Life, The Universe, and Everything


I’ve Lost My Gear – Mark’s Miscellaneous Monday

I’ve lost my gear – in weight loss as of this week.

Biggest Loser Monday
As some of you know Season 8 last fall of The Biggest Loser really inspired me to start taking control of my weight issues so late last November I started really watching my intake and getting a little more exercise.   Throw in the mix that I’ve received immense support from a wide variety of wedding photographers, both local and nationally, from the Fast Track Photographera group hosted by Dane Sanders.  And if all this wasn’t enough the icing on this cake for change is the fact my friend and often second photographer, Dain Linder, not only being a good friend and excellent photographer, he also has a background in fitness and training and has helped me turn a morning in the gym into a regular routine.

While the small progress each week has been wonderful I was thrilled this week to reach a mini-milestone.

A few weeks back I posted an article on my gear bag and commented on how fully loaded it was about 50 pounds in weight.  Well this week my weight loss as exceeded (well exceeded actually) this number.   The reason this is such a great threshold is this weight loss is something tangible now.  When I have to carry that bag up the stairs I can remind myself that just a few months back I was carrying that much weight up the stairs when it was just me going up the stairs.

Airport Security 2.0

Airport Security 2.0

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Use The Force Luke

Anybody who follows me on Twitter or Facebook knows last week I had a pretty hair raising experience, well it would have been if I had that much hair anyways.

Last Thursday while driving down the road the steering wheel literally came off in my hand and I found myself going down the highway at 60-ish mph without any way to control the car.  Fortunatly the car just kept veering to the last direction I had pointed it, towards the right, and I was able to safely apply the brakes and the impact with the concrete barricades was pretty gentle.  Most of the damage was taken by one of the front wheels and the tire.

x2_b3b13aYup, that’s the steering wheel resting on the dash after I unplugged the air bag wires while waiting for a tow truck.

While it’s tempting to get real upset and blame someone, the car manufacturer, the last mechanic who serviced it, etc., I just am thrilled such an experience ended with no injuries (or worse).  We think we’ve ID’d what event probably started to loosen the bolt and it was just a one in a million chance that it led to this.  Fortanatly I figure the odds of safely pulling over a car on the highway without a steering wheel at about the same one in a million.  It could have been such a terrible event, but ended well – it’s hard not to be happy about that.

Besides I’ve got a great new Facebook avatar.

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No, I didn’t remember to go get any lotto tickets that day.

On the flip side if your a gambling person and you want Denver’s Luckiest Wedding Photographer, well I just might be the photographer for you. :-)

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2010 looks to be an amazing year for us, we’re ahead on bookings and expect to hit the closing point much earlier this year since we do cap our total weddings.   June is almost full and July-September is looking great as well.  Add a few early and late weddings and things look good.  Don’t worry though if we’re booked for your wedding day I have a list of referrals to some of the best photographers in town.   We’ll take care of you one way or the other.

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My wife and I are celebrating our 23rd anniversary this week.   Just another example of why I’m the luckiest guy around.

Mark’s Miscellaneous Monday – 02-01-2010

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Been a busy week for an out of season week.

If you’re an Apple geek the new iPad rocked your boat last week.   Can’t wait to get my hands on one of these for client meetings and later this week I’ll be announcing a “Digital Lifestyle” wedding selection that includes one of these gems as well as a special package including this for your proofs and a very special album.

iPad

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I stumbled across the most awesome “Save the Date” video I think I’ve ever seen and had to share.

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I had the chance to have coffee with Kim Olsen last week.   Kim’s a wonderful photographer who recently relocated to Denver from San Francisco and is reaching out to meet a lot of the local wedding professionals in the area.   I think Kim is going to do wonderful here in Colorado and look forward to seeing her around town.

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I met last week with Nil from Adorn.   She has this great business going where you can purchase or rent shawls and umbrellas in a variety of colors for your wedding.   For those weddings outside of July where the temperature can drop suddenly after dark, especially in the foothills or mountains, I think this is a wonderful idea that your guests will remember and hopefully allow them to stay a little longer and enjoy your wedding.

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Biggest Loser Monday
First Monday of the month and this last month has simply been wonderful on getting control of my weight, health and fitness.   Finished 4 weeks of making it to the gym 6 days a week and have never felt more alive in my life.
Since half that time in the gym I’m with Dain, my main second shooter and associate photographer, I feel like we’re in off season training for the 2010 wedding season some days.

