Mike Talladen - Light Writer

There is always room to grow.⠀ _____⠀ ⠀ The topic of cold camping, desert exploring, and expanding self-growth keeps coming up lately, and there is no better combination of all three of those than this years @yeahfieldtrip in Marfa, TX. I had a blast camping in the frigid cold nights, wandering around in the beating sun, expanding my mind, and discovering questions I needed to learn how to ask in order to allow my work evolve. ⠀ _____⠀ ⠀ The days and nights spent at @elcosmico were super fun. I often find some of my favorite images are the ones where I go off course with just a few other Trippers, hardly knowing one another, but coming out of the experience with new friendships and the result of collaboration, "what if's," and the curiosity of recording light in different ways. ⠀ _____⠀ ⠀ So many fond memories spent in the whirlwind of desert magic here, and I'm looking forward to next year's Field Trip on Orcas Island in Washington! ⠀ _____⠀ ⠀ I took this image, and so many others, alongside @joshkatz and @laurasponagle after randomly asking both of them; "Y'all want to go over there and photograph trailers instead?"
Summer Solstice celebration with local art, beer, and food!⠀ _____⠀ ⠀ Come out to Miskatonic Brewing Company to celebrate the first official day of Summer! We're kicking things off at 5pm in the barrel room with lots of wonderful local artists selling their crafts. Alayas Empanadas food truck will be serving up dinner to devour alongside a delicious selection of beers from the depths of Miskatonic's Brew Hall. ⠀ _____⠀ ⠀ All sales - art and beer - help benefit an array of causes and organizations near and far. Unsure what to get someone for Fathers Day? How about an "I owe you" card with a trip to Miskatonic? Treat them - and/or yourself - to the wide variety of choices bound to make this night one to remember!⠀ _____⠀ ⠀ I'll be selling prints at my booth alongside many other talented folks who can't wait to share their labors of love with you! Proceeds from my print sales will be donated to conservation efforts in Sumatra Indonesia as well as a future documentary project I'm working on slated to start in '21. Looking forward to seeing you there!⠀ _____⠀ ⠀ @miskatonicbrewing 5-10pm
What does the future look like for generations to come?⠀ _____⠀ ⠀ Will children still be able to grow up in the wilds of the Amazon rivers 20 years from now, or will history continue to repeat itself with corrupt governments and greedy corporate entities burning and ripping apart the Earth until the last of it's resources are gone, leaving behind a world unrecognizable compared to what we know today? A world uninhabitable for so many animals including we humans?⠀ _____⠀ ⠀ This is one of the many questions spinning through my mind on a daily basis. With so many waves of depressing headlines hitting us without a chance to catch our breath before the next, it's easy to feel defeated, hopeless, and for many, it is easy to turn a blind eye. One of the biggest problems with climate crisis is so many humans live peacefully under the guise of "out of sight, out of mind." If it's not affecting us now, why should we care? ⠀ _____⠀ ⠀ All the work that we do, all the labor and blood, sweat, and tears we put into our lives and the lives of our offspring - what will it all be for if we have no where to live and thrive? So many people already struggle day to day, hoping they can put food on the table, keep a roof over their head, find clean water, medical aid, etc. ⠀ _____⠀ ⠀ As more and more natural land is destroyed for temporary profit, we come closer to losing our collective futures. By no means am I suggesting we all stop working on and towards all the things we hold dear to us, but we need to do so in a sustainable and thoughtful manner. ⠀ _____⠀ ⠀ It was such an honor to share the images and stories I captured in the rainforests of the Amazon and Sumatra with everyone a few nights ago at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Stories not only of my own, but of the animals (yes, that means us, too) who live in and depend on those rainforests. Thank you again to everyone who came out to lend me their eyes and ears. We are all in this together.⠀ _____⠀ ⠀ "Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden
Adenocarcinoma with lymphatic invasion.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Otherwise known as Canine Clitoral Carcinoma. Lab results came back from the tumor mass removed from Riley's vulva last week, and as much as I tried to mentally prepare, I could only brace myself so far. There is never an easy way to find out your best friend's days are numbered.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ We're all going to die. We all live on borrowed time, and it is so easy to take that time for granted. It's easy to let the short time we have on this plane flutter by without a second thought, and far too often far too many of us only really take a step back to slow down and truly appreciate that time when we learn the clock is ticking.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ There are so many places I wish I could have taken @rilestherunt over all these years, but I take pride knowing I've still given her the best life I could. The adventures we have shared and have yet to share have truly been some of the best I've had, and I don't know many dogs that have had the pleasure of experiencing as much as she has. I'm hopeful Riley is able to hang on for a little while longer, happily and healthy. I hope she can ride North later this summer to hike and swim in my families old stomping grounds, but after an estimated 2-6 months left, it's hard to know.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ I am taking a step back from work moving forward in order to give her as much attention as I can, maybe squeezing in a few mini adventures here and there over the next few months. I will not be taking on anymore bookings until further notice. These past few weeks going back and forth from the vet has unfortunately put me way behind on editing. I am so grateful for the opportunities I've had over the years to travel around this country as much as I have, and Riley's life has been full and rich as a result. This is largely thanks to all my amazing clients near and far.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Riley always has been, and continues to be, the goodest girl I know. She has been my constant companion, my rock, my wandering fool. I love you, Riles, more than I thought I was capable of loving until you came along. ⠀⠀
Western skies always win in my book.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ I took this not far from my campsite at Rocky Mountain National Park in early May '19. Theres something about the skies out west that always gets me. Especially after heavy rain or snows dissipate, leaving clusters of dramatic cloud formations behind as the storms temper calms.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Waking up before dawn and skipping breakfast to scout potential vantage points for scenes like this are always worth the grogginess and grumbling tummy.
