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Photographer's Power Lunch

Earlier this month you may recall that I had the opportunity to video tape a power lunch with some the most prominent and talented photographers in southern California. The lunch was organized by Dane Sanders, creator of the world renown "Simple Photo Minute" and Simple Photo TV. I have been workinig with Dane to produce some of his Simple Photo Minute episodes. This was the first. If you're interested in meeting some of the most talented wedding photographer around, watch this video.

Click image below to play.

The Power List

• Jim Kennedy (back left)
• Ryan Phillips (next to Jim. Ryan's in Santa Barbara)
• Jules Bianchi (green sweater, left side, in shades. Jules is an LA girl)
• Dane Sanders (next to Jules)
• The "totally rad" Boutwells (couple in back right row)
• The Becker (cool dude in blue, dead center)
• Jessica Claire (red blouse)
• Erin Reed and Mark Adams (in black, long beard) of LaCour Photo (Atlanta)
• and last but not least, the gracious host, Mr. Joe Photo himself the "rock star" kneeling in front.

technorati tags: Simple_Photo_Minute, Simple_Photo_TV, Dane_Sanders, The_Becker, Jules_Bianchi, Jessica_Claire, The_Boutwells, LaCour_Photo, Jim_Kennedy_Photography, Ryan_Phillips_Photography, Joe_Photo, Cinematic_Studios, Wedding_Photography, Orange_County_Photography

A Video Valentine

My wife is an amazing woman. On this, our fifth Valentine's Day as husband and wife, I wanted to do something special. What is more special that a public confession of one's love. And what is more public than a blog for the whole wide world to see. So, I'm going to use this Valentine's Day blog post to honor my wife: Tasra Dawson.

A single mom for seven years, Tasra and I met on ChristianCafe.com in the winter of 2001 (December 22). What is so cool about our meeting is that she contacted me a month after I had cancelled my subscription. However, since they forgot to take down my profile, she was able to see it, and the rest, as they say, was history. (Hmmm, as an old friend of mine used to say, "Was it odd...or God?") From the start we knew we were right for each other, and on August 3, 2002, we became husband and wife.

A Very Special Christmas Gift
For Christmas 2003 I made Tasra a tribute video comprised of testimonies and special messages from dear friends and family. It was quite a feat sneaking out of the house and arranging clandestine meetings. It was very "cloak and dagger." (She's pretty smart though. I think she knew I was up to something towards the end.)  What resulted was about a 30 minute video that had five chapters focusing on each part of her life.  I want to share with you here the end credits sequences.

These segments showcase everyone who contributed to the video, all summarizing why they love Tasra so much.  What's so cool looking back is that these messages were made shortly after she finished writing her first (unpublished) book in just ONE MONTH for National Novel Writing Month (some of her old teaching colleagues referene it towards the end of the first video). It's really amazing to hear loved ones wish her well at what was the beginning of her writing career and to see her now and all she's accomplished: a published book with great reviews; two television appearances (NBC and ABC); speaking gigs; book signings; a hugely popular blog; and most important, positively changing and affecting the lives of other women with her words and encouragement.

Video #1: Friends

This first section of the credits features close friends from church, and old colleagues from the school  she taught at in San Jose, Ida Price Middle School. In the video you'll not only see scenes from our own wedding movie, but also home movie footage I took while I visited her during her time as a teacher in WA (during our engagement). The kids at the beginning are her very dear students from WA. She was more than just a teacher, she was also a basketball and track coach, a dance group leader, a confidante, a mentor, and a friend (I know she still misses them). The shots of Tasra, Imahi, and me dancing near the beginning is from our wedding celebration party held in San Luis Obispo (where Tasra and I had our first date). Enjoy!

Click image below to play (3:28)

Video #2: Family and Dear Friends

The final segment of the video is comprised of messages from family members, as well as some of her closest and longest-lasting friends. I even got one of our very first wedding video clients (who also happened to be first dance clients) to say something. Naturally, it culminates with my own personal message of love.

Click image below to play (5:08)

Tasra. I just want you to know how proud I am of you. You're an amazing woman (oh wait, I said that already. Well, I can't say it enough). I can't believe you do all that you do. Mother. Author. Coach. Publisher. Blogger.  I am blessed and honored to be your husband. Thank you for being a terrific mom. Thank you for being a fantastic and supportive wife. Thank you for keeping our house from going insane. Thank you for encouraging my dreams. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for making these past five years so special for me. I look forward to our future. "This is our year!" :-) God bless. ILY...FE.

technorati tags: Valentine's_Day, Love, Tribute, Wedding_Video, Real_Women_Scrap, Nanowrimo

Cocktail Hour at Fogarty Winery

Friends Forever

Here's another clip from Alex and Lily's wedding at Fogarty Winery. It's a very cool cocktail hour video that also incorporates more audio from their friends' terrific toasts and messages. I was so moved by how dear Alex and Lily are to their friends. We titled their wedding movie "BFF" (short for "Best Friends Forever"). It's meant to reflect the relationship between Alex and Lil. But it can just as easily apply to the relationship between them and their friends. Enjoy!

