Color or Black & White?

Introducing a new package add-on... an Engagement Video!! I shot it down on Paradise Island when I was in the Bahamas filming the wedding for the other couple too.

I finished the color version with the bride's song choice, but then thought I would experiment with black and white too. The whole video made me think of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Games" so I used that song too for the black and white one. Now I'm torn which one to use as a demo on my site because I like both.

Leave a comment and let me know which one you like best!

COLOR:


BLACK & WHITE:

I need your vote!

Hey everyone! A few weeks ago I entered a music video contest for Shawn McDonald (details here), and today I found out they selected me as a Top 11 finalist! Now they are opening up the contest for everyone else to choose the Grand Prize Winner, so I would love to have your vote!

The link to vote is:

http://www.hearitfirst.com/shawnmcdonald/video.aspx

My video is the 3rd on the left side for "A Little More". The deadline to vote is August 30th and you can vote once per day. (You do have to register at the top of the website to vote, but it's just a quick sign up thing, I promise.)

Thanks so much for your help!!!! Love you guys! I have loved reading all your comments about the video on the previous blog!

Hello from Bahamas

Click above for a special message.

Photographer's links:
Tim Co. // Jason Groupp // Alisha Clark-Nelson

Back on land

I received the best compliment today from a new bride I booked from yesterday's bridal show:

"My fiance and I had already decided we weren't going to budget for videography at our wedding, but once we discovered you and saw your demo, I said, oh my gosh, I change my mind, I HAVE to have her film my wedding!"

Thanks Danielle for making my day!

In other news... I'm back from the incredible wedding extravaganza cruise to the Bahamas for Heena and Palmer. Stay tuned for more details about the wedding, something new coming to the blog, AND a special new package add on you're gonna LOVE!

Shawn McDonald Music Video

As much as I enjoy filming weddings, it's fun to do other creative videos from time to time. A few weeks ago I found out my favorite Christian artist, Shawn McDonald, was having a contest for his fans to take one of his songs and create a music video to it. I of course couldn't resist! One afternoon I stole my friend's boyfriend, borrowed a guitar from a neighbor, and took my camera down to the nation's oldest city, St. Augustine, for an incredibly God-filled day of shooting.

The song I chose is called "A Little More," and the lyrics encourage us to show a little more Jesus to those in need. We ended up running into these Jesus-believing homeless guys who were more than willing to participate once we told them about what we were doing. It was so heartwarming too because from Bradley playing the guitar with the homeless guys, people walking by were throwing dollars in the guitar case and by the end of the day we were able to raise some money to give to them!

But I think the most humbling moment was when... Earlier in the day, I was shooting Bradley just sitting against a wall playing by himself, and this one lady walks up and gives him a few quarters. At first I just laughed b/c he was just playing along to the CD player, not really playing. Well then later when we were actually playing with the homeless guys, this same lady comes up to the guys and starts jiving with them, and I stop and realize, wait a minute, she wasn’t a tourist, she’s homeless too. And my jaw dropped because, here she is, someone with nothing, yet she still gave to someone she thought was in need. It just really made me go, wow, what in the world do I have to complain about??

I hope you enjoy the video and I pray that it encourages you to show a little more Jesus to those along your journey.



p.s. I should find out by the end of the month if I won! Say a prayer for moi! :-)

Yoga Video

Captivating Studios has been signed on to produce a "hot" promo video for M Body Yoga. It will be showcased on their website to get people pumped about the studio and inform others of what power yoga is all about. I will be filming footage at their up and coming DJ Power Yoga Party on August 26, 2006, so be sure to come out and participate if you are in the Jacksonville area. I've personally attended a previous party with them, and if you are looking for a fun way to get in a kick butt work out, this is your answer! You can view more information and sign up on their website under "Workshops".

p.s. I designed this postcard for them also!

New videos coming soon!

Stay tuned for some fun non-wedding videos in the works! I'll be adding a section to captivating-studios.com under "Films" of other cool projects I've done or are working on in the near future for other clients.

Photography vs. Videography

Last night I was at a spa party where the topic of photography vs. videography came up when it comes to budgeting for your wedding. I definitely appreciate the art of photography and think it is a great way to complement videography, but I am finding out more and more that while photography is the first thing brides secure, videography is the last thing they try to squeeze into their budget. At the same time, I continue to hear more and more newlywed brides say the one thing they regretted afterward not budgeting for was a videographer to rewind and capture the laughter of unscripted moments, the small details of preparing for the ceremony, the emotions and sounds and feelings involved in the day, the intimacy of their vows exchanged.

Last night at the party, I think a recent bride said it best:

"I wasn't originally going to get videography, but I ended up having it because my sister bought it as a gift for me. And now I'm so thankful I had it because I watch my video over and over. I don't even look at my photo album."

To all the brides out there trying to prioritize your budget, remember this: You wouldn't walk the isle without your exquiste dress, why walk down the isle without a videographer capturing your every step as you walk toward the next chapter in your life?