FAQs
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a hunger for learning. I'm always learning something new in both my field and just about any others I'm curious about at the time. Currently I'm subscribed to INC. magazine (business) and American Cinematographer magazine and frequently browse wedding blogs, other creatives work, and listen to interviews and podcasts. Anytime I discover a new "look" I like I whip out my camera and practice on either my wife, myself or some friend/victim.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
My advice would be: 1.) Take your time getting to know the video/photo people you want to hire. Their personality plays a huge part in how your wedding day will go with them. I tend to be more laid-back and have alot of fun with people, but can also professionally take control of a situation if it gets out of hand or time is running out to make sure we get the shots that need to be taken. Decide what personality works best for you. 2.) Create a mood-board either on pinterest or physically to visually see what styles your attracted to and have an open mind when your talk to the photographer/videographer about how you can make that happen. I tend to go with natural lighting and posing that have a more natural/organic/free-spirited look and tend to have alot of candids and black and white. But I also understand the importance of formal posing and do include those as well. 3.) Decide how important your film/photos are to you as you begin budgeting. How much you have to spend will greatly determine the quality of experience and work you will receive. I always, always, always, do my best no matter how much I'm paid. So for me, less of a budget usually means less time at the wedding and/or less product you will receive, NEVER less quality. 4.) Decide how traditional/creative you want your pictures. Some people want the security of knowing EXACTLY what they will receive from a videographer/photographer. Others like really outside-the-box approach and look. I like to do a bit a both. I do my best to include traditional poses and settings as well as change it up a little in editing style, lighting, or tilting my camera off to the side or whatever I'm feeling at the time. This way you don't loose security or creativity.
- What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
I would say I would want them to know how important to me the relationship and comfort level we have to have with each other is. We will literally be together for over 8 hours in a time that is very emotional and intense. We HAVE to get along. We HAVE to have good professional chemistry. You HAVE to trust me to pose you and work well with you so you look your best in your video/photos. All that begins with a good relationship. That's why I so strongly believe in meeting my clients in a face-to-face situation either over skype or a [hipster] coffee shop. I want us BOTH to be eager to see each other on your wedding day. Great work cannot trump bad chemistry. As far as professionally,I think I wish people knew how much time it takes behind-the-scenes to prepare and edit a wedding. For almost all vendors, your paying for preparation and "day-of" services. For the videographer/photographer thats when the work has just begun. I usually spend more than double the combined time I spent before and during the wedding in editing and packaging to make sure what you get is incredible.