Sunday June 23rd Fundraiser Event! ⠀⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ Come out to Brewpoint Coffee Workshop & Roastery at 617 N. York Rd. in Elmhurst, IL to enjoy a cup of delicious coffee and help raise funds for rainforest and wildlife conservation efforts in Sumatra Indonesia.⠀⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ "Shadows of the Oil Palm: Sumatra and the Money Tree" is a photographic presentation offering an in-depth look at the environmental devastation caused by palm oil production in Sumatra, and the grass roots conservation efforts fighting for a healthier and sustainable future for the land, people, and wildlife of one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.⠀⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ EVENT TIMES⠀⠀⠀ Event space doors open at 3:00pm with the presentation beginning at 3:30pm and will end around 4:30pm, followed by a brief Q&A. ⠀⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ Click the link in my bio and head to the Info / Events section to RSVP and purchase your tickets. Space is limited! All proceeds will be donated to the Orangutan Information Centre in Sumatra.
Coffee + Conservation: Fundraiser Event!⠀⠀ ____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Come out to Brewpoint Coffee Workshop & Roastery on June 23rd for a visual journey of the rainforests and wildlife of Sumatra, Indonesia! Space is limited so get your tickets now! Click the link in bio for info and tickets!⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ "Shadows of the Oil Palm: Sumatra and the Money Tree" is a photographic presentation offering an in-depth look at palm oil production in Sumatra, and the grass roots conservation efforts fighting for a healthier and sustainable future for the land, people, and wildlife of one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. ⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Pictured above is a scene not uncommon throughout the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Trucks filled to the brim with West African Oil Palm fruit. So much of the landscape has been transformed into the monoculture of the palm oil industry. People are losing their land, animals are losing their homes and their lives.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ 100% of proceeds will be donated towards the Orangutan Information Centre in Sumatra, to help them tackle conservation efforts so desperately needed in Sumatra.
Welcome to the family, Rhodie!⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Managed to squeeze in a WALK session this past weekend with some friends I haven't seen in over a year. It's crazy how time flies. Last time I was at their house I was heading home after an injury while exploring ice falls in the UP. At that time, Violet (left) was the only doggo in the family. Rhodie joined the pack late 2018 and I'm glad I finally got to meet him!⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ @youwannagoforawalk is a project I started last year to celebrate the life and love of your dogs. All my portrait sessions, including WALK sessions, are currently on sale with limited availability between July 8th and October 30th. 50% of proceeds from my portrait sessions are currently going towards surgery costs for my doggo @rilestherunt. 5% of proceeds will be donated to the Chicago dog rescue One Tail at a Time.⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀
Great Sand Dunes National Park⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ My last day at the park was spent exploring places off the beaten path, chasing the sun, examining drift wood, watching the dunes dwarf all those who slowly ascended their peaks, and greeting the local deer during their evening meal before returning to Piñon Flats campground to cook myself some much needed nourishment. ⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ I chose to photograph this piece of bark as a way to represent the land itself. It was a fun way to show how different the earth was here, in such a small - yet vast - area. The variety of environments at this park captivated me more than any other place I've been in the states. ⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ What's your favorite national park so far?
