313 five years ago. Since then she has been to most downtown skyscrapers’ rooftops and inside most of the iconic buildings, however the Penobscot building reigns supreme in her opinion.

“I believe the Penobscot building has one of the best views in the heart of the city. It is surrounded by the beautiful architecture of Detroit and the view is different at night and day. That is what makes it so exciting for me!” said MaRia Popi.

She often returns to her favorite places to highlight the differences in the foreground and background, exploring different seasons and times of day. She knows no sunrise, sunset or cloud pattern is the same. Using long exposure techniques, especially at night, is her favorite style of photography.

In the Motor City

MaRia was born in Bulgaria and moved to Michigan in 2003. She always loved traveling and had a camera in hand while growing up. Her passion for photography and love of architecture and design led her to the Motor City, and now she’s proud to call it home.

“I consider myself an explorer who keeps learning. Art is a big part of my daily life. I grow as an artist while exploring other artists’ work – while using new photography techniques and working with creative people from different backgrounds,” she said.

Some of MaRia’s portrait photography work can be seen inside the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in the “Oh You Fancy!” exhibit currently on display.

Follow along as MaRia shares her love of rooftop photography on the GMRENCEN’s Instagram over the next two weeks. She is also a previous winter of the GMRENCEN’s Your Photo Here Contest, and you can see her art inside the GMRENCEN.

MaRia Popi lives in Livonia. See more of her work on her Instagram @_mariapopi_ or her online portfolio at mariapopi.com.

Artist Spotlight: James Gates

We’ve all been there – when your phone battery dies because you’ve been using it to take photos. That happened to Detroit photographer James Gates so often, that he decided to finally put down his iPhone and pick up a DSLR camera.

Washington, D.C.

James traveled to Washington D.C. in 2014 and brought his new camera along with him. He loved taking photos of the statues, historical buildings and moments that the area had to offer. He showed the trip images to a coworker, who is a professional photographer, after he returned from the trip and the coworker was quite impressed. This coworker recommended James start taking photos professionally, and James took that to heart – he’s loved it ever since.

His Perfect Shot

For the past four years James has spent his free time walking the Detroit Riverfront and downtown metropolis searching for the perfect shot.

He especially loves shooting around sunset, and the time just after sunset, affectionately called “the blue hour.” He loves everything about it – the light, how the city glows, capturing how the clouds streak the sky.

James has also been playing around with long exposures recently, capturing hundreds of photos and merging them into one photo in time. He likes these photos best, and works only a bit on his computer to enhance each photograph afterward.

An Escape

Although James would love to make photography his day to day work, he uses it as an escape more than anything.

“There’s something about exploring the city and always finding something new. It’s so relaxing to me, it’s a great way to decompress and have fun. There’s really nothing like capturing a great shot and seeing things in a way you’ve never seen them before,” James said.

James is also a previous winner of our Your Photo Here Contest, and you can find his artwork on Level 2, Tower 200, inside the GMRENCEN.

Follow the GMRENCEN on Instagram to see James highlight his favorite downtown locations.

James Gates lives in Detroit and is a legally blind photographer. See his work on his Instagram at @james.m.gates or check out his online portfolio at jgatesphotography.com.

Artist Spotlight: Alanna St. Laurent

It’s a bird, it’s a plane…it’s a drone! If you happen to see a drone camera around downtown Detroit, there’s a good chance it belongs to local photographer Alanna St. Laurent.

The Detroit artist is always trying out innovative and new ways to take photographs, and drone photography has recently captured her passion.

Up in the Air

Alanna’s GMRENCEN Instagram takeover will focus on her drone photography, highlighting different parts of the Detroit skyline – a medium she’s started exploring since it was invented. She’s looking for different vantage points to find new detail in her images as her camera hovers hundreds of feet above street level.

She learned the trade from friends, but that’s not to say it’s an easy skill to pick up. Like with anything, there’s a learning curve when it comes to drone photography.

“It’s a whole different playing field up there. You can take pictures straight down from where the drone is, an entire 90 percent angle, or you can focus the camera up 30 degrees for the shot you want. It’s taken a bit of time but I’m enjoying exploring the skyline with the drone. There are so many possibilities with it,” Alanna said.

She particularly loves flying the drones near the tops of tall skyscrapers – especially Detroit towers that were built in the 1920s. With her drone, she can zoom in on technical, architectural and artistic features at the crown of each building – a scene that would be nigh impossible without a drone.

Professional Career

Alanna started taking photography classes when she was an advisor at the College for Creative Studies in 2007 and fell in love with the medium. That passion has never left her, and she regularly explores Detroit, and the country, searching for new ways to “see” a scene, skyline or setting.

She now sells print copies of her photographs on her website and features her images at rotating art fairs in and around Metro Detroit.

Alanna thinks of abandoned buildings as “the Wild West” because no building is ever the same, and she never knows what she’s going to find. She now leads photography workshops in and around Detroit. The forward-thinking photographer’s sessions are designed for newly burgeoning photographers as they learn the trade and focus with architectural and cityscape photography. The workshops also bring local photographers together to capture some of Detroit’s most photographic events.

She’s grown her industry reputation over the years and now is a full-time photographer, and leads her own business, which was always a goal of hers.

Follow Alanna over the next two weeks on our Instagram as she shows us Detroit from the sky.

Alanna St. Laurent lives in Ferndale. Follow her on Instagram at @alannastlaurentphoto or visit her online portfolio at alannastlaurent.com to see Detroit through her lens.

GMRENCEN
400 Renaissance Center, Suite 2500, Detroit, MI 48243
313.567.3126