Let me start this blog by saying I love videography, and I love working alongside photographers at wedding events. That being said I would like to announce that I will be adding limited photography services to my business. I will not be offering photography at weddings currently. What I will be offering is photo sessions like the featured piece below that I recently did with the Park family. By adding styles like  senior portraits and generally all type of non-wedding day photography I'll be able to meet new clients and grow my creative style further and in more detail. My reason for not wanting to add wedding day to my portfolio has a lot to do with my creative style.

Lets talk about what makes each photographer / videographer unique in what the do. My concept of work is about telling the story of you in a way that is you. When you look back at your time spent working with me, I don't want you to remember the pain staking 20 minutes it took to get one pose just right, for one perfect photo. Instead I want to find the perfect photos in the moments that you'll experience spending time with the ones you love. My work should allow you to relive the details of a memory made, instead of feeling like I carefully crafted an image that doesn't represent who you are. In the case of weddings, I have great partnerships with existing photographers like Amber McWhorter, Alyissa Landri, and Stephanie Lanni, these ladies know how to capture wedding photos on the day including those posed moments that most couples expect. My style tailors to the free spirit of interacting with each other and showing the emotions and connections you have that only come from genuine love for each other. I feel that I can capture that sentiment in the form of individualized photography sessions, and through video on wedding days. It has never failed while shooting wedding videography I am often asked what do you want us to do....? My answer has always been simple, forget Im here and do what you want to do. Let me capture that, photo or video, its doesn't matter those are the moments that matter the most, after all isn't that why you hired me? (Or are about too....?) Want to get a better understanding of what I mean by all of this? Great, check out my photo gallery, watch some of my highlight films, I believe the my approach will speak for itself, but if it doesn't check out my the rest of this blog and let me tell you about my connection experience shooting with the Park family below. 

If you've been reading along with the blogs as they come out you are already aware that my #1 current professional goal is to service a Disney Wedding Event. I can not begin to stress how difficult of a process this has proven to be. I have had brides reach out to me, schedule phone calls with me at their request, and then not answer the phone or return messages. I have contacted any existing vendor I can find with evidence of having been involved in a Disney event. It amazes me the reach which the current service providers have. There are international service providers booking multiple trips into Orlando each year to manage weddings, yet can't manage to find a single point of contact locally. The secrets of being considered a Disney-level wedding vendor are vast and met at every turn with a lack of information and closed doors. ​

Let's take a look at the first wedding I booked here in Florida. This entry is going to be both a review of the event and a showcase about the venue Paradise Cove. 

Where to start with Dessirea & Jason? Thats an easy one.... the only thing these two might love more than each other is all their exotic pets. Check out their instagram @DeGrandeFarms, they have some of the most unique pets you'll ever see. Now as far as the wedding itself, such an incredibly fun bride and groom. Jason & Dessirea gave me the chance to complete my first wedding here in Florida. It was a feeling of relief when I booked their project, because it meant I was back on my feet and running in business again. It was incredible to be able to capture the events of the day knowing that not all the guest could attend due to the current state of covid. I do remember seeing the size of the overall wedding and being concerned about how much reception party footage I was going to be able to record. Boy was I wrong, the entire wedding brought so much energy to the dance floor all night long that I ended up editing an extra social media trailer just to showcase the party itself. Check out the photo below, to this day the use of peacock feathers as part of the floral display is still on of the prettiest designs I have seen. 

Paradise Cover, Orlando FL - One of the coolest things about starting over here in Florida is learning all the venues. I would have never expected to find a picture perfect beach setting in the middle of the Orlando theme park scene. This venue is a hideaway located on the shore of Lake Buena Vista that can handled the entire wedding day from prep to ceremony to reception. The most unique feature is the boat entrance / exit option. It was so awesome filming my amazing couple jump on a boat and disappear out into the dark lake lit only by moonlight to end the night. As you can see from the pictures below the ceremony location is absolutely stunning with a water front view and sandy beach for your post ceremony portrait sessions and video showcase segment. My favorite part of the entire venue has to be the twinkle string lights that hang above the outdoor patio area. The DeGrande's shared a beautiful moment under the stars for one of their dances, and Paradise Cove was the perfect backdrop for everything. 

Wow, what a busy couple weeks it has been. Started just before Memorial Weekend with a wedding in Ocala, then a trip out to Vero beach for the holiday, followed by a style shoot at the Hilton Downtown Tampa. That is just 5 days of it. I've got multiple photo shoots this week, and Danielle and the kids are off to South Carolina. The nice part is that this will free me up for a week of uninterrupted editing. That being said with travel starting back up and a little bit of time on my side, Ive had to promise Austin to also put out a Martin's Mark family vlog again. It has been over a year now since I made time for the last one.  Another personal activity I've struggled to find time for lately is drone flight. Thats why it was so great when last weekends wedding added it onto the videography contract. (See what I did there, what a segway)

Drone regulations are an important part of being able to offer service as part of my investment options. Recreational based FAA rule exemptions disappear the minute  intended use becomes for commercial gain, such as operating for pay at a wedding. This means that I am required to take and pass a test stating I can operate safely and know the rules. I am happy to say I did pass that test, but like to point out that this is one of the things to consider when booking a wedding videographer. I'll be writing a blog soon about the cost of quality service, and this is a great example of that. It cost to have a vendor that knows the rules, and follows them. Sure it may never be a problem to fly a drone illegally at your wedding, but what happens when it is your wedding and that's the one time it is a problem. With me, you'll know your guest are safe and the images will be beautiful, so considering adding it on to your videography service contract.  ​