Garfield Park Conservatory Presentation SOLD OUT!⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ I'm honestly in shock right now. All 100 seats for my upcoming show at the @gpconservatory have been RSVP'd already. This is a free event, and some seats might open up. If you're interested in attending, click the link in my bio and visit the Events section for information and ticket registration to join the wait list!⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ This presentation is brand new, and somewhat of an introduction to my lecture on palm oil in Sumatra, which I'll be sharing again on June 23rd. So if you've already seen "Shadows of the Oil Palm: Sumatra and the Money Tree," this will be a new experience, and again - it's free!⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ "Chasing Dreams: A Journey from Chicago to the Rainforests" is a photographic presentation that welcomes you to explore the rainforests and wildlife of the rainforests of Peruvian Amazon and mountains of Sumatra inch-by-verdant-inch. Come out for an in-depth look at eco-tourism, conservation vs palm oil, permaculture, wildlife rescue, and all of the ways our daily lives can (and do!) impact places and things halfway across the world.⠀⠀
Flash sale on prints and portrait sessions!⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ My little Riley turns 13 next month. She's in need of some pretty invasive surgical procedures after discovering a large tumor in her vulva that's been causing mild bleeding, and another potentially benign one on her bottom jaw. I'll be taking her into the vet this coming week and hoping beyond hope all goes well.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ To prepare myself for the incoming financial stress, I'm offering sales on all my portrait sessions and prints. Prices have never been this low before, so get it while the gettin's good! Portrait sessions are based on availability. Click the link in bio for info and inquiries.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Prints will be even cheaper (while supplies last) at the upcoming Summer Art Bazaar at @miskatonicbrewing Friday June 21st 5-10pm, so come say hi to both Riley and I at my booth to browse my collection and the work of a ton of other wonderful local artists while enjoying some delicious beer and food truck empanadas on the first official day of Summer! Click the link in bio and check out the Events page for details.
Joshua Tree National Park⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Lots of cool things are lining up lately in contrast to a streak of major bummer things. I'll chalk it up to nature trying to balance things out in my life. I've been waiting for an opportunity to step out of the triptych theme I've been playing with over the last year, biding my time by posting less. It was a fun way to play around with how I both approach and share my work, while also giving me space to focus a bit less on social media, and more on other avenues. I did, however, miss sharing a lot of other stand-alone material, including the other types of work I do, as I'm not exclusively a landscape or wildlife photographer. ⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Joshua Tree National Park has been on my mind over recent months. I didn't get to explore it nearly as much as I have other parks, and spending time in various desert regions this year has sparked a bit of, dare I say it, hiraeth for Joshua Tree. ⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Coming back to the whole balance of things lining up lately, I just saw a photo contest for @joshuatreenps so it felt right to bring this image back for a chance to have this photo used on the 2020 annual park pass! ⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ I'm unsure what part of the park this was taken at. We were driving out to head home, the skies were grey and flat, and all hope for a sunset had dissipated. But just as the sun started to dip beneath the horizon, the clouds made way for a river of color to engulf the sky. We stopped on the side of the road and watched the night take over. It was the coolest park departure I've experienced to date. ⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Prints available in the Shop via link in bio.
Wednesday June 12 Free Event!⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Come out to the Garfield Park Conservatory 6-7:30pm for a visual journey through the rainforests and wildlife of the Peruvian Amazon and mountains of Sumatra inch-by-verdant-inch.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ "Chasing Dreams: A Journey from Chicago to the Rainforests" takes an in-depth look at eco-tourism, conservation vs palm oil, permaculture, wildlife rescue, and all of the ways our daily lives can (and do!) impact places and things halfway across the world.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ I've wanted to share my work at the Garfield Park Conservatory ever since I began my career in photography 13 years ago. So excited to have been invited by GPC to do just that! I'll be sharing a brand new presentation, so if you've already seen my lecture on palm oil in Sumatra, this is a whole new experience.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ This event is free and open to the public. Looking forward to seeing you there! Click the link in my bio and head to the Info / Events section to RSVP.
Friday June 21st local art show!⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ART BAZAAR⠀⠀ Come out to @miskatonicbrewing 5-10pm to kick off the first official day of Summer in the barrel room with art, beer, and food! This event will host a myriad of talented, local artists ready to delight you with their creations and help you shop for loved ones and yourself to further brighten your lives with the coming summer sun. I'll have an assortment of prints, greeting cards, postcards, and more available for sale with a portion of my proceeds being donated to the Orangutan Information Centre in Sumatra as well as a documentary video project I'm funding for early 2021.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ FOOD⠀⠀ Ayalas Empanads will be serving their delicious nom-noms from 5:30-8:30pm. ⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ MUSIC⠀⠀ Mark Alexander from Three Piece and a Biscuit will be performing solo accoustic covers and originals from 7-9 in the Barrel Room.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Miskatonic Brewing Co. is family friendly, including your furry companions! We just ask that you keep your doggos, cats, reptiles, and modern dinosaurs on a leash and pick up after them outside. Hope you can make it to this fun-filled event!
