Today I discovered Le Petit Zinc, a hidden restaurant in Detroit thanks to my good friend Tony. This now makes for two restaurants that I have discovered in Detroit this month.

I called Tony up for lunch after I was done with a photo assignment Sunday afternoon & we settled on meeting at Mudgie’s (recent favorite). I was looking forward to a great turkey sandwich, root beer & chips. Actually, I had been thinking about eating there for the past few days so I really needed to satisfy my appetite.

All of my food lusting came to a screeching halt when I pulled up to Mudgie’s & noticed that they were closed on Sunday’s. Why didn’t I call first?

With disappointment totally set in, Tony asked where to next & I said to somewhere where grease wasn’t on the menu. Tony then suggested going to Le Petit Zinc. I was like what? What’s that?

As it turns out, Le Petit Zinc is one of many new creperies popping up around Detroit & it was literally around the corner from Mudgie’s.

We enter the small & cozy dining area & I was struck by the lively & VERY French décor. The bright yellow walls, aroma of brewing coffee & scent of warm bread comforted me.

The menu was offerings were simply stated & reasonably priced making me want to try it all!

I ordered the “Jambon et Fromage” (ham & brie), which came with a small green salad flavored with a light but tasty oil & vinegar dressing. The crepe was filing & hit the right spot! The cost of $6.25 made it even better.

Good fresh non-greasy food @ reasonable prices is a major plus!

While I‘m totally digging Le Petit Zinc, Good Girls Go to Paris Crepes is my unmovable favorite creperie in Detroit.

I wonder what I will stumble upon next!?!?

Side Notes:
- I LOVE roosters. They are so cool
- I have always wanted to paint my kitchen yellow
- I ate my 1st crepe 8 years ago
- Tony knows where everything is

Melinda Anderson is not only a hot event designer & planner but a good friend & awesome client!

When I work for Melinda, I know what she expects in terms of quality. Her expactations become my goal to over deliver while knocking her socks off with awesome interior & party goer shots from her widely talked about events.

This Saturday, I will be under Melinda’s wing again photographing her “Back to the 80’s” party being held at the Detroit Yacht Club. I know this event like her others will not be one to miss!

Unfortunately for me, all of my 80’s outfit options were exhausted we attempting to find vintage wear. So now I’m forced to work & party 80’s style dressed as Teddy Ruxpin. Great! If I lose my nerves, I just bleach then slash some jeans & rock a mohawk.

If you’re in the city or nearby, you should be there!

Over the past several years, I have photographed models, friends, family, musicians, strangers & politicians etc. Ironically, when I started out in photography, my interest did not include portraiture. In fact, I said that I would rather shoot place & things rather than deal with people. As you can see, over time, I became infatuated with creating images that helped tell a human narrative.

With that said, I’d like to present you with 25 of my favorite portraits from 2009.

The range is wide, the subjects are diverse, the focus is popping.

Please enjoy!
Tafari

You can view this larger here.

If you’re in or around Detroit, consider stopping my the Tweet Up. A guaranteed good time!

Yesterday I was hanging with my friend Shades taking some photos & talking shit like normal. Before I got ready to go, he was surprised with these wonderful red balloons by his boo.

When I saw the balloons, I got all excited & we had a little red balloon photo session. Later, I revealed my secret red balloon fantasy, which I cannot share here in this public forum. Just let your imagination run wild.

I want my boo to surprise me with some red balloons. Some really big red balloons!

I was recently contacted by my friend, author & fellow blogger Richard Graves aKa DJ Black Adam about his upcoming book titled “Unbelieving Believers” in regards to his need for cover art.

After intense negotiations, the rest is history.

Above is the cover art for his release featuring my photo “Like A Prayer.” Funny how my photo title & his book wound up together. I found it to be a fitting choice based on the subject matter of his book.

You can find “Unbelieving Believers” here in paperback & digital download versions.

If you are looking for stock art, check out my stock work available via Getty Images or contact me for details.

Headed out to DC to hang out with my best friend Brion (BFB) & partake in some of Howard University’s homecoming activities. I think I’m too old for this but I was guaranteed a good time anyway.

When we were younger, BFB would always talk about how hype Howard’s homecoming was & it sounded exciting. When he was done with school, he would still go back & party & I never understood why. I guess this weekend, I’ll find out for myself.

On this trip, I’m also looking forward to meeting up with some of my Flickr/Twitter/blogging friends. As you know, I love meeting my online friends. Everyone that I’ve meet thus far has been totally cool. I guess I only associate with the non-creepy online people.

The very extended weekend trip will be wrapping with an engagement photo shoot with one of my new wedding couples. I’m really looking forward to that!

I’ve been a member of the photo & video sharing site Flickr for the past 2+ years. Actually, my 2 year anniversary was July 27th but I’m not really counting.

When I initially signed up, I did so reluctantly because my photography tutor & BFF Cousin Dee signed up. I’m sure of you ask her about me signing up, she’ll tell you a story that’s a little different than mine & embarrassing on my end. Anyway, shortly after joining the site, I noticed the benefits to being a member, such as the creative groups, knowledge sharing, camera gossip/rumors & artistic inspiration.

