Ushering in 2014 with some reflection......

So as 2014 quickly unfolds I have challenged Mark to reflect on 2013.  What were his highs? His lows? What would he like to see more of on 2014?  What would he like to eliminate?  What would be an all encompassing snap shot of last year? What image does he see in a crystal ball of the year ahead?  It took a while but this is what he said......

My highs? My European trip, which included re-connecting with some European air medical friends, mission photography in the Czech Republic (and the amazing hospitality of my CZ friend Pavel, his family and his vineyard+cellar!) and then a brief, but successful scouting of Roma in preparation for the Airmed World Congress in June 2014.

The low? Watching the continuing deterioration of pro photography, not necessarily as a result of technology or the internet, but how mediocre and even poor imagery is continuing to lead alot of sheep. But in all honesty my real low was at the start of 2014, but directly related to 2013. I did not meet my photo buddy Ben Checkowy, in Los Angeles, for just a half day in December, as I was too"busy" and I could not quite afford the trip. Ben suddenly passed away two weeks ago. RIP Ben. Life is way too short.

More of this next year? More missions with more air medical programs, including some good light to feature STARS' new A139 in action!  Finding more time to shoot more sunrises, as I think I have sunsets at Dog Beach covered. And seeing more pros speaking up about mediocre imagery flooding the internet and the hazards it can cause. Those who already know that you have to pay real money for good photography can chime in at any time as well. Support Artists! Their vision can take a lifetime to develop. 

Eliminate? The "joys" of travel, as my last big trip across the US with United had me stranded alone in Chicago...Perhaps eliminating some of my airline travel and getting my butt on more Amtrak trains. 

All encompassing snap shot of last year? Europe, it's friends and their hospitality and the future possibilities that it held! Mix in a successful Outriders' season...the best ever Drill Crew Calendar just debuting now and there were some real highs. 

Crystal Ball? I see a successful HAI experience that relates to both the November 2014 Dubai Helishow and the opportunity to meet some great air medical friends at the Airmed World Congress in Roma this June. The AMTC Host Program Photography project will put me in TN this year, and I always have enjoyed my time in that region of the United States. Images from that project will debut in Roma! And lastly, yet another return to Burning Man with the intention to receive a grant to do "something big". Stay tuned. 

Many, many thanks again to the followers of my blog. I really appreciate your support, and insights over the years. MM

No doubt Mark and Waldy's best work yet! Roughneck Drill Crew's Calendar Debuts January 10th

Well Mark along with his good buddy and longtime colleague Waldy Martens have most certainly outdone themselves with the Drill Crew's 2014 Calendar.  Below you will find the official press release marking the occasion.  Once the calendar is released at the Roughneck's Home Opener this Friday, January 10th, we will be updating you with more of the amazing imagery and outtakes.  So please stay tuned!

Until Next Time.....

Charli

Back Again: Roughneck’s Debut their 2014 Calendar January 10^th

 featuring the photographic genius of Mark Mennie + Waldy Martens

January 9, 2014- Mark Mennie of Mark Mennie Photography and Waldy Martens team up for the second year running to shoot the National Lacrosse League, Calgary Roughneck’s dance team, Drill Crew’s 2014 Calendar. A collaborative union, which has proven to be of utmost success for both the Drill Crew and the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders’ dance team the Outriders, with a consistent history of calendar sell outs year after year. The Drill Crew’s 2014 edition is already being touted as Mark and Waldy’s best collaboration yet, utilizing Mark’s creative capture skills and Waldy’s art direction and world class post production talents. The stars truly aligned when this for these two Alberta College of Art alums reunited for this project and pure magic was formed. The success of this shoot cannot be solely credited them though, as the dance team as a whole and their talented leader Dana Murphy played an integral part if not the most important.

