I’m hear to say, “Don’t worry Brides!” Most of today’s quality weddings videographers use cameras that require no extra or very little lighting (and when they do need extra light it is in cases were it is extremely dark). Most videographers have opted for cameras with changeable lenses that have amazing optics and are great in low-light. Footage captured in low light can even be brightened up in the editing room, too.

Someone told me this story about David Bailey (one of the best British photographers – worked for Vogue and famous for his work with the Beatles) He was visiting a photography school and was asked what type of light he preferred using. He responded “Available light”. The class responded, “You mean daylight”. He said “No, available light”. Confused the class asked if he meant tungsten, or flash. He repeated “No, available light!”. “Any bloody light that’s available, I’ll use it!!” – The moral of the story – you can take great photos (and video:) in any light if you know what you’re doing.

So no fears ladies, set the mood. Be romantic with the subtle glow of candles! Be modern and have fashionable colored lights compliment your color theme! Give your hall that vintage feel with glass chandeliers! Have torches and lanterns light the night of your outdoor wedding! Your wedding will still be captured beautifully!

Jen the bride in this trailer film is one of the brides that inspired me to write this blog. She was worried her “dim” lighting would be a problem for the video and that we would need extra lighting. It wasn’t and we didn’t!

The video above is in HD. Please press PLAY then PAUSE to allow video to fully load for best viewing experience.

The Artists
Photography: Eric & Katie Smyklo
Florist: Joel’s Flower Shoppe
Bakery: International Bakery
Venue/Caterer: Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel
Coordinator: Michelle Schrimper
DJ: Matt Barnes

The Artists
Photography:Rachel Gracie
Coordinator:Victoria Benz
Caterer: Madeline’s Catering
Band & DJ: Moondance & Encore Signature Events
Salon: Harry Bruno Salon
Officiant: Pastor Jack Porcello
Florist: Kittelberger
Bakery: Premier Pastry

Documentary Films are edited as a longer playing video. These normally run between one to two hours in length (it usually depends on the length of your events). The order in which the events happened during the day is how they will occur in the film.

Cinematic Films have a shorter total playing time, anywhere from about 15 minutes to 30 minutes (all depending on the film maker). The content is attention-getting. Film makers using the cinematic style will change the order of events in a creative and artistic manner.

So what’s your style? Watch the sample films below and find out.

CINEMATIC

DOCUMENTARY

Here are some vendors that made their wedding day possible.
Ceremony: Blessed Sacrament Church, Rochester, NY
Reception: Penfield Country Club, Penfield, NY
Photography: Awelsh Photography Rochester, NY
DJ/Emcee: Whirlin Disc DJ, Rochester, NY
Bakery: Vanilla Swirl, Fairport, NY

Rochester NY Weddings, Rochester New York Wedding Videography, Rochester Wedding, Rochester Wedding Videographer, Northeast Weddings, New York Wedding Videographer, Webster Wedding Video, WNY Wedding Video, CNY Wedding Video

The thought in the past was that it was no big deal. Everyone uses unlicensed music in their wedding films, and the recording industry isn’t going to do anything about it.  Recently however the music industry has been quick to crack down.  Joe Simon of Joe Simon Films found out the hard way, when he was hit with a law suit in the sum of $150,000. (Read more about it here)

We admit that in the past we too have used copyrighted music in our videos and figured it would be fine, until we were contacted by a recording artist demanding residuals.  In the end we worked it out with the artist, but after that experience decided to change our music policy.  Will we loose some couples that are dead set on using a certain song?  Possibly, but ultimately it is not only the right thing to do for our business (so that we don’t have to pay $150,000), it is just simply the right thing to do.  We are actually glad it happened, because it has pushed us into the right direction and made us a better business.  Artists deserve to be compensated for their work, and just because they are successful doesn’t give us the right to steal it.

As we have begun searching for licensed music amongst unknown artists, we have been surprised just how much talent is out there.  It really has made our work that much more original.  In the end though it’s up to you.  Do you want your wedding highlight to be timeless and unique or do you want your wedding video to be the same as the 1000 other wedding videos out there?

When you think wedding in NY state, you think usually think May – September. But it seems, some brides are thinking out of the box when it comes to picking the date for their wedding. More and more brides are scheduling there weddings in the winter, on or near holidays, which in the past was a no, no.

We recently filmed a December wedding and it was stunning (and the decorations were all done by the bride! Wow! )  The decorations were beautiful and had a Christmas, winter ice and white light theme. The church and reception venue were all decked out for Christmas making it seem as though they were decorated entirely for just her wedding. The color theme was red, black and white (modern, fresh and stunning!-not your everyday color picks). Rather than give details of all the unique ideas she had, I’ll let you see for yourself below. However, one of my favorite ideas was how she packaged her favor. It was a small gift wrapped in a beautiful black and white paper with a bright red bow on top. Pictures: Top row, left to right: favor, 1st center piece, 2nd center piece. Bottom row, left to right: card box, table with candles, a cute snow couple .

We also filmed a wedding on “Black Friday” (a holiday to some). But why not? Your families in town, have a great party and get married at it. I recently read a blog about a couple having their wedding on New Years Eve. How fun! Your guest can dance till the ball drops and their will be no question about who you’ll be kissing at midnight:). How about having your wedding on the 4th of July? All the fireworks will be just for you and your hubby.

Five Reasons to Have a Holiday Wedding

5. Your family will be in town anyway and they won’t be saying, “we were just up there for the holidays” when they get a summer invitation.

4. You get more bang for your buck. Vendors and venues are more willing to give discount for weddings for dates they aren’t normally booked on, like holidays.

3. Venues are usually decorated for holidays, so it will seem like you decorations flow from outside and continue into your banquet room.

2. Everyone is already looking for a party to go to anyway. Why not make it your wedding?

1. No one will ever forget your anniversary.