More Scream Scram!

As Genny posted below, the two of us photographed the 9th annual Scream Scram friday night. It was totally awesome and a really really fun time. But it was also pretty overwhelming to cover. Fast paced, so much going on everywhere and then trying to get all the photos uploaded and keyword searchable by the next day. It was totally worth it, and we'd love to do it again next year; and 3 days later I finally have enough brainpower to blog about it in some detail...



Despite the hectic nature of trying to cover the race, it still left me with a warm fuzzy feeling. It was just a really fun event to be at. Everyone was having a blast, lots of hilarious costumes, lots of families doing the race together, just good vibes all around; and all for a good cause.

It was really great being there early and watching the excitement and fun build as people show up. Slowly, Washington Park filled with athletes in their hi-tech running costumes. Some of the more serious contenders were warming up when we got there by running laps around the park, and probably ran a few 5k's before they ran the 5k.





Eric Larsen, who is a global explorer and adventurer, attended the event to promote his upcoming adventure to the three poles of the Earth. The three poles would be North, South, and the ceiling of the world, Everest. He will be venturing to these great frozen places in an effort to raise awareness of climate change. Before the full race, there was the kid's 100m race, and in this race Eric ran with the kids while pulling two car tires behind him to simulate the sled he will be pulling to the poles.






As the 5k began, the starting line exploded with color. The racers were off, and it was our job to try and be a step ahead of them. We hurried to the midway point to take a few photos before we had to run off to the finish line. Anything you can imagine crossed that finish line. Skeletons and vampires, super heroes and villains, a screw and screwdriver, the burger king, Jack Sparrow, a taxi, a shower, and a bunch of people that I can only assume were Christmas stockings or various parts of Santa.







Afterwards, I set up my light near a wall and did some nice and easy pictures of people who wants portraits done. Here's a picture of a skeleton and the girl dressed as a shower. All in all it was really fun and constantly hilarious, despite the hard work. Genny and I had a great time and hope to participate again.

Scream Scram 08

Friday was the 9th annual Scream Scram, a fundraiser for Sean's Hope and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society hosted by Scream Agency. Thanks to all their work, and lots of volunteers, everyone had a great time: men, women, children, dogs... martians, skeletons, vikings and princesses... Click here to see more photos.

Mt. Belford ( I think...?)

Last July, Genny and I went on a Mt. Olypmus climb for a charity called Big City Mountaineers. We met many fine people on the trip, but the two that stood out the most; the ones we knew would be long term friends were John and Rob. We never thought we would be recruiting climbing partners from Iowa, but low and behold, they were in Colorado last weekend to climb 14ers and we wanted in (or out?)! We joined them for their third hill, Mt. Belford. The whole time none of us could remember the name of it and every few minutes someone was asking what mountain we were on. Up top, Rob and then John approach the summit. They were kicking my butt the whole way up, but let me go first to take their pictures. What nice guys.







Here, Genny walks one of the few moderately steep sections. The rest of the mountain was just plain steep. It was never too terrible, but it seldom let up. I feel like it's much easier to climb mountains with hard sections and easy sections, than one that's just kinda tough the whole way up. This led to the much appreciated Vitamin I break, as you can see below.











It was slow going and the weather always looked on the verge of going sour, but it never did. Just a pretty cold and constant wind, but no rain. For the first time in a while, I underestimated a mountain and didn't bring my hardshell pants. I figured my softshell pants would be enough, but the wind was just whipping right through them. Around 13,5000, after venting a lot of heat for a while, I felt too cold to be comfortable with going higher, and I was going to turn around. John was kind enough to let me borrow his wind pants, and they warmed me back up as I continued hiking.



After that, we were on the summit in no time. We spent enough time for a quick Hero Shot on the summit, and then we're off!

Lumpy Aspens

The aspens here are in full glory, so I decided to go up to Lumpy ridge in Estes Park and grab a few shots. Here's one for now.

Cardozo Family Photos

At the Magazine Conference last weekend Ben and I met Jonathan Cardozo, a man who's taking his two kids, Zippy and Adam, on a year-long adventure around the world. Ben offered to photograph them on their leaving day and so we were there bright and early yesterday as they were packing. Armed with new skills and photo gear Ben took some candid shots as well as some more formal portraits of each family member and the three of them together. We had a great morning with Zippy and Adam as Jonathan got all their things organized into the minivan. You can read about their adventure at their website: HappyFamilyAdventure.com. We'll share more photos and news about where they are as time passes. For now they're headed toward Moab. Bon Voyage!

A few days in the Park.

I just got back from spending a few days in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Backpacker staff was having their gear testing trip. So after a weekend photography conference, Genny and I went up to join them for the last day. After Genny and her workmates went back to Boulder, I decided to stick around and take some more photos. Here are some of my favorites.

Pearl Street Mall

One of my favorite places to take pictures in Boulder is certainly the Pearl Street Mall. It's always teeming with life and crazy, unique, interesting people. I'm always particularly drawn to the street performers, as they provide such a surreal subject for such an unusual place. Having grown up near Boston and attended (some) college there, it always bring back fond memories of Quincy Market. For anyone that really likes just being somewhere public and soaking in the life around them, Pearl Street Mall is the place to go. I've always ben quite the people watcher, which maybe I thought was a little weird. Until I got a camera; then it's like, 'Alright, boku people watching.'








"Hey! Get outta my case, man!"


Haha. That's what's it looks like, but I assure you I had his permission, and we had a nice chat about music. Another of the reasons I love the mall is that I'm a musician, a drummer in fact. There's always musicians playing, and very frequently percussionists. It's fun just to listen some times, but the camera almost always comes out.










Two of my favorite musicians I have met so far would definitely be these two. Dominic is on the flugelhorn and Gabriel is on the sax. I asked Dominic if he played any conventional gigs, and he replied, "No way. All that work, for bad money? I just made 10 bucks for playing a girl happy birthday." Gabriel has one of the sweetest tones I've ever heard on a sax; and I've heard a lot. In this picture, Dominic is clearly enjoying it, while Gabriel take a solo.




That's all for now. I'm thinking I'll go back soon, and meet some more interesting people. When I'm in the mood for some alone time, I more often find myself going to the Mall and merely spending time with people I've yet to meet.