About the Photographer
The Beginning
For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to nature and wildlife. As a kid, I would spend hours watching documentaries about animals and the natural world. As I got older, my time and attention became focused on other priorities — music, sports, education, ministry, and raising a family.
My journey began in 2019 during a family trip to Yellowstone National Park. Armed with an iPhone and a pair of binoculars, I found myself trying to photograph wildlife from a distance. When we returned home, my dad — who had already been exploring photography himself — offered to help me get my first camera and a few lenses. Around that same time, our fourth child was born, giving me plenty of opportunities to learn and practice.
The Turning Point
During the COVID years, I spent time outdoors exploring places like Chiwaukee Prairie and learning how to use my camera. What started as a hobby quickly became a passion. The more time I spent outside, the more I found myself captivated by the beauty that had been surrounding me all along.
Born and raised in Kenosha, I have memories of the lakefront and fishing off the north pier with my dad. Yet it wasn't until I began photographing it that I truly realized how extraordinary it is. The changing seasons, dramatic storms, peaceful sunrises, migrating wildlife, and endless variety of light make Kenosha a hidden treasure — overlooked by many but unforgettable to those who experience it.
The Kenosha Collection is my attempt to share that treasure with others.
Why I Shoot
Whether I'm standing on an icy pier before sunrise, waiting for the northern lights to appear over Bong Recreation Area, or capturing a familiar landmark in a new way, my goal is simple: to help people see Kenosha with fresh eyes and to appreciate the incredible beauty that exists right here in our own backyard.
Photography is also one of the ways I experience God's presence most deeply. As a Worship Pastor, music has been both my calling and profession for many years. But some of my most meaningful moments of worship happen outdoors — watching the first light break over the lake, standing beneath a sky full of stars, or witnessing the power of a winter storm. Those moments remind me of the power and creativity of the One who created it all.
"We live in a world filled with screens, schedules, and distractions. Through my work, I hope to bring a little of the wonder and awe of nature back into everyday life." Mike Middleton
Whether you're a lifelong Kenoshan or someone discovering this area for the first time, I hope these images inspire you to slow down, look closer, and appreciate the beauty that has been there all along. Because sometimes the most extraordinary places are the ones we've been looking at our whole lives.