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.   

Bruce R. Hirsch, Photographic Portrait Artist
Michigan City IN / Estero FL
1-877-576-0909 • (219) 874-7747

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