Instagram story viewer> @mike.makes> Posts

Mike Makes

@mike.makes

5.7K

followers

3986

following

Studio 311 - Rivoli Arts Building | LaX WI | $10 Film Dev
Film & Digital Photographer | Cinematographer
Boudoir | Fashion | Wedding | Portrait | Event

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

sweet escape😇🐛🐞🦋🪱🐝🩵💝 by @mike.makes

152

5

a day ago

A lavender edit for @theelavenderproject

I've been following The Lavender Project since their very first show way back in 2020, and it's finally come full circle as they were able to perform in my studio, Studio 311, in the Rivoli Arts Building.

Thanks to @taiyamodenku for opening and putting on a set I will not forget.

#mikemakes taken in Rivoli Arts Building by @mike.makes

87

5

a day ago

Waiting by the pool with @tiffany.saggio

Disappointed with my apartment building's decision to get rid of the perfectly working pool, I thought a photoshoot was the best way to say goodbye. Bright red in a desaturated destroyed background never disappoints.

Waiting for a pool that will never reopen.

The pool room is now a game room and looks very different.

If you are ever looking to have your photo taken, let me know! I work with everyone. taken in La Crosse, Wisconsin by @mike.makes

216

4

10 days ago

We want to thank everyone who participated, showed up, and supported the Feral Apparel Fashion showa few weeks ago. The photos are being wrapped up right now, designers will get an email with a link to their photos later today.

We will also be posting photos throughout the next few weeks.

But here is a sneak peak.

Stay feral. taken in Pump House Regional Arts Center by @mike.makes

65

2

25 days ago

Color or B&W with @graciehauserr

I do quite a few simple white backdrop shoots. It's a good creative challenge due to its simplicity, as I usually try not to have too many objects accompanying the model. Grace has a dance background, and we incorporated that into the shoot. We shared some inspo back and forth and settled on working around a chair. This vintage chair was down the hall, and due to its age, we made sure not to break it.

Check out the studio sometime - Studio 311 @rivoliartsbuilding

Stats for nerds:
@canonusa R6MII
Canon 28 - 70mm F2.8 L Lens
Canon 70 - 200mm F2.8 L Lens
@aputure.lighting 300D Lights x2
Savage 108 in. white backdrop
Vintage chair
A friend on the side as her hypeman (You can always bring a friend) taken in Rivoli Arts Building by @mike.makes

142

2

a month ago

Classic La Crosse
@lomographyusa Earl Grey 100 B&W 35mm Film
@lomography Petzval 58mm Lens
Lomography Daguerreotype Achromat Lens
Canon Elan IIe Camera

These lenses add so much character. Whether it is soft edges, swirly bokeh, or being able to control the shape of the bokeh, it is truly something else. RIP to the Canon Elan though.

I've started going back through old rolls and its been interesting to see shots I didnt like back then, but that I do now. Some of these shots have been shown before, and some are new, so I thought I would give them some new life. taken in La Crosse, Wisconsin by @mike.makes

165

3

2 months ago

Framing with @_isaste_ ➡️

This shoot was almost a year in the making. Shot last August, right before @_isaste_ moved away, and then I became busy with work and freelance opportunities. This shoot sat on my hard drive. The editing felt daunting, but the vision was there. Then I ran into her a few months ago and knew I had to get this done.

I wanted to play with the idea of frames, being looked at as less than who you are, as an object, or as though you are missing something about yourself. Something about letting this shoot sit for a year, and briefly catching up in a bar a few months ago, in some ways makes this about personal growth.

No AI, just Lightroom and Photoshop

Want to model? Hit me up and let's plan a shoot!

Stats for nerds:
@canonusa R6MII
Canon 24-70mm F2.8 Lens
(f4.5 - ISO 800)
2 @aputure.lighting 300d Lights
3 frames from @goodwillncw
Fishing line to hang the frame taken in Rivoli Arts Building by @mike.makes

268

30

2 months ago

A photo walk from a few weeks ago around La Crosse.
Walking around with the Mamiya Universal Press Camera is a bit annoying due to its size. But I do like the photos that come from it, even if I forget to advance the film from time to time, creating double exposures by accident. One day, I will be more intentional.

