Thanks for stopping by my blog! This is where I share with you all of the special moments that I capture as a photographer. I will also share with you things that are dear to my heart, and show you stories of weddings, events and lives that I've photographed. I hope you enjoy the weekly blog posts by wedding professionals that share more about why they do what they do, and give insight into their field of expertise.
To learn some more about me and see me live in action check out the awesome video in the about me section. I love hearing from my visitors, so feel free to comment on any post and share your thoughts on what is posted!
I’m so excited to launch off the first of the month with our first spotlight interview! We will be having weekly spotlight interviews with different Wedding professionals, so I hope you subscribe and check back for more on these fabulous people! I am personally totally in love with the work from Dare Dreamer Media! I am so blessed and thankful to have had my video promo done by them and I hope you enjoy it. Its embedded below, but also can be found on my About Section of my blog, and on the front page of my wedding website.
Ooh and I just found out that Ron has featured my video on his website, please go check it out at the Dare Dreamer website. What I love most about Ron and his film making is that he only films things that are moving and have emotion. I was drawn to that because I want to move my clients and capture emotion as well. If there was one thing that a Bride and Groom MUST HAVE at their wedding day, outside of the Photographer of course;) Is a Videographer/Cinematographer. Ron has a separate brand for his company that covers weddings and they are phenomenal! He is definitely the top notch photographer. He travels all over the world and would love to film your day! Here’s my interview with Ron Dawson of Dare Dreamer Media and Dawson Signature Films! By the way, his Love Story videos. they are so cool!
Tell me About yourself and your company, and how you got started into wedding videography?
I originally took film and video courses at a junior college in 1992. I had graduated from Cal Berkeley in ’91 as a business major and was working as a senior real estate appraiser at the time. I turned to filmmaking as a creative outlet. I also wanted to make a movie about a funny experience I had while in college. (It was only funny in retrospect, not so much while I was experiencing it. But, isn’t that how life is? Alan Alda’s character in Woody Allen’s “Crimes and Misdemeanors” describes comedy as “tragedy plus time.” Very true in this case. I never made the movie, but fell in love with filmmaking.
Over the years I did short films and fun videos just as a hobby. By 2000 I was working as a business marketing manager for Quicken, and getting more interested in film. By 2002 I decided to quit my job and pursue my passion as a filmmaker. So for 8 years now, that’s what I’ve been doing.
Our focus now is cause-driven and inspirational films. I do a lot of work for non-profits, but have also worked for companies like Adobe, Apple Computer, QuickBooks, and Fuller Seminary. And we still do weddings through our wedding division Dawson Signature Films. I love being able to use my God-given gifts to bless families and marriages with a cinematic re-telling one of the most important days of a couple’s life.
How long have you been filming for?
It’s been 18 years since I first took film and video courses at De Anza College in Cupertino, CA.
Was there a specific time in your life when you thought “THIS is what I am made to do!” If so, when and how?
The year I started my business was the year I had the feeling that “This is what I was made to do.” I was sitting in my family room with my first wedding client showing them a 7-minute highlights clip of their wedding movie. In that 7 minutes they laughed and they cried. It was really a spiritual experience to see the effect my work had on them.
Every filmmaker wants to make work that moves people. So many film students think they have to go to “Hollywood” to make important films. I make important films all the time. Whether it’s a PSA (public service announcement) raising the awareness of child sex trafficking, or it’s an emotionally moving wedding film, the movies I make are in many ways MORE important than what you see in Hollywood. They’re helping to strengthen marriages, inspire people, and/or motivate positive changes in our community. That being said, I do hope to one day make films that do reach millions of people to do the same. For now, I’m content reaching a few thousand people, one video at a time.
What do you love most about shooting video?
What I love most is taking disparate visuals, audio, and music, then piecing them together like a jigsaw puzzle to create a work of art that can move someone to tears, or hysterical laughter. That’s a powerful feeling. I also really like being on “set” with a fun couple doing a love story video.That’s where we go out with a couple, interview them about how they met and fell in love, then re-enact aspects of their relationship.We’ll then show it at the wedding reception. They are ALWAYS the talk of the wedding. Guaranteed to blow friends and family away. Here’s one of my favorite we did last year. (http://blip.tv/file/2300815)
What type of equipment do you shoot with?