Sunday June 23rd Fundraiser Event! ⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Come out to Brewpoint Coffee Workshop & Roastery at 617 N. York Rd. in Elmhurst, IL to enjoy a cup of delicious coffee and help raise funds for rainforest and wildlife conservation efforts in Sumatra Indonesia.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ "Shadows of the Oil Palm: Sumatra and the Money Tree" is a photographic presentation offering an in-depth look at the environmental devastation caused by palm oil production in Sumatra, and the grass roots conservation efforts fighting for a healthier and sustainable future for the land, people, and wildlife of one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ EVENT TIMES⠀⠀ Event space doors open at 3:00pm with the presentation beginning at 3:30pm and will end around 4:30pm, followed by a brief Q&A. ⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Click the link in my bio and head to the Info / Events section to RSVP and purchase your tickets. Space is limited! All proceeds will be donated to the Orangutan Information Centre in Sumatra.
Great Sand Dunes National Park⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ This was by far the most surreal landscape I've had the pleasure of exploring. I've seen photos of this place before, and for a long time I thought the images I was viewing were taken on some other continent. But a few hours south from the Denver airport and it feels like you're on another world.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ It is impossible to feel just how big this place is unless you climb those dunes with your own two feet. I set up camp and hiked down the desert trail to the edge of the stream. Numbingly cold water from the melting snow caps of the mountains nearby created a shallow mote around the dunes; from here on I was going barefoot. I couldn't feel my feet for a good twenty minutes after crossing the ever-changing stream of winters end. Camera in hand, I followed the light up and down dunes of all sizes. ⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ I had zero intention of climbing to the top, but at some point that internal voice whispered to me as I stared at the top of the peaks. "Just effing do it, it's right there, how hard can it be?" After making it to the top, running back and forth to get in a good position when the clouds allowed the sun to spill over certain areas, my legs began to tremble on the way down. At one point I thought I was going to collapse. The views are absolutely worth the struggle.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Great Sand Dunes National Park is by far my favorite park thus far, and I have difficulty imagining another will top it. With such an awesome variety of terrain in such close proximity, it's hard not to fall in love. It was the first place I'd been where I really felt like I got a sense of how massive this country is.
Great Sand Dunes National Park⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ This was by far the most surreal landscape I've had the pleasure of exploring. I've seen photos of this place before, and for a long time I thought the images I was viewing were taken on some other continent. But a few hours south from the Denver airport and it feels like you're on another world.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ It is impossible to feel just how big this place is unless you climb those dunes with your own two feet. I set up camp and hiked down the desert trail to the edge of the stream. Numbingly cold water from the melting snow caps of the mountains nearby created a shallow mote around the dunes; from here on I was going barefoot. I couldn't feel my feet for a good twenty minutes after crossing the ever-changing stream of winters end. Camera in hand, I followed the light up and down dunes of all sizes. ⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ I had zero intention of climbing to the top, but at some point that internal voice whispered to me as I stared at the top of the peaks. "Just effing do it, it's right there, how hard can it be?" After making it to the top, running back and forth to get in a good position when the clouds allowed the sun to spill over certain areas, my legs began to tremble on the way down. At one point I thought I was going to collapse. The views are absolutely worth the struggle.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Great Sand Dunes National Park is by far my favorite park thus far, and I have difficulty imagining another will top it. With such an awesome variety of terrain in such close proximity, it's hard not to fall in love. It was the first place I'd been where I really felt like I got a sense of how massive this country is.
Great Sand Dunes National Park⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ This was by far the most surreal landscape I've had the pleasure of exploring. I've seen photos of this place before, and for a long time I thought the images I was viewing were taken on some other continent. But a few hours south from the Denver airport and it feels like you're on another world.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ It is impossible to feel just how big this place is unless you climb those dunes with your own two feet. I set up camp and hiked down the desert trail to the edge of the stream. Numbingly cold water from the melting snow caps of the mountains nearby created a shallow mote around the dunes; from here on I was going barefoot. I couldn't feel my feet for a good twenty minutes after crossing the ever-changing stream of winters end. Camera in hand, I followed the light up and down dunes of all sizes. ⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ I had zero intention of climbing to the top, but at some point that internal voice whispered to me as I stared at the top of the peaks. "Just effing do it, it's right there, how hard can it be?" After making it to the top, running back and forth to get in a good position when the clouds allowed the sun to spill over certain areas, my legs began to tremble on the way down. At one point I thought I was going to collapse. The views are absolutely worth the struggle.⠀⠀ _____⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Great Sand Dunes National Park is by far my favorite park thus far, and I have difficulty imagining another will top it. With such an awesome variety of terrain in such close proximity, it's hard not to fall in love. It was the first place I'd been where I really felt like I got a sense of how massive this country is.