Bicycles of Europe

As Melanie and I toured around Europe, I was fascinated by the wide variety of bicycles in every city we visited. It seems Europeans view bikes as a simple way to get around the smaller streets. No gas. No fuss. Just good ole leg muscle and personality to boot!

Yeah for Us!

It's not often that we toot our own horns but I just wanted to say congrats to my wife for winning, not only first place in Children's and Unclassified categories at a print contest for Metro Professional Photographers Association, she also took home a trophy for First Time Entry, High Point Case (basically, she had the highest points overall for first time entrants). I am so proud of her. I also picked up a first place ribbon in Electronic and Women's. We have included the photos below:

To my wife.

The website is up and it looks amazing! I do need to say a big, "THANKS" to my wife Melanie for building our new website. She worked really hard over the past couple of days and it shows. I love you and I am so happy I can share this dream with you.

Michael the race car driver!

My wife got me the best birthday present ever! I have talked about racing cars for years, and on March 14th this dream came true. It was the anniversary of our wedding, perfect. The wet track conditions could not wipe the smile off my face. Driving one of my dream cars that fast was an unreal experience that I will remember forever. I love that my wife listens to what my dreams are and helps make them happen. Thank you babe, I love you.

Stella

Here is my baby, Stella. I thought this image of her was so funny I had to post it. It is like she is saying "GIve me the dog bone, NOW!"

I love my wife.

Its late, I just got back from a wedding in Norman. All I can think about is how happy I am that Melanie goes with me to weddings. She is my second shooter, dress fixer, and people getter. But, its more than that we get to share in someone's moment and it always makes me think of our wedding. How beautiful she was that night, and how lucky I am that she is my wife. Melanie thank you so much for coming with me to weddings, and for helping me with this crazy dream that is Hyden Photography. I love you.

I am blessed, Thank you.

This will be my first ad. It will be in the June 11th issue of the Mustang Times Paper. I feel blessed that my business has grown without advertising and without taking out a business loan. Thank you to everyone that has told someone about Hyden Photography.
Word of mouth is a powerful tool and I am so thankful to everyone that has had a part in spreading the Hyden Photography word around. This work I do is not just a job; instead, it is who I am. I am a photographer. I live to capture moments for poeple: families, seniors, babies, engagements, parties, weddings, or just everyday life.
I take great pride in knowing that I will be the one who gets to freeze moments in a person's life. So that they can go back and relive it over and over again. That is the power of photography. It shouldn't be just images but images that make you feel. So, I am greatly excited to be running my first ad. I hope everyone the best and just ask everyone to keep spreading the word.

A Special Thing

Ok, first, most of you don't know but I am a youth leader at my church, Life Church. Yeah, that church with the movie screens. We had opened up a new campus a year ago and it was a great time for me to get started in serving in the youth. It has been a blast. We have grown so fast, we started with about 100 kids and now we have over 350 each Wed. night. It has given me the chance to help lead a small group that meets on Sunday nights. The guys in this group are my boys and they know it. They call me about what struggles they are facing or even just to say "What UP." Well, this has all led to the most special thing anyone has ever asked of me. This weekend, we are having our baptism bash and Nathan, one of my boys, has asked me to be the one to "dunk" him. How cool it that?! It means alot to me that he would want me to be part of this big event in his life. All of the guys in my group mean alot to me and it has been one of best experiences in my life to see them grow in Christ.

Back from my honeymoon

Our honeymoon was a blast. We went to Santa Barbara for five days. The flight from LAX to Santa Barbara was windy. We landed almost sideways, I wanted to kiss the ground when we landed. Once we arrived to the Hotel Oceana, we received a room upgrade. The room was unreal. It was only one street away from the beach with the ocean view from our window. We were surprised to find out that the food in Santa Barbara was cheap. We ate for around $20 a night and had some of the best food I've ever had. I can't image a better honeymoon or a better wife it was truly a wonderful time. Here are few images I photographed while in Santa Barbara.

I'm getting married in 11 days

Hey everyone just wanted to pass on how truly happy I am. I will be marrying the love of my life on March 14th. I can't wait. She brings a happiness to me that is unmatched by anyone I have ever met. For the first time in my life(photographing over 200 wedding) I now realize all that is involved with planning a wedding. WOW! I also know that this has changed my view and the way I will do wedding photography from now on. I can't explain it. I think it just changed me. The love I have for Melanie is what I want to show everyone when I do their wedding photographs. Weddings are no longer just a paycheck but instead a wonderful expression of love and commitment.