Click image below to play. (3:00)

technorati tags: Fogarty_Winery, Jesse_Leake_Photography, Wedding_Cinematography, Wedding_Video, Cinematic_Studios

Photo Fabulous in the OC

This week while in Southern California supporting my wife at the Craft and Hobby Association World's Fair (where she was promoting her book), I had the opportunity to video tape a power lunch with some the most prominent and talented photographers in "The OC" (with "guest star" appearances  by LA, Santa Barbara and Atlanta photographers as well). The lunch was organized by Dane Sanders, creator of the world renown "Simple Photo Minute" and Simple Photo TV. I discovered Dane and his intriguing video series after seeing an episode on Jules Bianchi's blog. I contacted Dane and volunteered to help him kick up the production values a notch.

Simple Photo Minute is a video podcast series wherein Dane interviews fellow photographers to share their secrets to success. If you think about it, the whole concept is quite revolutionary. He's in essence meeting with his competition and getting them to share what they've learned with other photographers who are in essence their competition. The spirit of camaraderie and gratitude was inpirational.

This lunch I shot will actually be made into a series of episodes about the power of networking. In addition to "airing" on Simple Photo TV, we'll also debut the episodes on our Event Professionals Resource blog, and a special edition of it will air on our soon to be released new online TV network (more about that in another post).

Ron films "The Becker" and the Boutwells

The Power List

If you're getting married in Southern Cali (or Atlanta), these are names who should be on your list of photographers to check out. Each one is a leader in the field of wedding photography each has a unique style. It was an honor and a pleasure to film them and meet them. I look forward to the opportunity to shoot one of your weddings alongside them one day.

• Jim Kennedy (back left)
• Ryan Phillips (next to Jim. Ryan's in Santa Barbara)
• Jules Bianchi (green sweater, left side, in shades. Jules is an LA girl)
• Dane Sanders (next to Jules)
• The "totally rad" Boutwells (couple in back right row)
• The Becker (cool dude in blue, dead center)
• Jessica Claire (red blouse)
• Erin Reed and Mark Adams (in black, long beard) of LaCour Photo (Atlanta)
• and last but not least, the gracious host, Mr. Joe Photo himself the "rock star" kneeling in front.

Photos by Jules Bianchi (and these were taken with her little personal snap and shoot camera. Imagine what she can do with her "big guns.")

technorati tags: Simple_Photo_Minute, Simple_Photo_TV, Dane_Sanders, The_Becker, Jules_Bianchi, Jessica_Claire, The_Boutwells, LaCour_Photo, Jim_Kennedy_Photography, Ryan_Phillips_Photography, Joe_Photo, Cinematic_Studios, Wedding_Photography, Orange_County_Photography

Top 5 Excuses Brides Don't Get Video—4 and 5

#4. Too Obtrusive

A common excuse I hear why brides don't get a professional videographer is because they're afraid the videographer will be too obtrusive. This is meant to be an intimate and personal time. The last thing they want is a big camera and bright lights. Or some guy in an ugly Hawaiian shirt going around asking the guests corny questions.

Well, there may have been a time when this stereotype existed (and heck, sadly there are still some videographers out there that fit this description), but this is no longer a fear that need stop you from getting a pro videographer. First, today's professional digital camcorders are small and compact, yet still deliver stunning images. And cameras like the ones we use (the Sony PD150 and 170) take amazing images in the lowest of lit conditions. This isn't to say we never use an on-camera light, but when we do, it's done from a distance to illuminate a large area.

Here's a photo of me getting a shot of a bride and groom (photo by Ann Hamilton). Now, does this look obtrusive to you?

Second, we're trained to be aware of our presence and respect the personal space of the guests. With our telephoto lenses and wireless mics, we can get the action even when shooting from far away. This is another reason why you need to use a PROFESSIONAL. Uncle Charlie is not going to have the equipment or the training necessary to capture the memories from this special day in a way that is not unobtrusive.

#5. No Budget

Sadly, this is one excuse I hear all too often. There just isn't any more room in the budget for a professional videographer. What I actually see more often is that it's a matter or priorities, not buget. I recently read an article in a popular wedding mag that listed a real couple's wedding here in the Bay Area. The grand total was over $60,000, but there was no video.  However, this couple did find enough money in their budget to spend $3,000 on the open bar. So, getting their loved ones drunk and tipsy was more important than a professional video recording of the most important day of their life. Interesting.

The rate for videography runs the gammit. There are some packages as litte as $1,000. For the more artistic and "cinematic," rates may go as high as $10,000 or more. You will get what you pay for, but at least you should get something. It's just too important not to prioritize it.

Ask yourself this: if you had the opportunity to see either an album of your great grandparents wedding, or a video, but you could only choose one, which would it be? Something to think about. Don't cheat your children and grandchildren out of not only seeing what you looked like, but seeing what you were like.