FACT:

When I polled my past clients, I found that approximately 85% of them DID NOT initially want to even consider hiring a videographer. I found that often times when we discussed this further, before seeing my work and understanding what I do differently, it really came down to associating ALL videography with interviews, excessively bright lighting, and cheesy uninteresting video when it was all said and done. If this sounds like a scenario you're experiencing, you're not alone.

FACT:

When I took a closer look at those same clients and their reaction after the wedding, or upon seeing their video, it seems that quite often these same clients ended up being my strongest advocates! You can read, or listen to, some of their testimonials, and many of these clients are available for you to talk to, if you'd like to get their take on it first hand. Please let me know if this is the case.

Why Videography?

I once read a terrific article that summed it up best. The article went through some of the points which I had always used as examples. Videography is one of the only two aspects of wedding planning which remains after the day is finished. It captures all the other aspects of wedding planning, and combines it into an entertaining and evocative artform which can be enjoyed in many different ways.

But one question really struck me...

"If you had to choose between having quality, artistic photography and quality, artistic videography of your grandparents' wedding, which would you choose?"

I believe that videography and photography are both equally essential to the day, and that they complement each other in wonderful and important ways. Fortunately we live in a world where both are possible. But it is an interesting question. Answering this question in either way will give you tremendous insight as to the importance of wedding videography in your planning efforts. My answer drove me to write an article on the subject, which can be found on the "in the news" page.

What is Videojournalism?

At Apogee, videojournalism combines the journalist’s practice of candidly capturing and documenting emotion with an artist’s romantic and creative eye to bring you a timeless and priceless work of art, one you’ll treasure forever.

It is an art form Videographers are artists

One of the first conversations I like to have with a potential client includes a lot of questions about the planning of the affair. Very often I'll ask about the locations, the setting, and the other wedding professionals which may have already been hired, because it gives me a good sense of the unique style that you, my potential client, are looking to achieve. Wedding videography, like every other aspect of wedding planning, is an art form. Likewise, each videographer you meet and talk to is an artist, each with his own style. Just as there are different caterers, bands, photographers, florists, all with their own ideas about what they can contribute to your wedding day, videographers are very much the same. Each wedding professional brings a different style to the table, to fit the individual needs and desires of their clientele.

There are many styles of wedding videography Here's mine

Videojournalism to me means capturing the day without interruption. I am able to capture the essence of the day, all the beauty and elegance in the naturally occurring moments, without synthesizing moments of my own. This holds for my methods of capturing your affair as well as putting it together in the final edited form.

With this in mind, I like to talk with couples, particularly those who aren't sure if they even want wedding videography, about the way I work. It's best summed up by the common thread in many of the testimonials I receive - "We didn't see you the entire time." I don't believe that the key to creating beautiful video is to create canned moments. I know the key is to capture the candid ones. This is my style in a nutshell. I like to think of myself as an observer, not as a participant. Conversely, when you watch my work, I believe you can almost imagine yourself as actually there, in the midst of the action, in the middle of a poignant moment.

Capturing couples in their natural expression of emotion toward each other and the special people and events surrounding them is the key to creating beautiful video. For me the beauty lies in showing couples a completely new side to their relationship, from a perspective never seen before.

What I don't do

I think one of the biggest and most unfortunate misconceptions about wedding videography is that it's all the same, and is all shot and edited the same way. One of the wonderful things about art is that each artist is free to bring his own style to the affair. I utilize no tripods during any part of the day except for the ceremony, in most cases, but never during a reception. You will never bump into a rolling tripod at an affair I'm documenting. You will also never see any flood lighting, pole lighting, or any other lighting than what is on top of my camera. Too much time and effort is spent on creating ambience, and I use nothing which would affect it at all, in any way.

I DO NOT DO INTERVIEWS. I've been a guest at weddings enough to have made interviews my own particular pet peeve. I don't want to shoot them any more than your guests, in most cases, want to give them. I believe my role as a videographer is to document naturally occuring moments, not to create them. I also do not ask your guests to smile and wave for the camera. With the time and energy spent in making your affair meet your satisfaction, you'll know your guests are having a great time by watching them as they're filmed naturally.

I do not use cartoons, animations, special effects or any other such method of capturing and holding our clients’ attention. All images used are of the bride and groom and their guests, and with the exception of certain pieces, each image used is from the wedding day. No movie stars will clap for you as you walk through the door into your reception (unless you're inviting some), and unless pyrotechnics are a part of your wedding planning, you won't see fireworks either :).