GLB What Great Lakes have you boated on? What is your home lake?

ML Having been born and raised in Michigan/metro Detroit, I grew up boating on Lake St. Clair, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and northern Lake Michigan. For the last 16 years living in Chicago, my home lake has been Lake Michigan, which I am out on quite literally as much as I possibly can be during the spring, summer, and fall. 

GLB What kind of boat do you have? 

ML I have a 2016 Sea Ray 330 Sundancer and as a photographer she is appropriately named Port Folio.

GLB How long have you been capturing the Great Lakes through photography?

ML I’ve been photographing the Great Lakes since the very first time I picked up a camera 25 plus years ago, it truly make the best photography backdrop. Professionally, I’ve been shooting the Great Lakes for over eight years. 

GLB What are some specific things you look for when photographing the Great Lakes? 

ML With the Great Lakes being arguably the greatest possible backdrop for a photographer, a few of my favorite things to shoot are the ever changing colors of the sunsets, the incredible harbors, and the vast array of different landscapes that the Great Lakes provide photographers and boaters alike.

GLB What kind of impact has boating had on your life? 

ML I’ve always told friends who are interested in boating that once you go “all in” on it, it truly becomes part of your DNA. My boat is my happy place, my therapy, and I’m incredibly proud to say being a boater helps to define who I am. 

GLB What is one of your favorite boating memories?

ML If I can choose two I would say first, the infinite amazing memories of growing up learning the “ins and outs” of boating with my father on Lake St. Clair. Second, taking several five plus day, 300 plus nautical mile trips, from Chicago across Lake Michigan to explore the amazing ports-of-call up and down West Michigan’s Harbor Country.

Be sure to follow Mike on Instagram @mike.hifivephoto