Stepping away from the Saddledome this year, the 4 day shoot was set at Harley Davidson of Calgary, which was initially scouted by Dana, and while it did not allow the Drill Crew a “home field advantage” of shooting in their arena, the dealership created the perfect contrast to compliment to each of the team members’ calendar spread. “Something always drew me to a motorcycle themed calendar and shooting in late November I knew the shoot had to be indoors. Taking the shoot to an unfamiliar location can be a gamble, but it was Mark and Waldy’s dream location. They were like two kids in a candy store with the excitement that grew from scouting and all the location and motorcycle options we had available to us. Harley Davidson of Calgary was the most accommodating and welcoming to our whole production crew.”

In addition to amazing hospitality of Tom, Rob, and Patrick as well as the entire staff at Calgary Harley Davidson, the project would have been nowhere without the hairstyling talents by the Drill Crew’s own Petra. The coordinated team of make-up artists, Karen, Helen and Vered magically transformed all the ladies into calendar girls. “It always take a village during a rapid shoot of this magnitude” Mark adds.  “The production crew, venue staff, and Drill Crew created the perfect “dream team” for Waldy and myself and our organized chaos. All these unique elements merged together to create this great calendar"

The Drill Crew 2014 Calendar will be officially released on Friday, January 10^th at the Roughneck’s home opener versus the Colorado Mammoth. In addition to being available for sale at all games the calendar will also be offered online as well at www.calgaryroughnecks.com.  The calendar is $20 for a signed copy, plus shipping. To find out more about Mark and Waldy and their professional work please visit their sites www.mennie.com or www.waldymartens.com     

        

Memorial Lights....

Back in June at the future site of the Air Medical Memorial in Littleton CO and with the help and inspiration from special friends of the air medical community, Mark debuted a thought provoking artistic installation of small flickering electronic tea lights.  Each light symbolizing a life lost in the line of duty and honoring the fallen, in a quiet night setting. The vision going forward for this special project was always for it's awareness to grow, travel to every and continue to pay its respects throughout the community.  The travel focused mainly at this time on ATMC and adapting the presentation to the host city's surroundings.  At AMTC Virginia Beach this year, Mark was able to do just that.  As well as exceed all his expectations and so much more. 

As a long time coordinator of the AAMS Memorial Room, Mark always dreamed doing something more or in addition to the room of solemn reflection at a very busy conference.  Finally, with the input of several volunteers in October 2012, his ideas and thoughts came to fruition with Memorial Lights making its first appearance on the Sunday evening proceeding AMTC and with a second showing on the convention center grounds Wednesday following the conference closing. 

On Sunday evening, October 20th, Mark orchestrated the most perfect Memorial Light installation on the beach.  Through word of mouth and one printed flyer, an overwhelming crowd gathered to reflect, honor and support fellow colleagues and the community as a whole.  A soft humbling musical backdrop was created with a collaboration of Mark’s three talented friends from across the country. It seemed as even the moon received the invite as it magically rose out of the Atlantic, glowing orange as attendees began to gather.  Below are lyrics to a touching song Never Forget written by Greg Hildenbrand, which called for the refrain to be sung in unison.  The melodic harmonies of the crowd as well as the waves crashing resulted in creating a more than memorable ending as so many different programs came together to pay their respects. 

Wednesday night’s gathering took a bit of a different turn given the recent and very unfortunate tragedy in Tennessee the day before.  Mark, working with his volunteers, asked those gathering to take a few lights from their storage box, read and think about the names and place them as they wished in a small park area on the grounds the convention hall. Three new tea lights, and a folded flag became the focal point as a special statement was read in their honor.  Bagpipes played Amazing grace in the background, and attendees viewed the lights as they walked among them, some knelt to read the names, others took photos. Fighter jets from the local Airbase occasionally roared above but perhaps they were no match for the silent message being presented. 