When I look at the photos that I originally posted, I can see obvious & strong growth both technically & artistically. Much of my growth can be attributed to participating in many of the Flickr groups where I drew inspiration & tons of trial & error.

When I was still trying to grasp concepts, I found myself reaching out to other photographers for advice & help on how to become better. I was always met with friendliness & got the answers that I sought.

So today, things are quite different for me on Flickr; the mentee & admirer has become the mentor & admired (I’m still learning everyday while being an admirer, so don’t get me wrong). And I have formed so many friendships with great photogs from here, there & everywhere.

<Radom Paragraph> Most recently, many of my creative images have been attracting attention and sales through the Getty Images Flickr Collection & I’m so very excited about this. I think I would freak out if I see one of my images used in a campaign. </Radom Paragraph>

I’m also receiving messages from those who follow my work, asking for camera & lens suggestions, asking how I set up shots, my creative process & notes of praise. I make it a point to respond to everyone a) because I love to talk (about myself) b) I love exchanging knowledge & c) I like making a difference.

Here are few notes that I received from other Flickr photographers regarding my work.

“I found your photos while browsing through the Nikon 105mm 2.8 macro lens group and I’ve been in awe ever since ;-) I was hoping to get discouraged from wanting that lens but something quite opposite happened……..

Your photos clearly stood out in that group pool so I started looking at your photostream too. Your work is beautiful, I have no words. Very inspirational for a newbie like myself.

Thank you for the experience.”

SunflowerSister

—

“I am in total awe of your work ! What a gifted photographer you are!

Amazing creativity & wonder! You have lifted Flickr high above other photo sites..in my opinion.

Thank you for sharing of your talent”

ildiko1pa

—

“Your photography is awesome! I’m sure you hear that a lot, but I had to say it. Every time I look at your photostream I am inspired.

Best to you & yours,”

Springtree Road

Last week, I visited the locally celebrated Eve restaurant who was serving up some delicious Cuban themed culinary delights as a preview to Eve Aronoff’s anticipated Frita Batido restaurant.

If you’re a “Top Chef” fan, you may remember Eve as one of the earlier contestants.

While at the restaurant, I helped out my boy Antonio “Shades” Agee display his art work (actually I was a lame helper, but help nonetheless.) & I wound up getting addicted to Mexican Coke, thanks to Eve who told me were the local supply could be found.

And so that you know, I’m not talking about the Coke you snort. I’m talking about that delicious dark caramel carbonated beverage that we all love to mix with spiced rum.

For those of you who are not in the know, the difference between Mexican & US Coke versions is that Mexican Coke is sweetener & way more delicious! Mexican Coke is made with pure cane sugar, while US Coke is made with high fructose corn syrup. US Coke bottlers switched to HFCS in 1985 as a cost saving measure because cane sugar was more expensive.

When I got home, later in the evening, I Googled Mexican Coke & was surprised to find so many articles related to it & how it’s something that people actually look for because it’s so much better than the US version.

I really tripped out when I found articles that told of US Coke bottlers trying to stop the import of Mexican Coke. Ultimately, they were unsuccessful.

Mexican Coke basically, can be found in most Mexican markets or other small world markets that cater to immigrant folk like ZZ’s market in Ann Arbor, MI.

If you get the chance to try Mexican Coke, you will taste the difference immediately! It’s so sweet & delicious & surprisingly even good without spiced rum.

As a side note, Suite Suzy noticed that the Kroger grocery store now has Mexican Coke for $1.79 a bottle. Hmmmm, I think I will just get it at ZZ’s when I need it. I like supporting the independent markets vs. corps whenever possible.

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Update:
Today, I got a call to tune into NPR & to listen to a discussion on the article recently published in the New York Times on this interesting debate. It’s so crazy to see that I’m ttally not alone in my love for Mexican Coke. And yes, I’m now one of 11,000+ fans on Facebook.

This wonderful little box was given to me by my friend Elizabeth Kincaid-White; designer/artist and owner of Tribute Box Collection.

I met Elizabeth a little over 2 years ago when I was photographing her custom designed cigar box handbags. She has such a wonderful spirit & glowing personality that we hit it off immediately.

After seeing the handbags, I had to have something for myself, in non-handbag form of course.

Because of life & busy schedules, Elizabeth & I were operating on different plains in the same circle & were not able to link up like we hoped. Ironically, we ran into one another twice on the same day at two different events & she was like “don’t go anywhere, I have your box.”

She told me that she kept it in her car just in case she ran into me out and about. That goes to show you that we are both busy on the grind, trying to make things happen.

Each of Elizabeth’s tribute boxes are lined & may have one or more surprises on the inside, such as a mirror, or a cool photo of a Negro from a time unknown. Her handbags are usually adorned with bead-patterned handles and they often feature a beautiful appliqué of some sort.

I’m very fortunate to be connected to some of the best artists in the Detroit area.

Thx Elizabeth boo, I love my box!!!