Mark’s Miscellaneous Monday — January 25th 2010

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Another Monday, another Miscellaneous post.

Taste of Dunafon

Brides, Dunafon Castle will be planning another Taste of Dunafon for late February.   If you’re still looking for a venue and want to find one of the most magnificent wedding venues in Colorado for your wedding you’ll want to check this out.   Just go to the website and in the contact area you can get in touch with Annie and Shannon and they’ll get you setup.    This is a great way to view the castle if you’re still looking for a venue and I hope to see some of our clients we’ve already booked for 2010 there as well.

adminDunafon Castle

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Biggest Loser Monday

After a few weeks of hitting the gym 6 days a week I am seeing some wonderful results.   The belt I wore for last years wedding season is just about too big for me now.   I started on the second hole and I’m now on the last hole.   The only downside to all this is I’m going to need all new clothes come this seasons weddings at this rate.

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Porthos, aka “Mister Mischief” is now an escape artist

Since our dog Porthos is still a bit of a chewer we typically crate him when we have to leave.    Well the last week or two despite being crated he’s been meeting me at the door, and seems extremely pleased with himself when he does.  We setup a camera on the crate this week and it seems the little guy has figure out how to work the latch wish his nose and teeth.  Once he gets bored of the crate, about 10 minutes, and starts working on the latch he’s out of it inside another 2-3 minutes.

Since he hasn’t chewed anything up after his escapes I’ll let him have this little victory for now and not get a different crate with a better latch.

Mark’s Miscellaneous Monday January 4th, 2010

Wow is it Monday again, been a fast couple of weeks around here lately. Here’s a few random tidbits from recent happenings from a Colorado Wedding Photographer.

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First wedding for 2010 is shot and in the edit process and the second one is fast approaching. 2010 is going to blow past 2009, hang on to your hats.

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A pair of winter engagement settings. Look for pictures from downtown and The Sanctuary showing up in the near future.

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Another set of baby-bump pictures shot for some of my wedding clients. Looking forward to several sets of newborn photos this spring.

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Biggest Loser Monday

First Monday of the month so some brief mention of my own challenge is in order.

During the month of December I lost 3.25% of my starting body weight at the beginning of the month.
Since being inspired by Danny, Rudy and the rest of the season 8 contestants of “The Biggest Loser” I’ve lost 7.7% of my original starting weight in mid-October.

In order to help this process along I started a new step this morning, started my 24 hour fitness membership and now several times a week I’ll be meeting and working out with my oft mentioned friend and photography partner Dain Linder of Photography by Dain.

Until next time,

Mark
View my portfolio site | Contact Mark Hayes for your upcoming wedding

Mark’s Miscellaneous Monday – Hello Winter

I love Colorado.
First official day of winter and it’s going to be in the 50’s today.
Of course I have a photo session on Wednesday and it’s expected to be snowing with a high of 28, but there’s a good chance of snow on the ground for Christmas so it’s all good.

Despite being out of the wedding season it’s been a busy month. Some meetings about next months weddings, a few new bookings for next summer and some holiday family sessions for my existing clients.

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I had the pleasure this last week of doing some photos of a couple, Matt and Samantha, whose wedding I shot last summer. Matt and Samantha are expected their first child in early 2010 so I had the incredible honor of shooting some maternity photos for them. While I’ve shot maternity photos on previous occasions this was actually the first time I got to do this for a couple that had me for their wedding photographer. I must say I’m looking forward to the newborn photo session in just a few months as well.
Denver Maternity Photography

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Despite wedding photography here in Colorado being my bread and butter I do occasionally do other types of work as well, usually at the request or referral of previous clients.   This time is was some business head-shots for a law firm where a friend and occasional model I know works.

Their offices had a beautiful view of the foothills so it was great using some of the lighting techniques I’ve used for both weddings and commercial photography to get a nice shot balancing the indoor light with the blue sky out the windows.

Denver Head Shot Photographer

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And of course this last weekend was time to head out with the grandkids to see the lights downtown.   To a 4 year old the city and county building is the most amazing site ever.

Denver Holiday Lights

Of course when it came time for a photo of the kids we had to use a little off camera lighting just to be different.

Denver Holiday Lights

Until next time,

Mark
View my portfolio site | Contact Mark Hayes for your upcoming wedding

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