THANK YOU AND A WORD FROM MARK MENNIE: The Memorial Lights would not have been possible without all the support, assistance, creativity, hoop jumping, and love of some very special people.  A big huge THANK YOU to Alex Farnsworth, Temple Fletcher who were there at the start in Denver, then our local support from EMS Chief Ed Brazel and the city of Virginia Beach.Thank you Blair Beggan for your support, assistance and guidance. Musicians Craig Yale, Greg Hildenbrand, Tom Judge, Bagpiper Officer Bradley Canning. Thank you Kolby Kolbert for reading the message from TN, Tim Pickering for your insight, and Tim Nixon for your beautiful writing found here.  Also a thank you to Charli LeGette and Jean Levasseur for assisting behind the scenes in making a simple idea a reality.    

This installation is a work in progress, and many new suggestions from attendees have been noted. Unfortunately, 4 more lights have been added again last week. 

In addition my request for a "special case" to hold the lights in honor as they travel has been noted and I hope that design discussion will begin shortly. The capacity of this case is perhaps the greatest challenge this project will have. 

The Memorial Lights will appear again, in Nashville TN, September 21st, 2014 at sunset. 

Until next time....

Charli (& Mark Mennie) 

Long overdue 2013 AMTC Recap.....

Almost a month out we are finally getting around to filling everyone in on our AMTC Virginia Beach experiences.....many apologies but things have been just as hectic and productive post than pre & during.  Between follow ups, editing for Mark, some much need R & R, and regrouping & organizing we have been on the go! 

Although the week was a bit of a blur for us all, the conference was very successful for Mark Mennie Photography and our entire team.  For starters it was nice to have OUR TEAM reunited…. Our newly restructured and rarely all in the same place at the same time team consists Mark, myself and our Montreal based videographer, Jean Levasseur of PHOCUS Productions.  Or as Jean apply named us the tripod in reference to our home coordinates on the North American Continent.  That is when Mark is sitting still in Calgary which we all know is VERY rare!

AMTC is a project that Mark basically works with AAMS on all year long.  Starting this past Spring, Mark began shooting the host programs in their elements to accurately depict the host city and the air medical community that serves the greater Virginia area.  The imagery captured, is then what AAMS uses for promotion leading up to the event and also what Jean uses to create magic in his Monday Morning Session Opener, which sets the mood for the entire conference.  This year both knocked it out of the park and their artistry was quite the talk on the streets!      

In addition to all the pre-work and preparations, all three of us were constantly busing reuniting with old friends and colleagues and connecting with new as well as Mark and Jean covering the show with their photography and videography talents.  I could go on and on about all the events and activities of the week, but I will let Mark and Jean’s work speak for itself below. 

Until Next Time….

Charli

Sidebar: Mark unveiled two amazing Memorial events while in Virginia Beach.  Both of which are much too meaningful and touching to include in this already lengthy piece.  Stay tuned for a posting on Mark’s Memorial Lights Installation.

A Canadian Lets Loose in Rome......

Back in July, Mark had the honor of attending EHAC (European HEMS & Air Ambulance Committee) Scientific and Education planning meeting for the AirMed World Congress taking place in Rome in 2014.  http://airmed.eu/  After the Munich meeting, Mark traveled to Brno to photograph the Czech based H-EMS program Alfa Helicopter for 8 days.  Stay tuned as Alfa will be debuting those images soon. Mark was then fortunate enough able to carve out a few hours here and there to be a tourist and do what he does best.....snap breath taking vivid imagery that leaves his audiences wanting to jump a plane to Italy and definitely attract more attendees to the Congress in Roma next year.  Mark's hands on approach left him cold, wet, and dirty after one Roman thunderstorm, but I am so thankful for his devotion to taking these shots as I can almost feel the humidity in the air, squint at the sun setting behind the inspiring architecture, and savor taste of delicious red wine.  Thank you Mark for taking us all on your latest adventure.  The photographs featured here as well as many more can be found on his newly updated website www.mennie.com under the "Travel Portfolio".  Until next time.... 

Charli