Hot Water Beach, New Zealand
The rain steadily pours down outside our cute, cozy, cottage and life is calm, peaceful and smooth. So it seems insane that we’re about to go outside into the downpour, dig a hole and crawl into it.

Helmet cam: I perched my little point-n-shoot atop my riding helmet and rotated it backward to snap shots while Strawberry “furiously charged” ahead.
Black sand beaches. Just the name sounds exotic. I’ve always wanted to see one and visiting the so-hot-it’s-cool Pacific Ring of Fire, I knew I’d have a chance.

My daughter sits atop a small waterfall on geothermal Kerosene Creek outside of Rotorua, New Zealand.
A babbling brook on a hot summer’s day turns out to be a 100 degree geothermal creek.
Mud bubbles up into pools with the smell of either bean & bacon soup or, more succinctly, farts — as my traveling companions report.
These cracks in our perception of the way the earth should be are magical and meaningful.
Welcome to Rotorua.
Close your eyes and imagine sitting by the sea. You’re on a multi-level deck, accessed by a long and winding walkway. Now look out over sea, the clouds have gathered around the already set sun. Ask yourself what would make this scene better, perfect actually.
Why penguins, of course, hundreds of ’em. Close to a thousand.

Taylor poses for Marci outside the Hobbit Motel after a very comfortable night’s stay and well before second breakfast and elevenses.
I’m taking a shower in a Hobbit hole. That’s the lead I came up with as the warm, delicious water washed a day of caves off me. Contenders were The hobbit hole has heated blankets or No wifi in Baggins’ place. The one ring to rule them all is embedded in our bed and I look forward to falling asleep in Middle Earth, or a reasonable facsimile thereof.
Some of my favorite photos from School Life Troy
My year documenting school life in the Troy, Michigan school district has come to a close due to lack of funding. I had a great time sharing their stories and snapping their photos. Here are some of my favorite photos. To see some of my favorite stories from School Life Troy, click here.
(all images are copyrighted by Rodney Curtis)
Some of my favorite stories from School Life Troy
My year documenting school life in the Troy, Michigan school district has come to a close due to lack of funding. I had a great time sharing their stories and snapping their photos. Here are some of my favorite stories. To see some of my favorite photos from School Life Troy, click here.
(all stories and images are copyrighted by Rodney Curtis)
Harry Potter and the Magical Troy Grad

The stars of PUFFS, including Zac Moon, (center) and Troy High grad Andrea Miller (second from right) brandish their wands. photos courtesy of Lloyd Mulvey
She’s no Muggle.

Our photography business is green. To make our eco-friendly wedding photography business comply with green standards, we put solar panels on our roof, drive hybrid and electric vehicles (EV) and now our delivery system is all electronic. We’ve greatly reduced our carbon footprint and have a 85% recycle to trash ratio, including composting of organic waste. Our workspace is energy efficient and we are working with a LEED consultant to certify our studio.
Our photography business is green. Read More






