I love shooting in Detroit. It is a wealth of texture – and not all of it grungy, although I’m a sucker for a good spraypainted wall or broken window. Sometimes Detroit gives you a stately stone and brick building, covered in a patina of moss.

I love to shoot headshot sessions for acting students in and around the school, simply because the place is so evocative – comfortable and full of memories. Just about any location can work for portraiture, but a great location happens when you love where you’re at.
I love how relaxed she is in this image! These were taken outside the Wayne State theatre scene/costume shop. Anyone who’s been in the theatre department has spent some time here, fabricating scenery, fitting costumes, and selecting props.  I love love love Samantha’s eyes, and I wanted to highlight them against the glass fronted building and afternoon sunshine.
This was one of the most beautiful fall days, and it brought out a little Detroit-style excitement. We took a short break during the shoot to speak with the resident of a nearby building who was having plumbing issues in her apartment while trying to prepare for a dinner party.

And in other news, there’s a new e-mail address for the studio. Send your questions and requests to veronica@veronicamachak.com!

This session with Amanda unfolded like the best kind of shoot – we had an idea of what we wanted to do, and then – BAM! – there was a pink trailer. Well, who wouldn’t seize upon an opportunity such as this?

I mean, pink trailers are so hot right now. (Actually, this one was FREEZING COLD and she was a total trooper leaning on it like that!). Amanda is looking to get back into theater locally, and this shoot was originally intended to be a headshot session…but then there was a little bit of hanging out at the park, enjoying the tail-end of summer.I feel a twinge of jealousy when I look at her fabulous red hair.  I haven’t even attempted such a thing since early college – unless you get it just right, red CURLY hair sends a significantly different message, you know?So pretty.
At this point, the sun was just about down, and we still had one wardrobe change left.  There was no way we were skipping the little black dress, so Amanda jumped up on the tracks and made it work… in seconds!

If you want to see the entire shoot, check out the slideshow below.

I love the graffiti on this wall. There’s a shop/gallery inside, and this is their storefront.

He’s such a sport! “Hey stand in this basement stairwell. You can do, that right?” Just kidding! The stairs were under this cool fire escape:

He’s got such a friendly smile. I love it!

I love this image, too. Thanks for the fun shoot, Brian – break a leg!

More images can be found on Brian’s flickr set.

Natalie is heading to Chicago this fall to persue her acting career. I am thrilled to see more Wayne Stater graduates going into the world to seek their fortunes! I suspect she’s going to make quite an impression in the Chicago theater community.

Those eyes. Wow.

Sometimes you find a chair next to a field and an abandoned building. Perhaps the chair wasn’t abandoned, though. There was an urban farm being assembled nearby. It’s really cool to see folks talking back the empty lots.

Can you believe this crazy tree is only feet from the expressway? It’s a little piece of beauty in a lot of concrete blah!

Yep. Still on the exit ramp.

Thanks, Natalie, for hanging out in the alley, standing on weird porches, and climbing trees in the name of headshots!

There are even a few bonus images on flickr. Enjoy!

Wayne State campus is a strange place, when it comes to architecture. There doesn’t seem to be a unifying theme to it, other than a bent toward more modern, boxy structures.  There is an abundance of pattern, which is really neat.

And occasionally, you find a fun little urban anachronism.

There’s a fountain and reflecting pool with huge porous boulders in it that hasn’t been filled yet for the season, so we jumped in for a few shots.

And who can resist a little sun flare/heroic angle?

Fortunately, the librarians never told us to keep it down while we were goofing off in the corner of the fourth floor.

Thanks, Brandon, for a lovely shoot, and congratulations on your (impending) graduation!

I am a theater-lover. Having spent three years in an acting program and working for eight years as a stage manager, I would say that my love runs pretty deep.  I love the way that stage lights look on (digital) film, and I have to say that if you have the opportunity to rent dramatic lights for your wedding or event, do it!

I am always available to shoot publicity and record shots for local theaters. My services are free for non-profit groups and schools and a inexpensive for everyone else, so feel free to contact me about your show!

These photos are from Wayne State Studio Theater’s production of A Bad Year For Tomatoes, which just closed. My sister, Tracy, designed and built the costumes, and I think she did an awesome job! If you were in the show, drop me a line and I’ll get you a copy of the pictures.

You can view the entire set here.