Katie and David were married on May 7th, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church in Burlington, North Carolina. Their photographers were Richie & Jamie Staggs of Jagg Photography. This is the second wedding I have filmed along side of them. They work so well together. I would encourage you to visit their website to see Katie & David’s wedding photographs. In fact, this wedding monologue if made of the footage I shoot during Katie & David’s formal photo shoot. I find I can capture some amazing footage during the formal photo shoot.
My traditional approach to filming a wedding involves two to three camera angles. I dedicate one of those camera angles to film from behind the altar toward the back of the chapel. This enables me to film the wedding party, bride, and groom as they walk down the aisle towards the altar. I love capturing the bride as she gracefully enters the closed doors and floats down the aisle. Having a camera at the altar area also allows me to capture the facial expressions of the bride and groom as they exchange vows. Most couples face the minister with their backs to the congregation, of family and friends.
I have learned to be very flexible and adaptable. The church Katie and David were married in has very specific restrictions on where videogrpahers and photographers can shoot from during the wedding. We were only permitted to film from the balcony. I was able to capture the footage of the ceremony using three cameras.
Receptions are exciting to film. When I film a young and energetic couple like Katie and David, I attempt to capture their enthusiasm. The lighting was rather dark in the reception hall. I filmed most of the reception using a Canon 5D Mark II. It handles low light very well.
Monica & Juan were married in Raleigh, North Carolina on April 24th at St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church. There wedding reception was at the Crabtree Marriot. Jason Armond was the photographer.
Traditional wedding videos feature footage of the wedding ceremony and the highlights of the reception. I film weddings using a cinemagraphic style. In other words, I try to give the wedding video the feel of a movie or film. I film the entire wedding ceremony and all of the traditional reception events, but I try to add a specific style and feel to that footage. There are several techniques I use to achieve this style. Adding footage taken before the wedding can give the film a sense of an introduction and build up toward the ceremony.
Another technique I use to enhance a wedding film is the use of footage taken after the ceremony, but prior to the entrance of the bride and groom at the reception. This creates a transition from the ceremony to the reception and gives me a chance to capture the excitement the bride, groom, family, and friends are experiencing.
Weddings are exciting to film. The industry is changing in many ways. Videographers are converting to DSLR videography. I am in the process. DSLR videography is the use of high-end photography cameras that film HD video. Another new trend is the short twenty-minute version of the wedding and reception. I can produce a wedding film in this style, but have not been requested to do so yet. All of my clients want the entire wedding ceremony on their wedding DVD and the traditional reception events. I am always experimenting with new styles, equipment, and techniques. I always include a montage video that features the highlights of the wedding ceremony and wedding reception. I set the video to the bride and grooms favorite music.
Nicole and Michael were married in Fuquay Varina at the Chateau Bellevie in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina. It was a georgous day for a wedding.This is a remarkable wedding venue for small weddings.
Getting Ready
Formal Photo Shoot
Love stories add significance and narrative to the traditional wedding DVD. I recently began the transition to DSLR videography. I filmed this footage with my Canon 5D. We shot all of the footage at Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina. The audio was recorded with wireless microphones.