The last photo is three frames stitched together digitally to create a panoramic.

Mamiya Universal Press Camera
50mm F6.7 Mamiya Sekor Lens
Kodak Portra 400 120 Film

Another film photo walk will be in the works soon. Stop by the studio sometime and check out some cameras!

#mikemakes taken in La Crosse, Wisconsin by @mike.makes

116

4

3 months ago

@spaceheatersband at the @popcorntavern about 2 weeks ago. Always a killer performance. If you happen to play a horn instrument, they happen to be looking for another member.

This is another test of the Pringles Kaleidoscope camera lens, this time attached to a @lomographyusa Petzval 58mm. You can see the swirl of the lens more in the non-kaleidoscope photos. The wider angle is a Schneider Kreuznach Retina 28mm lens.

I think I have a second build concepted, but what are your thoughts? taken in Popcorn Tavern by @mike.makes

110

6

3 months ago

When you go to Colorado for work and stay in Snowmass but they shut down most of the mountain because it's the end of the season; you make the most of it. I don't even ski, but Skittles - the colorful lift in the first photo, was my best friend.

I brought my Mamiya C330 and shot a roll of @lomography Lomochrome 92 Sunkissed. The sunny days really made this film sing. The dead grass made the gold hues really pop. The temperature ranged from 30 to 70 degrees each day I was there back in April. I am suprised the snow held on that long.

Glad I found the time to shoot a roll of film.

#heylomography #mikemakes Mechanical ski lift at Colorado Snowmass during an above average temperature day. taken in Snowmass Village, Colorado by @mike.makes

107

1

3 months ago

If you see me with a @pringles can, I am probably doing cool shit.

I've seen a lot of kaleidoscope style filters out there, but they don't really do what a kaleidoscope actually does. Recently, I saw someone attach one to their camera (if I find that reel again, I will tag them), and I thought, why not me? Most kaleidoscopes are too small to attach to the front of a lens, so I thought I would build one that I could pair with one of my smaller lenses.

I can do a full build video if people want, otherwise scroll to the end and see the contraption for yourself.

I haven't been to an @theelavenderproject show in a bit and thought this would be a good test for it. The mirrors I used are pretty much plastic, so they warp easily and give more of a fun house mirror effect. Focusing far away causes the edges of the mirrors to blur and creates what you see before you.

Should I build a bigger, better one? What's a food with a bigger tube?

Stats for nerds:
@canon R6MII
@canon RF To EF adapter
@fotodioxpro EF adapter to Kodak Retina Rangefinder Lens
@Pringle Everything Bagel Can
Kodak Schneider Kreuznach 50mm F1.9 Lens (mislabeled on the last photo)

#kaleidoscope #mikemakes taken in Popcorn Tavern by @mike.makes

113

17

4 months ago

Let me introduce myself for all those who are like, “Who even is this guy? What does he even do?”

My real name is Mike Calarco, not Makes, contrary to popular belief, even though I answer to both. I have 15+ years in the creative industry, from newsrooms to corporate offices.

But what do I even do? My area of expertise is digital/film photography and video creation. That’s my lane, and where I experiment most often. Portraits, music videos, weddings, events, and commercials are just a few of the things I do. I take on all roles as needed, like photographer, editor, director, cinematographer, colorist, set designer, film developer, etc. I also enjoy working with other filmmakers and photographers as well, because I am a collaborator, not a competitor.

Combining old processes and technology with new, or being inspired by someone else's creative process, and figuring out how to make it in my own style, is what I am all about. Be inspired, make things, fail, adjust, make more things. That's my ramble.

Stop by the studio sometime, the Rivoli Arts Building, Studio 311, and let's shoot. Check out one of my side projects: @thenegativerescueproject

At the end of the day, I am just here to make.

#mikemakes taken in Rivoli Arts Building by @mike.makes

230

13

4 months ago