I am a semi-retired commercial photographer, cinematographer and sound engineer.
When I turned 65 I decided to explore the world of fine art photography. This was something I never took time to learn. So for the last four years I have been learning the art and science of photomacrography. Specializing in flowers. and how to best light, shoot and sometimes, digitally paint them.
WHY FLOWERS?
Shooting flowers has forced me to slow down. I was always so busy with my business that I never took the time to really look at the incredible detail of these tiny creations. This website is a display of that discovery.
I wanted others to see the amazing detail of God’s handiwork. I want to share the beauty of the colors, textures and patterns of the flowers I find. Every time I walk into a garden and start shooting, I lose track of time, I forget to eat and I always get home late.
While I am shooting, I often share the images in my viewfinder with the people around me in the park. They are constantly asking me for my web address, So do my friends.
I finally decided to create this website to display my current images, give my background, show the history of both the people I have photographed and the companies I’ve worked for. All in all, It has been a very colorful journey.
MY BACKGROUND
I have worked for over 300 companies the last 50 years. I learned photography at the Chicago Tribune where I worked for over 13 years. Shooting editorial, advertising, portrait, fashion and event assignments. In 1980 I started my own business, Mike Lake Production Services. I added video and sound engineering to the photography work.
2021 is a milestone for me. It marks my 50th year in photography, 55th year in sound engineering, 45th year in cinematography.
I have been blessed to be put in so many situations where I had the opportunity to work with lots of interesting people and some very diverse clients. (See both lists below.)
I have plenty of interesting stories, but it may cost you a lunch. Thanks for viewing. Mike
INTERESTING PEOPLE
Here’s a list of people I have: Photographed (P), Filmed (F), Recorded (A) or worked with (WW)
Presidents: Jimmy Carter (P) Gerald Ford (P) Richard Nixon (P) Pope John Paul II (P) Dali Lama (A) Mayors: Daley, Sr. & Jr. (P-A) Jayne Byrne (P-A) Michael Bilandic (P) Harold Washington (P) Governors: Jim Thompson (P) Dan Walker (P) Rod Blagojevich (WW) Sam Skinner (A) Colin Powell (A) Elizabeth Dole (P) Jesse Jackson (A) Bill Donaldson (P) W. Clement Stone (P) Fred Friendly (A) Dr. Joyce Brothers (P) Dr. Jonas Salk (P) Al Pacino (F-A) Liv Ullman (P) Kim Hunter (P-WW) Rich Little (P) Phyllis Diller (P) Burgess Meredith (P) Kurt Russell (P-WW) Lisa Hartman Black (P) Andrew McCarthy (P) Jim Belushi (WW) George Hamilton (P) Jan Michael Vincent (P) Henry Mancini (WW) Sir Georg Solti (P) Henry Mazer (WW) Dale Clevenger (P-WW) The Lettermen (P) Melissa Manchester (P) Barbara & Louise Mandrell (P) George Benson (P) Dave Brubeck (P&A) Kenny Loggins (A) Corky Siegel (A) Mary Wilson (P) Jesse Owens (P&WW) Mike Ditka (P) Dick Butkus (P) Jim Covert (P) Ara Parseghian (F) Dan Hampton (P) Bob Thomas (P-WW) Walter Peyton (WW) Mike Singletary (P) Dennis McKinnon (P) Gordie Howe (A) Michael Jordan (P) Magic Johnson (A) Ron Santo (P-F-A) Mr. Universe (P) Werner Erhard (P-A) Ruth Page (P) Gene Siskel (P-F-A) Mike Royko (P) Bill Kurtis (A ) Pam Zekman (P-WW) David Axelrod (WW) Bruce Vilanch (WW) Phil Donahue (P) Bob Greene (P) Famous Amos (P) Andrew Greeley (PA) Burr Tillstrom (P) Aaron Freeman (WW) Ronald McDonald (P) Bozo (P)
There are more, but this is all I can remember. If you are unfamiliar with any of these people or companies? Google them.
