Most of the homes I photograph tell their story from the ground.

A front porch welcomes you in. A backyard invites you to stay awhile. A cozy living room makes you imagine winter evenings by the fire.

But every now and then, I have the opportunity to photograph a property that tells its story from above.

There's something extraordinary about standing in a high-rise penthouse overlooking downtown Green Bay. The city you've driven through a hundred times suddenly feels different. Streets become patterns. Buildings become landmarks. The Fox River winds through the city like a ribbon connecting the past to the present.

From that height, you begin to appreciate Green Bay in a new way.

Looking out across downtown, historic buildings stand as reminders of the city's rich heritage. The iconic Hotel Northland, which first opened in 1924, still anchors the skyline with its timeless architecture and nearly a century of stories. A friend of mine owns the Bellin Building (I had the opportunity to photograph that building once, I'll add some photos below), one of Green Bay's earliest "skyscrapers," rises above Walnut Street as a symbol of the city's early growth and ambition. Nearby, the Neville Public Museum reflects Green Bay's commitment to preserving the history, culture, and character of Northeast Wisconsin.

As a photographer, views like these are fascinating because they reveal a side of Wisconsin that many people never see. Most of us experience our communities from sidewalks, streets, and front yards. A penthouse, like the Metreau I shot, offers a completely different perspective. You can see how neighborhoods connect, how the river shapes the city, and how old and new architecture exist side by side.

The light changes constantly from above. Morning sun glints off windows and the river below. Evening brings long shadows and golden reflections across rooftops. At night, downtown begins to sparkle, transforming into a landscape of lights.

A great photograph does more than document a space—it captures a feeling. And from a Green Bay penthouse, that feeling is one of perspective. It's a reminder that Wisconsin's beauty isn't limited to lakes, forests, and countryside. Sometimes it's found high above the city, looking out over the stories, history, and character that make this place home.