What have you been up to?Mark: Enjoying life! A lot of my day is taken up with phone calls and e-mail just staying in touch with people so they don't think I dropped off the map. When I'm not doing BMX stuff, I've been shooting photos for corporate clients around Raleigh. There's a local skatepark about 5 miles from my house, but it's not the most fun. I got spoiled living five minutes from the Etnies park in California. I need to go to Greenville more often to ride Nyquist's place? it's amazing. Other than that, trying to keep up with my son Ethan keeps me busy.
Do you miss the office in sunny California?
Mark: I miss the people for sure. That's a very fun office to work in to say the least. The only thing is that when you're in that office the business of BMX has to be 100% of your life. When someone gets a new sock sponsor it's your job to know when, why, for how much, and how does it affect the industry. Now I can still be part of the BMX world but I mainly get to concentrate on shooting good riding, minus the drama.
Who are some of your clients?
Mark: I'm lucky to still do stuff for Ride, and I work with Bell, Maxxis, Haro, DC, Staff, and a few more BMX companies regularly, plus some local corporate clients.
Do you like being a one-man team?Mark: Yes, it's fun. There are times when you wish there was someone to joke around with, but with e-mail, instant messaging, and cell phones, it's real easy to still have contact with real people. Plus if I need to joke around, Leigh Ramsdell and the Eastern guys are only 20 minutes away. Leigh has actually been my assistant on some corporate stuff, which makes it even more fun.
Have you experienced rough times yet?
Mark: Yes and no. I have high goals, but that forces you to work harder. I'm a bit of a workaholic, so when the phone and e-mail isn't blowing up I get a little worried. I've been lucky to only have a few slow weeks, but I have to keep reminding myself that that's why we moved to the East Coast in the first place.
When do we get to see you at a BMX event (in Europe) again?Mark: I'd like to come back for sure. One summer I went through customs at Gatwick so many times that one of the security guards remembered me. I'm five hours closer now; all I need is a reason and a plane ticket! No more HDT, though... I'm getting too old.
Last words/thanks:
Mark: Thanks to everyone I've worked and shot photos with. The last 14 years have been pretty incredible. When your job description is basically "Travel the World with Your Friends" it's hard to complain.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.