Mike Makes

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Mike Makes, Photographer, La Crosse, WI.
(1)

Micheal Calarco
Award Winning Creative Director | Freelance Cinematographer/Video Editor, Published Photographer, Motion Graphics Artist, Drone Pilot, and Social Media Manager | Partner of The Chili Manor, Artsiders, SOUP, and The Rivoli Arts District

07/24/2026

Framing up a shoot with Belle

This shoot was almost a year in the making. Shot last August, right before Belle moved away, and then I became busy with work and freelance opportunities. This shoot sat on my hard drive. The editing felt daunting, but the vision was there. Then I ran into her a few months ago and knew I had to get this done.

I wanted to explore the idea of frames, being viewed as less than who you are, as an object, or as though you are missing something about yourself. Something about letting this shoot sit for a year, and briefly catching up in a bar a few months ago, in some ways makes this about personal growth.

No AI, just Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop

Want to model? Hit me up and let's plan a shoot!

Stats for nerds:
Canon R6MII
Canon 24-70mm F2.8 Lens
(f4.5 - ISO 800)
2 Aputure 300d Lights
3 frames from Goodwill Industries International
Fishing line to hang the frame

07/08/2026

A photo walk from a few weeks ago around La Crosse.

Walking around with the Mamiya Universal Press Camera is a bit annoying due to its size. But I do like the photos that come from it, even if I forget to advance the film from time to time, creating double exposures by accident. One day, I will be more intentional.

The last photo is three frames stitched together digitally to create a panoramic.

Mamiya Universal Press Camera
50mm F6.7 Mamiya Sekor Lens
Kodak Portra 400 120 Film

Another group film photo walk will be in the works soon. Stop by the studio sometime and check out some cameras!

07/07/2026

If you saw my old camera down at Artspire La Crosse a few weeks ago, and asked about it, I probably took your photo. While I can shoot 4x5 film with this camera still, there is something more exciting about getting a photo back instantly.

I use Instax Wide film with this old Graflex Crown Graphic and its always a fun to see peoplea reactions to their photos from this camera.

07/01/2026

This morning's storm reminded me that I captured the sunset from a few days ago.

This is an HDR photo of 5 photos stacked to captured the brightest highlights, and the darkest shadows.

06/28/2026

SpaceHeaters at the Popcorn Tavern about a week ago.

Another test of the Pringles Kaleidoscope camera lens, this time attached to a Lomography Petzval 58mm. You can see the swirl of the lens more in the non kaleidoscope photos. The wider angle is a Schneider Kreznach Retina 28mm lens.

06/14/2026

More experiments with the hand made Pringles Kaleidoscope lens attachment but this time with the Lomography 58mm Petzval Lens and a 28mm Kodak Schneider Kreuznach Lens at River City Championship Wrestling Summertime Bruise X.

The amount of community at these events is amazing. If you have never been, you should come out. I only started showing up a year ago and it is always a great time.

Next build with be with real mirror glass. While the plastic mirrors work, they warp too much.

06/11/2026

If you see me with a Pringles can, I am probably doing cool stuff.

I've seen a lot of kaleidoscope style filters out there, but they don't really do what a kaleidoscope actually does. Recently, I saw someone attach one to their camera (if I find that reel again, I will tag them), and I thought, why not me? Most kaleidoscopes are too small to attach to the front of a lens, so I thought I would build one that I could pair with one of my smaller lenses.

The Lavender Project had a show at Popcorn Tavern and thought this would be a good test for it. The mirrors I used are pretty much plastic, so they warp easily and give more of a fun house mirror effect. Focusing far away causes the edges of the mirrors to blur and creates what you see before you.

Should I build a bigger, better one? Or make a video of how I made it? What's a food with a bigger tube?

Stats for nerds:
Canon USA R6MII
Canon USA RF To EF adapter
Fotodiox Inc. EF adapter to Kodak Retina Rangefinder Lens
Pringles Everything Bagel Can
Kodak Schneider Kreuznach 50mm F1.9 Lens

06/08/2026

Let me introduce myself for all those who are like, “Who even is this guy? What does he even do?”

My real name is Mike Calarco, not Makes, contrary to popular belief, even though I answer to both. I have 15+ years in the creative industry, from newsrooms to corporate offices.

But what do I even do? My area of expertise is digital/film photography and video creation. That’s my lane, and where I experiment most often. Portraits, music videos, weddings, events, and commercials are just a few of the things I do. I take on all roles as needed, like photographer, editor, director, cinematographer, colorist, set designer, film developer, etc. I also enjoy working with other filmmakers and photographers as well, because I am a collaborator, not a competitor.

Combining old processes and technology with new, or being inspired by someone else's creative process, and figuring out how to make it in my own style, is what I am all about. Be inspired, make things, fail, adjust, make more things. That's my short ramble.

Stop by the studio sometime, the Rivoli Arts Building, Studio 311, and let's shoot.

At the end of the day, I am just here to make.

06/02/2026

Anyone else tired of all the same looking AI resturant and business posts?

It makes me not want to go there anymore, or even try them for the first time. I hope they are aware of that impact on their businesses (along with all the other impacts of AI).

Address

La Crosse, WI

Website

https://mike-makes.com/, https://mikemakesshop.etsy.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mike Makes posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Mike Makes:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Photography Service in La Crosse?