Isaac Ritchey

Toledo

Staff Photojournalist at The Toledo Blade

Multimedia specialist @MLive @GRPress @MuskegonChron | Formerly: @ToledoNews @FlintJournal @CMLife | 2x Michigan College Photog of the Year

Articles

See our 10 favorite photos from Holland’s 2025 prom

3 days ago | mlive.com | Isaac Ritchey

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — More than 300 students and guests showed up in style to Holland High School prom on Friday, April 18 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Couples and friends mingled with 60 butterfly species at the “Butterflies are Blooming” exhibit inside the five-story, 15,000-square-foot glass greenhouse. Students weren’t to be outdone by the colorful, majestic critters, though. They showed up decked out in fancy suits, flowing dresses and all-out bling.
Before and after photos offer glimpse into 30 years of Meijer Gardens

4 days ago | mlive.com | Isaac Ritchey

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is celebrating 30 years of blending art, culture and nature. The 158-acre campus at 1000 E Beltline Ave. NE features the state’s largest tropical conservatory, a permanent collection of 300 works, five indoor theme gardens plus outdoor gardens, nature trails and boardwalks.
‘Worth the wait’: Decadent smash burgers are popular at this Grand Rapids take-out

5 days ago | mlive.com | Isaac Ritchey

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The door swings open and shut, a steady rhythm accompanying the sizzling flat-top grill as customers begin to arrive at 11:30 a.m. on the dot. Black Napkin, 966 Fulton St. E in Grand Rapids, is an elevated fast-food spot serving smash burgers, homemade sodas and battered fries. The restaurant, which opened in 2022, started with the original concept of selling popsicles from the storefront.
Holland blends fab looks and butterflies for prom 2025 at Meijer Gardens

6 days ago | mlive.com | Isaac Ritchey

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Butterflies and fabulous looks made for a night of elegance at Holland High School prom. More than 300 students and guests showed up in style to the event on Friday, April 18 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Couples and friends mingled with 60 butterfly species at the “Butterflies are Blooming” exhibit inside the five-story, 15,000-square-foot glass greenhouse. Students weren’t to be outdone by the colorful, majestic critters, though.
See photos as Western Michigan Christian faces North Muskegon in girls soccer

1 week ago | mlive.com | Isaac Ritchey

NORTH MUSKEGON — The Warriors bookended the game with scores. Western Michigan Christian defeated the North Muskegon Norsemen, 2-0, in a high school girls soccer game on Thursday, April 16 at North Muskegon Soccer Field. The Warriors got an early goal from Nora Pollock and a late goal from Gilly Beckley to secure the road win. MLive / Grand Rapids Press photojournalist Isaac Ritchey was there to capture the action. Check out the full gallery above or see a few of our favorites below.
Limited-edition bobbleheads commemorate WMU hockey national title

1 week ago | mlive.com | Isaac Ritchey

KALAMAZOO, MI — Commemorate Western Michigan Broncos history with two limited-edition bobbleheads available for preorder. The WMU hockey team won the program’s first-ever NCAA national title on Saturday, April 12, beating Boston University, 6-2, in St. Louis. And while the championship trophy sits in Kalamazoo, fans have an opportunity to pick up their own hardware.
See fans join WMU hockey in celebrating NCAA title at ‘National Champions Rally’

1 week ago | mlive.com | Isaac Ritchey

KALAMAZOO, MI — The boys are back in town, and fans were there to meet them. The WMU hockey team rolled up in three limos for a university hosted “National Champions Rally” at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 14, in Read Fieldhouse. About 3,000 fans were treated to player autographs, pictures with the trophy, championship merchandise and more. The team won the program’s first-ever NCAA national championship on Saturday, April 12, beating Boston University, 6-2, in St. Louis.
More than peanuts and Cracker Jacks: Whitecaps concessions feature new, bizarre creations

1 week ago | mlive.com | Isaac Ritchey

COMSTOCK PARK, MI — Baseball, in an unexpected twist, has become a culinary playing field. Organizations across the country each spring — from single-A to the majors — unveil some interestingly delicious and sometimes bizarre dishes. The West Michigan Whitecaps, 500 W River Dr. NE in Comstock Park, is going beyond peanuts and Cracker Jacks, introducing its own original offerings for the 2025 season.
See glowing mythical creatures come alive at Grand Rapids Lantern Festival

1 week ago | mlive.com | Isaac Ritchey

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — While lions, tigers and bears follow nightly routines inside at John Ball Zoo, dragons and witnesses to their spectacle become aglow. The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival, the first of its kind in Michigan, kicked off April 9 and is set to illuminate the zoo through June 15. Visitors can embark on a one-mile tour through the zoo from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday, witnessing the magic of handcrafted Asian lantern displays.
Grand Rapids Lantern Festival magic cultivates wonder at John Ball Zoo

2 weeks ago | mlive.com | Isaac Ritchey

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Spectators’ eyes lit up, darting from one attraction to the next, on Tuesday along a pathway of glowing dragons, butterflies and flowers at John Ball Zoo. This year’s Grand Rapids Lantern Festival will run from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday from April 9 to June 15 at the zoo, which shared a preview on Tuesday, April 8.