something random

So – a dude calls and is trying to sell me a “top spot” on google when people search for video production or wedding videos, etc, in Kansas City. His pitch is that he’s selected me out of all the videographers in the area and I’m the only video business he’s going to represent.

He started out great and talking smooth until he hit a hiccup and forgot what I do – the sentence went something like this – “well Mike, how would it feel to know everyone was clicking on your link, and you’d be the top…(pause)…video…producter in the area?” Video Producter? Pro-duck-ter? “I’m not sure I know what that is, or that anyone else would, so I better pass.”

They also wanted $4500 for their services. I got a call a week later from another company offering the same thing for $80/month. hmm.

Side note – A photographer is a photographer. A video person is a videographer. (pronounced: vidy-ographer.) I often hear the term “video-ographer”. Just like a photographer is not a photo-ographer, we’re not video-ographers. It’s all good, and I don’t correct people when I hear it, but incase you ever wonder, the correct way to say it is above.

an update…

Happy Halloween to all out there - 

Today we shot video & pictures for building a security guard downtown on a rooftop patio 4 floors up, surrounded by some of the larger buildings in downtown.  It was an interesting place to shoot, and somewhat difficult with the lighting coming through some of the buildings, but you do what you can. The couple was awesome, even though we didn’t shoot very many pics and the ceremony was only 7 mins long. 

As for the rest of the evening, hopefully catching a rather large gathering of friends for a Halloween party tonight – not 100% sure what I’m going as, but Ryan may be making an appearance as one of the Chipmunks.  

We’re off to Topeka tomorrow to help a friend ours film/shoot his niece’s wedding as well. 

November is going to be a full month. 3 Weddings and a theater show we’re covering for Christian Youth Theater South, plus a couple marketing pieces in town and possibly some more stuff for Food for the Hungry.   I can’t wait till December though – off to the Bahamas for a destination wedding for some great friends. 

I desperately need to update my website and my blog with videos.  For those of you that haven’t gathered, my primary work is in producing videos.  My websites is a bit slow at playing my videos and they’re a little on the small side – I need to convert all my video demos to Flash files and that should solve the problem.  The issue is more time than anything else – I currently have 8 weddings to finish editing, most of which by the holidays and there’s more to come. 

So, keep an eye out, and I’ll let you know when videos go up.  Also, check my site for those lovely pics of Grady – I put them under the photos / family tab.

a day with Grady Max

[I] went and had my portrait taken from my friend Jenae this weekend – which was hilarious – as a photographer and videographer, I’m always behind the camera, so being in front of it, seeing my goofy reflection in the lens, I suddenly “felt” a little more for the people that I’ve worked with in the past – one of those pics may show up in an “about” section of my website or this blog at some point in the near future – Jenae says she’s sending them to eHarmony.

My older sister Jenny and my nephew Grady were going to come along with me, but given nap schedules and getting a 7 month old to take pics and be happy about it, I decided to do some during lunch and in their yard -

It’s a secret…

My friend Jenae is doing portraits at Loose Park this Saturday – if you’re in town, and want a great deal on an awesome picture of yourself, family, friends, etc, check this out. I think I’m heading there myself with my sister and 7 month-old nephew – I’ll see if I can post some next week…

(It’s a great gift for the holidays too!)

Travis & Lisa e-session

This past weekend Travis, Lisa and I had a blast taking engagement pics downtown – with the KC Marathon running right by us, we had a 3 hour “run” of our own going all over the crossroads district - 

Here are a couple of their shots - 

The photo below was not photoshopped – they were standing in front of a window overlooking the city, the very window they stood in front of on their first date - 

Voted #3 in Top 5 Wedding Videographers in KC

Ok so, the results are in for KMBC Channel 9’s “A-List”, where people were able to vote on their favorites in Kansas City. 

Well – I came in third.  

I didn’t really tell my previous couples about it, otherwise I could’ve brought in at least 2nd place – Kairos Moment (#1) does a lot more weddings than I do on a yearly basis – and they do good work from what I’ve seen, and it was all based on the number of votes you got.   

In all honesty, it’s a cool idea to be in the top 5 in KC for this, but I don’t [just] do wedding videography. It’s not something I have had to advertise, and yet, I’ve stayed consistently busy for 9 years now.

I’ve enjoyed the variety of work that I do, and appreciated those couples more than I think I would have if I really ran after 4 or more weddings a month.  I really believe that doing all the various video production that I do, (along with photography) allows me to bring more to the table when it comes to filming weddings anyway. 

So, if you’re on here because of a link from KMBC’s “A-List”, thanks for checking out my site and my blog. I do love doing weddings, and would be glad to meet with you or answer any questions you have about your video!

This weekend…?

So – this weekend – I’m actually off from shooting weddings - 

I get to film Travis & Lisa for a creative wedding invitation video though – It should be a lot of fun, and something totally different – I really like the occasional non-traditional couple that wants to do something new – so their whole wedding invitation will be on a DVD – i’ll see about posting part of it for you to get an idea of what it’s like – I’ll just leave out the date/time/place so they don’t have any wedding crashers show up -

I’m also trying to catch up on editing – I have a commercial that has to go out as well as a really cool video for a non-profit org that I hope to tell you all about soon – this guy (and his awesome new dog) is producing it and I get to help- It very well may revolutionize the way we create awareness and support for causes and charities worldwide.  Once I’m allowed to let you all in on it, I may not shut up about it - 

I also owe several folks wedding videos before the rapidly-approaching holidays…

oh, and I get to work with these guys again – the 4yr olds at Heartland -

(there’s kid under that other bucket of course)

what is this?

I’m not about to pretend that I’m an expert on fashion…but seriously?
I came across this at Macy’s the other night and couldn’t help but laugh.  Are you telling me it’s ok now to wear a polo over a button up shirt? Please comment, because if this is socially acceptable now, I’d just like to be in the know – and not laugh hysterically if I see this on the street sometime soon –  

The Miguel Recliner

Costco has decided to release a new recliner in honor of me - 

this was during a recent photo shoot to advertise for the Costco catalog. 
Of course it will only be released overseas.  Honestly, the “Mike” recliner just wouldn’t work here in the states.

been up to?

What have I been doing lately…?

Well, end of last week I had an awesome accidental run-in with my friend Joanna 
We used to hang out a lot more when we attended the same church years ago - 
It was really awesome to hang with her and catch up over coffee -

But, the real reason for my being there was to meet my buddy Kelly with Monarch Flower company-
I can’t disclose the details of her totally awesome ideas, but we may be doing a video or two here
in the coming months – can’t wait!  You should look her up for your wedding!

What else…Editing like crazy – I have incredible footage from the last several weekends that I’m going through right now – Sometimes I make a deal with brides to get their video to them by a certain date within a couple weeks of the wedding, like for a second reception out of town, etc, so I’m doing a little more than usual right now. 

(Side note – don’t try to edit at a coffee shop – rude people on their cell phones sitting at tables directly across from you will include you in their conversations even if you didn’t want to be.) P.S. – who ever told them it was ok to have a cell phone conversation in a coffee shop anyway?  Isn’t it kind of like a library? quiet, considerate, more intimate conversations?  Maybe not…