CLIENT HISTORY
FINANCIAL / LEGAL
New York Stock Exchange • Merrill Lynch • Citi-Corp Bank • 1st National • Household • Marquette Banks • 1st Nationwide • 1st Eagle Banks • American Express • Chase Manhattan • Fannie Mae • Accenture • Allstate • Discover Card • U.S. Life • Kemper Ins. • Kirkland and Ellis • American Bar Assoc.• Illinois Supreme Court
SERVICES
AT&T • Ameritech • U.S. Cellular • Microsoft • Midas Muffler • Hairline Creations • Fed Ex • Com Ed • Ni- Gas • State of Illinois • Cities of Palm Beach • Las Vegas • United • American • Braniff Airlines • Eagle Air • C&NW • AC Neilson • Metra Railways • Home Builders Association of Chicago. • Re-Max Real Estate • Century 21
ENTERTAINMENT
Lucasfilm Ltd. • Miramax Films • Phonogram Mercury Records • Chicago Symphony Orchestra • Chicago Bulls • Bears • Blackhawks • Chicago White Sox • Cubs • Great America • Tower Show • Cineplex Odeon Theatres • Gold Coast Fashion Show • Barrington Children’s Choir • Spirit Of Life Choir
MANUFACTURING
IBM • Motorola • Dow Corning • Amoco • Sony • Hewlett-Packard • Inland Steel • U.S. Steel • Boise Cascade • Komori N. America • International • Bridgestone / Firestone • Ingersoll/Rand • Illinois Tool Works • Whirlpool • Ontario Paper Company • Culligan Water • Wilsonart • Honeywell • NA Propane • Tsubaki • Synergy • Vtech • United Development • Ellegant Packaging • Semblex • Daimler Chrysler • GM Cadillac Division • Komatsu • Square “D” • Ansul Fire Protection • Rustoleum • Molex • Signode • Blistex • Omron • Marc Controls • Anitek • Tetra Rex • Toyoda • GATX Railcar • Hub Group • Wellmark • Eltosch • Carver Boats • Navistar • Landis & Gyr • Peterson Electro Musical Products • Paratech • Northrop Grumman Defense Systems
MEDICAL /EDUCATIONAL
Northwestern Memorial • Children’s Memorial • Rush / Presb. St. Luke’s • Central DuPage • Lutheran General • Good Shepherd • Trinity Hospital • Sherman Hospital • LaGrange Hospital • Advocate Children’s Hospital • Christ Medical Center • Rush / Copley Medical Center • Alexian Brothers Health Sysm.• Ventana • Bucom • Allegaince Health Care • Evanston Hospital • HFMA • Danada Health Sysm. • ADA • Abbott • Philipps • Pfizer • Griffith • Miles • U.S. Labs • Baxter Labs • Hollister Medical • Vicron Optical • Parkside MRI • U of I • DeVry • De Paul Universities • IGSMA • Kane County Forest Preserve • Chamberlain • Kendall • Keller School of Business • NLU • Georgia Tech • Fabyan Estate • Hooked on Phonics • TEDx • Museum of Science & Industry • DuPage Historical Society • Cantigni War Memorial • Morton Arboritum • Tree HAB • Bureau of International Expositions
RETAIL /FOOD
Neiman Marcus • Lord & Taylor • I Magnin • Marshall Fields • J.C.Pennys • Gucci • Frederick & Nelson • Crescent • Bruners • Halleys • Eddie Bauer • Carsons • Capper & Capper • Target • Spiegel • Sears • Saks • Ben Franklin • 5-7-9 Shops • Venture • Lane Bryant • Crayola Kids • Walgreens • Marshalls • K-Mart • True Value Hardware • Host Marriott • Fannie May Candies • Kronos • Jewel • Dominicks • Certified • Dole Fruit • Pepsi • Keebler • Royal Crown Cola • Kraft • Florsheim Shoes • Kelloggs • Kimberly Clark • ConAgra Foods • Tyson Foods • Quaker Oats • Frito-Lay • McDonalds • Stanford/Sharpie • United Dairy Industries Assoc.
CHARITABLE
American Red Cross • Crusade of Mercy • American Cancer Society • Driscoll High • Maranatha • Safer Foundation • Catholic Charities • Joliet Dioceses • Mary Bartelme Homes • St. Mary’s • Vineyard Church • Ronald McDonald House • Off the Street Club • Awana • St. Patrick Residence
MEDIA
CBS • ABC • NBC • WGN • WFMT • KWGN • NBA TV • MSNBC • PBS • Fox News • WGN Cable • BBDO • Chicago Tribune • Chicago Sun-Times • New York Daily News • Peninsula Times Tribune • Orlando Sentinel Star
PUBLICATIONS
I have shot over 100 national magazine covers for: Instrumentalist • Clavier • Flute Talk • Dynamic Years
My ads appeared in People • Psychology Today • Parents • Weight Watchers • American Health •
I have received many awards for magazine cover design, photos, film and videos (Ask)