Form submitted successfully, thank you.

Error submitting form, please try again.

Hirsch Studio bio picture

Welcome to my Beach Journal!

Growing up in Michigan City, Indiana, at the base of Lake Michigan, left me no stranger to the beach. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of times spent on my Grandpa and Grandma’s boat, running in the nearby Dunes or playing in the sand.

   That’s why over two decades ago I began including the carefree life of sand and sunshine in my portraits. I love to see the families I photograph just hanging out on the shore, interacting and being comfortable with each other. And, with its large beach area and plenty of paths meandering through dune grass, nearby Lake Michigan is still my favorite beach for portraits. 

   With my childhood home also nestled in the heart of Indiana’s farming country, this beach bum is a bit of a country boy too. My Mom always enjoyed flower gardens and landscaping, and I spent many an afternoon helping her in our yard.  In fact, my first garden portraits were taken there when I began Hirsch Studio in my parents’ basement in 1982. That was the inspiration for Hirsch Gardens, an ongoing project started 12 years ago, where I enjoy using the beauty of nature in my own backyard as a backdrop for timeless and cherished garden portraits.

   My wife of 22 years, Linda, and I together with our three children enjoy our vacations in Florida each year. Indiana has its fair share of winter, and since three out of four portraits I take is outdoors, I saw an opportunity to branch out and begin taking more portraits in the Estero, Florida area. The warm and sunny beaches there are ideal settings to photograph new clients or old friends from the North on vacation. One of my favorite spots is quiet Barefoot Beach in Bonita Springs, Florida - a beach just voted one of the Top 10 Beaches.

   At Hirsch Studio, we’ve built our business on down-to-earth values that make sense to us – old-fashioned ideas such as integrity, honesty and courtesy. We want the process of capturing the memories of a lifetime to be an enjoyable one from start to finish. From deciding on your clothes and location, to an enjoyable and relaxing portrait session, to assisting you as you select your favorite portraits, Linda and I look forward to giving you the professional yet personal service you deserve.   

More information on Ft Myers and Sanibel

Here is a great link to a website and lots of good info on them.
As you know Sanibel is one of the best places in the world to do some shelling!
It also has some of the best beaches on the Gulf Coast!

FortMyers-Sanibel.com, the Official Travel Planning Website for the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, Florida

Sanibel Family Beach Photography

Carmody Beach Portraits

What a difference a day makes!!!
This is one of the rare times when we needed to have a re-shoot. It is very rare!!

The wind was blowing so hard the first night we were not able to do the image that Teresa wanted to use.
We were on my favorite florida beach, barefoot beach in Bonita Springs Florida.
Also the sunset image is a wonderful portrait of the family just enjoying the sunset.
I also like the photograph of the kids holding hands, it really shows their size relationship!!
It really was a pleasure working with the Carmody Family and I hope they enjoy their family portraits for many many years.

Sunset Beach Photograph

Great Expressions

Barefoot Beach

The Sanibel Island com


www.TheSanibelIsland.com

I found this great website that has lots of information on anything Sanibel Island! Check it out!

Hirsch Garden Portraits

Well this is winter in Northern Indiana!
I thought you might like to see some images of the Hirsch Studio
garden in the winter time. They look a little differnt then my normal summer portraits!
After a snow like this, the garden looks magical. After a few days of melting then everything just
looks plain dirty!
The cottage looks like a scene out of a Thomas Kinkade painting. (That is were I have gotten alot of my ideas)

English Cottage used for Garden Portraits

It sure looks lonely in the winter!

Abandoned chair!

Claire’s Volleyball

Claire’s tournament was today! She did a great job! Good luck in your next games and tournaments! Gabrielle Claeys is the libero and is doing a wonderful job!

Protected: Claire

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:


Michigan City Wolves jv basketball

The wolves lost a heartbreaker to the
Lake Central Indians 37-34 their record is 11-5. They play south bend Washington tomorrow!

Technology is sure great!!

Now I can write on my blog anywhere I’m at!
On the beach or in the garden or who knows where!

My wife and daughter are making pb&j sandwiches for the MC Basketball team!

When It Comes to Outlet Mall Miromar All the Way by Andre Hansen

This is one of my wife Linda’s favorite places to shop! It just opened a Under Armour store!

If ever you’re really passionate of outlet shopping and reside near or have visited Estero, Florida, it would be slow to believe that you don’t have an idea about the Miromar Outlet Mall. More often than not Miromar has gotten much great critical reviews and if you would have read the online critiques that it had, you’d for certain want to go too. To boot, with over one hundred and forty designer brand name outlets to pick from, you’d surely go mad over that. The selections are so many, from brand name sales outlets like Nike, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger and a lot more. Miromar is a great spot for the family to use their time with everyone but naturally, it is a nice place for the fashion-savvy.

