Robert Bayer

I became interested in photography after receiving a "Spy" attache case with a hidden built in camera when I was a child.

In the early ‘90s I got hooked again while scuba diving in Cozumel after watching our dive guide glide through the water capturing images of the undersea world.

In the early 2000's, I mentioned to a co-worker that I was into underwater photography. He then convinced me to join a local camera club which held monthly meetings and competitions.

Having some of the best photographers in the Grand Rapids area available to me thru the camera club, I picked their brains and improved my photography skills greatly.

Eventually, some of them started sharing their "Secret" photography spots or would notify me when a hard to find animal was in the area.

It was through the camera club that I was invited to photograph the athletes in numerous sports for the State Games of Michigan in both the Summer Games and the Winter Games.

From my images of the State Games, I was referred to the West Michigan Sports Commission where I was able to photograph the Meijer LPGA Classic, EPSN X-Games

Mastercraft Throwdown, USA Masters Track & Field, the first High School Gridiron Classic event and the Michigan High School Gymnastics Finals.

Since moving to Northport in 2016, I’ve done photography for the Northport Performing Arts Center and the Northport Arts Association events as well as local high school sports.

In 2021, I had an entry in Artprize, and I currently have two of my images hanging at the new wing of the McLaren Hospital in Petoskey.

www.flickr.com/photos/bayer-essence/