As designer’s we’re always looking to reinvent, while simultaneously looking at history for inspiration. When we launched the Wish You Were Here campaign in October, the goal was to reshape the perception of Michigan from place of blight to somewhere that is at the cusp of creative change.
Almost 100 years after his death, Louis James Pesha (1868 – 1912) showcased the region’s splendor through his photographs. The Canadian-born photographer settled in Marine City, Michigan, where he found his talent for shooting the Great Lakes and other landmarks. Pesha eventually opened his own studio and sold his photographs as picture postcards.

Courtright, Ontario

Pesha Art Co., Marine City, MI

Although postcards had existed since 1861, the US Post Office has a monopoly on printing them. It wasn’t until thirty years later, in 1891 that individual photographers, illustrators and printmakers had the ability to create and design their own postcards to be used through the postal system. The 1893 Columbian Exposition was the turning point for postcard distribution, selling the first postcards with that allowed the backside to be used for an address and short message. The combined back of the postcard left the entire front a blank canvas for artists to decorate.

Petrolia, Ontario

Pesha, like many others, embraced the chance to share his art to a wide audience. In 1901 he settled in Marine City to open his studio right along the banks of the St. Clair River, allowing him to shoot the various ships the sailed right by his front door. His passion for storytelling through photography didn’t stop there though. Throughout his time in Michigan, Pesha traveled around the Great lakes Basin, photographing everything from railroad stations, street activity, and the daily life of people in and around the city.
Today, Pesha’s postcards and photographs are highly sought after for nostalgia and quality of photography. AIGA Detroit is challenging you to continue the spirit of what Louis James Pesha started by creating your own postcards to enter into the Wish You Were Here postcard campaign. If you’re a photographer, designer, illustrator, or even someone that dabbles in everything, this competition allows you to share your vision of Michigan, to the rest of the world.

Schoolhouse in Brigden, Ontario

A special thanks to John (snap-happy1) for providing the images for this post.