When it follows to an outlet mall Miromar comes into mind for any individual who lives in Estero, Florida or just about any supporter of this mall. With an extensive parking place to oblige all clients, you wouldn’t have to get disappointed getting a spot particularly at peak-season shopping. Additionally, if your vehicle is running low on gasoline, no need to go out from the mall to gas up as the mall has an on-the-spot gas station. Whenever you go to the mall, to make you feel more laid-back, comfy and welcomed, the mall has a spectacular Mediterranean theme and the place is swarming with outstanding water fountains and landscape gardening. The mall has handicap ramps everyplace so individuals with impairments can have greater access to the mall. Furthermore, complimentary strollers are supplied to help both the disabled and the elderly. The mall also has an expansive covered play space where you can leave your kid to play and mingle with others. When it comes to food, Miromar is no idler, with a variety of restaurants to select from, so no one will get hungry or exhausted from eating at the same restaurant time and again. If you choose sightseeing, this mall can also assist you with that as the eatery square is situated on a lakeside.

With all these, it’s no wonder that when it comes to outlet mall Miromar is the number one alternative by numerous. Merging luxury shopping and fine dining to family bonding and sight seeing

Five Great Florida Trip Spots by Rich Gonzalez

Here is a great article on Florida’s 5 Great Spots!  Check out #2This image was made at Laudermilk Park Naples Florida

I have lived in Florida for 10 years; and although I have seen a lot, the day of coming into contact with everything that this place has to offer is far from a reality. I have compiled 5 places that are perfect for families, friends or with that special someone.

There are a wide range of places to go in Florida. This peninsula that stretches out from the Continental US is both a water paradise as well as a retreat for those seeking refuge from snow laced winters. Whether you visit the world’s famous mouse or drink from the Fountain of Youth, Florida is home to some of the most desirable locations anywhere in the world. Below is a list of just some of the many places worth visiting.

5. Walt Disney World. I have always been fascinated with this place. Its sheer size is enough to warrant its own water supply. More and more parks are popping up all over the area known as Kissimmee, but some still remain the same. The Magic Kingdom still has some of the original rides that they had when the park first opened. If the magical feel of the parks are enough to make your heart sing – take a look at your children when they come in contact with any number of the characters that roam around the parks. This is the number one place for a family vacation in Florida.

4. St. Augustine. This might not seem like too much of a touristy place – and maybe that’s why it’s a perfect retreat. Not only is it the oldest city in America, St. Augustine has some really beautiful beaches and a nice board walk feel that runs along the Gulf Coast. Restaurants and small little shops line up the streets enticing you to come on and just relax. The Fountain of Youth National Archeological Park has a replica of the Fountain of Youth. It’s not “the” Fountain, but it’s a nice replica that was built back in 1904 to commemorate the spot where Juan Ponce de Leon was traditionally said to have landed.

3. Key West. Just looking at the commercials and there really is nothing more that needs to be said! The Island lifestyle is soaked in the culture of the Conch Republic. Whether you’re trolling for sailfish or enjoying the live street shows at Mallory Square, Key West allows you to absorb the Caribbean influences. Other famous spots in Key West include Sloppy Joes, which makes reference to one of many famous residents, Ernest Hemmingway, and Hog’s Breath; along with local favorites such as the Schooner Wharf Bar where local bands come and entertain the patrons. At night, you can actually see the lights of Havana, Cuba glowing in the distance – about 90 miles in the distance.

2. Naples. Located about 125 miles from Miami is Naples Florida and one of the best places to escape the mainstream influx that typically flock to the east coast of Florida. A nice relaxing day at the beach where the warm jets of the Gulf Coast make the water as enticing as a warm bath.. The pace of life here isn’t as fast and bustling as say Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, but what it lacks in nightlife appeal, it more then makes up for in providing a hang-over prescription to the typically crowded clubs on the east coast. If you’re looking for a nice romantic getaway that offers good restaurants and an over abundance of nice hotels offering packages to pamper you, Naples is hard to beat.

1. Miami. Just the sound of the word conjures up images of neon lights and never ending parties. Spring breakers have made this their destination for some time, and although it has lost a little of that appeal (most spring breakers typically escape to other destinations), it still holds on to the distinction of knowing how to cut loose. With the shores of the Atlantic Ocean acting as the back drop, Miami has continued to attract the most beautiful people in the world. Having had just hosted the Super Bowl, the city of Miami thrives on its cultural influences and flavors.

Florida seems to be a great destination regardless of the reason for taking a vacation. Many more places in this wonderful state has hidden gems just waiting to be explored.

Check out the list of Florida hotels here and have a wonderful vacation in Florida.