How long have you been filming weddings?

My very first wedding was in 2007 when a friend asked me to film her wedding because she knew how much I loved playing with my camcorder (this was before my first iPhone).  I was always making fun videos with friends.  It wasn't until years later that I started taking filmmaking seriously.  A professor challenged the class to make documentary films.  I purchased new equipment and started learning on my own.  That led to a lot of fun films and contests with friends and eventually, making training videos professionally for my at the time career with the government.  After a couple of years of now fun training meetings, work decided to send me to our national headquarters for my agency to develop my video production skills.  I worked at a professional satellite tv studio that broadcast training films to over 65k employees.  In 2015, one of my coworkers asked me to film their wedding.  From there, I kept meeting people who saw my work and I began professionally booking wedding film projects.  I love it and I take a lot of pride in my work and will do the best I can for you because I know how important it is.

What kind of equipment do you use?

I have a couple Panasonic Lumix GH5s, a Lumix G9, a Lumix G85, and a Panasonic S5 (full-frame) with lots and lots of precious lenses for all the right angles!  Each photographer/videographer works with two cameras with different focal lengths to capture different looking shots and I use a fifth camera on a tripod that gets moved around infrequently.  The cameras are all capable of beautiful color profiles and high color bit rates as well as more frames per second for buttery smooth slow motion, and up to a 4k picture size.

For audio, I have use two Zoom H1s (one for inside the groom's jacket with a lapel mic) and one to capture background noise, audience clapping and laughing, etc.  I also use a Tascam DR-10L (white) and a thigh strap to hold it in place (I give verbal instructions and let you and your bridesmaids figure this one out on your own, but am just a room away if you have questions).  The white mic cord is then routed up the inside of your dress and taped facing you.  Finally, I use a Zoom H6 to plug into the main soundboard or DJ booth to record the different channels of audio for music, the speeches and toasts, your vows, the officiant, etc.  The bride and groom hidden on body mics record this too but redundancy is the name of the game on a day that is so important and only happens once.

The Lumix cameras have excellent in body stabilization, but I also have a gimbal if I want to add that in.

I also have a couple adjustable temperature LED light panels for low light conditions, speeches, and the dance floor and a single flood light that lights up the faces on the dance floor just enough to capture the fun without ruining the fun vibe.  Plus, it looks so cool shining through the background of the shots.

Do you offer any discounts?

Sure!  As a veteran owned and operated business, I am always willing to help another veteran, first responder, medical industry professionals, and teachers.  I also sometimes am able to offer discounts at random or through partnership referrals.  Just ask!

Do you do both photography and wedding films?

I have found that weddings require a lot of focus and planning ahead of time to have the best possible outcome.  Because of this, I personally prefer to either do photographs or wedding films, but not both, by myself, at the same time.  Managing both at the same time may degrade the overall quality of shots for one or the other.  I have excellent relationships with other filmmakers and photographers nearby and am happy to work with any that you choose.  Please contact me as soon as possible to inquire about my availability once you know your wedding date and location.

 Do you travel to film weddings?

Sometimes, yes.  There is no added transportation or fuel costs for weddings close to the Turlock area (Manteca to Merced), and minimal fuel costs for weddings within driving distance.  Weddings farther away will have an added cost for fuel, airfare, rental car or rideshare trips, and a hotel or airbnb.  We will generally fly Southwest and prefer a hotel or airbnb that is comfortable, safe, and clean.  The sooner the trip is booked, generally, the cheaper it will be.