Terminal Coding Competition – Event Photography – Ann Arbor, MI

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.

 

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

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!

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

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!

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Phil Bahr Compass Luncheon Event Photography – Livonia, Michigan

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.

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Wasser Christmas Party

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 Wassers

The Elves

The Elves

Party Food

Party Food

Champagne

Champagne

The Crooner

The Crooner

Party Time

Party Time

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Clarendon Day Electric Racing Kart Demo – Arlington, VA

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.

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Alan & Alana’s 25th Anniversary Party – Alexandria, Virginia

Alan & Alana’s 25th wedding anniversary party was a great time with friends and family at the Lorien Hotel in Alexandria, VA. We enjoyed capturing memories of the games, mingling, and dinner. They even had someone who played bagpipes at the event. Congratulations on 25 years of marriage, Alan & Alana! Here’s to many more!

The happy couple on their 25th anniversary.

The beautiful table layout.

Where the celebration was held.

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