We shoot all of our weddings now with the high quality HD DSLR cameras. Absolutely stunning quality that can’t be topped. Here’s an example of a wedding announcement video we shot last year in Canada (http://vimeo.com/5834747).
Here’s a highlights clip from a wedding in Napa, CA we shot last Fall (http://vimeo.com/9828720). And of course we naturally use wireless mics for crystal clear audio.
What makes you different from other filmmakers?
The #1 thing that makes me different is, well, me.The way I connect with my clients, direct them, make them feel comfortable. I’ve been doing this a long time, so no matter what kind of couple I work with, I can make them feel and look amazing. Besides that, if you want something more objective, I’ve co-written a book on video production that many people in the industry are now calling a “must read” for anyone entering this business; for two consecutive years I was named to the Event DV Top 25 event filmmakers in the world as voted by my peers; I’ve spoken all over the country at video and photography conventions and seminars; and I’m an international award-winner.
What is your favorite moment that you’ve captured? Do you have a clip of it?
One of my favorite moments we ever caught on tape was actually from one of the first weddings I ever shot (back in 2003). Unfortunately, I don’t have a clip of it. It was right after the father of the bride finished his toast. My wife and I were both shooting at the time and I was on the main camera. When the father of the bride finished and sat down, I stopped rolling. But my beautiful wife, armed with her powerful female intuition, kept rolling on the dad. As he sat down, he lowered his head and began to weep. He realized then and there he really was losing his little girl. His wife put her hand on his back to comfort him. It was such an amazing moment that ONLY could have been captured on video. I’ve since learned to keep rolling after emotional speeches and moments like that just in case.
What advice would you give couples researching your services?
When looking for a wedding videographer, it’s much like choosing a photographer. You want someone you’re going to connect with. Someone that makes you feel comfortable. You want someone you know you can trust to capture all those special moments, both audio and video. Look at their work and make sure it speaks to you. This is something that is going to last for generations to come. Make the right choice. And most importantly, GET IT! Whether you use me, or some other professional videographer, don’t make the mistake of NOT getting one. Surveys show that it’s the #1 regret of brides, not getting a pro videographer.
You also offer promotional videos for businesses, companies and organizations, why should they have a video made for their company and how can it impact their business?
The promotional videos we create are similar to our wedding films. They’re filled with emotion. They move people to take action. Also, studies show that video can significantly increase a conversion rates. And if you’re in the service business, a promo video is great for helping the prospective client get to know you and connect with you.
I love being a filmmaker and feel like I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to use my gifts to make real changes in the world. What more could a person ask for in a career.
Thanks Ron for showing us more about the passion of film making you have and also the importance of capturing those moments in real time. Please visit Ron and his websites and learn more about his films and current projects there.
Happy Friday everyone!! I hope your as happy as me that the weekend is here! I want to catch up on some pictures I’ve been taking lately, I have enjoyed the last week, my little precious daughter turned 4!!
Before I get into that, I need to be sure to mention something IMPORTANT!!
My Website/Blog Launch Sale that brought my $4500.00 package down to $2900, and gave $500.00 off my other packages, that expires at midnight tomorrow night! That means if your interested, you need to let me know and I can get you a proposal/contract sent to you and you can submit your deposit. The sale also applies for Seniors that bring the senior session down from $300 to $200. Be sure to get in on that ASAP!
We had her a skating birthday party, and my son and her had their first experience with skates!! See I secretly really miss skating! When I was in Middle School and High school I LOVED to skate. I use to go often when I would visit my dad on weekends, then when I was in high school I learned to Roller Blade and boy was it on, I LOVED roller blading. See my husband doesn’t really think I can do it, so I thought, OK I will prove him wrong at my daughter’s birthday party…well they did have rollerblades but I couldn’t get them on my feet, I’m not retarted but they just were cheap knock off’s and so I was trying to hurry and get back to my daughter’s party and not be tied up worrying about my skates so I just took the regular ones. Here’s me proving I can skate for my hubby!I know its not rollerblades, but I want to do it again, this motivated me. I WILL get into rollerblading!My kids liked skating but didn’t “Get it” yet, not fully. Logan my son he was doing really good on the carpet but avalyn just wanted to play! Anyway, Sorry I get carried away!Here’s a few pics from the bday party!
Don’t laugh to hard at my picture of me! I passed off the camera and so you know its hard sometimes for our friends to figure out the focus button, so i just made it funky and smallAlso, I was on skates taking the others, so don’t be too hard on me
Another event I photographed recently was for my church, they do a program called “Back to School Basics”, its where they have the kids in the community come to the church to receive free clothes, ear checks, eye checks and dental exams. They also had haircuts, and some other neat things. So I was photographing the day. Here’s one picture from that:
Then I also had the most fun yesterday, I got to photograph Emilie’s and Justin’s Senior Portraits! We had so much fun! It was REALLY hot, 100 degrees, but it didn’t stop Justin from looking good and Emilie Rocking it! Justin said he was shy at first but I think he was a great sport! I even picked up a few pointers for future “Guy” senior sessions, thanks Justin!Hope you like these little previews. More tomorrow!
After Justin’s casual Senior portraits in Little Five Points in Atlanta, we took a trip over to The Carter Center. There is absolute beauty to be seen there. Theres a fabulous Rose Garden, a beautiful garden area behind the museum that has a couple ponds and some gorgeous flowers in bloom. I’m grateful for the staff who had no problem with us shooting the pictures for Emilie and Justin there. More about them tomorrow!
I am so excited that my new blog and website are done! I hope you enjoy our new branding and design. Fabulous Jodi from Chocolate Cactus Designs did all of my branding, website and blog designs, she’s INCREDIBLE!! Totally recommend her!
Anyway, Enjoy the new stuff, leave me some love if you like!More soon!!!!
OH YEAH! And because I’m launching, I’m doing a LAUNCH SPECIAL!! You have to mention it when you email me, No later then July 31st! $500.00 off wedding packages, or choose my TOP Package that normally is $4500.00 that has boudoir, bridals, photobooth, albums, unlimited everything, engagements and more, for only $2900.00!! Thats cause I just turned 29! But for the launch I’ll throw in something special for each parent to have as keepsake mini book! For my seniors and portrait clients, if you have not already booked a session and want to book, all session fees will be reduced from $300.00 to $200.00 until the end of July as well. You must pay your retainer before July 31st for any session of any kind to take advantage!
So look forward to awesome stuff on the blog, cause we’ll be having Guest bloggers weekly! Can’t wait!
Have to include a picture! I love these recent father daughter pictures..
Feuza-Wow I am blown away by your fabulous new site and blog, seriously you brought all your branding elements together, the you will heart us and even the twitter, facebook icons shaped as hearts, BRILLANT!! so happy for your, it all came so nicely and concise,….congrats.
July 25, 2010 - 5:19 am
Jodi Bell -I am so glad you love it all. It’s been a lot of fun and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with and getting to know you!! XOXO
July 25, 2010 - 12:43 pm
Karen Shinkins-Congrats girl. Its looks great. Worth the wait I’d say.
July 26, 2010 - 5:09 pm
Michelle Standerfer-Looks great. Glad you love it and it was worth the wait.
July 26, 2010 - 10:16 pm
Katie Keller-This is so YOU and so unique. It’s whimsical and pretty. I love it! Great job Katrina this is a long time coming and you so deserve it.
Well I was thinking today, what do I want for my birthday? Im turning 29!! Can’t believe it, almost thirty! Its ok, 30 is the new 20 right? Thats what I hear at least! It doesn’t really matter to me, I am enjoying my age and the time I’m having in my life. Enjoying my beautiful baby’s and my husband who takes such great care of me! So I got to thinking, like I said, what did I want?? I want to book more weddings! So I decided that for the rest of July, I would do a special deal for the brides who book my top package by the end of July. They will receive it for a very very limited price. Lets just say its over ONE THOUSAND dollars off!! Email me if you want to hear more about it, NO LATER THAN JULY 30th, the retainer must be received.
So I saw this on facebook and wanted to know more about this lovely offer you have. Lilly suggested you to me a few months back, but I’ve never actually gotten the chance to even start planning details for the wedding till recently. The wedding itse;f is not even till next year Aug (so I have a TON of time before then). I would love to know a little bit more about you, your style, the process and your prices!
The way I connect with my clients, direct them, make them feel comfortable. I’ve been doing this a long time, so no matter what kind of couple I work with, I can make them feel and look amazing. Besides that, if you want something more objective, I’ve co-written 
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