Many couples have asked me whether or not they should hire a videographer for their wedding. Not being a videographer, I found it difficult to address this question. So who better to step in and offer some advice on this topic than a videographer? The very talented Oren Arieli of Awesome Shot Studios had the following advice to share

I’ve been a professional videographer since 1988. I believe that in that time, I’ve met some of the most wonderful people on the happiest day of their lives. I strongly believe in my craft and its value as an heirloom.

When your parents married, it was probably photographed in beautiful black and white. Imagine how much we missed from that grand day. What were the vows like? Was there music? How about the toasts and the voices of family and friends? Unless your parents married in the 1970′s, the chances of having these moments recorded to see and hear were terribly slim. Still, wouldn’t it be great to listen in on our parents’ wedding day as if we were invited guests?

I’ve had numerous people tell me that some of their most treasured moments from a family member no longer with them is from the last wedding they attended (that was videotaped). An interview with grandparents is a wonderful way to connect with them and pass their memory along to future generations. Just imagine that one day, we’ll be seeing and hearing our great grandparents on their wedding day.

Some people tell me that they are camera shy. However, I believe that hiring a competent professional with experience in non-intrusive shooting will minimize the potential discomfort. My favorite quote (and I do get it often) is ‘we didn’t even notice you were there’. Thanks to long zoom lenses, and low-light digital cameras, the videographer does not have to be ‘front-and-center’ to get great footage. If anything, we go out of our way to let the day unfold without interruption. This is the essence of documentary footage.

Just as a photograph gets more valuable over time, so does a video. A professionally documented wedding is sure to be an heirloom passed down to future generations. Long after the dress is packed away, the cake is finished and the toasts are forgotten, your photos and video will be there to remind you of that magical time that went by too quickly.

The wedding season is just around the corner and I can’t wait to start shooting weddings again! But in the meantime … for all you brides out there, I will be starting a series of posts dedicated to different aspects of your wedding planning. Each week, I’ll be focusing on a different category, so be sure to check back often!

Stay tuned for more ….

A couple of weeks ago, I met Luke. Luke is a beautiful baby boy I had the honor of photographing. He is such a sweet baby, and was so patient in front of the camera. Here are a few of my favorites from our session.

I have been such a slacker lately with my blog!! I have lots to blog about what I have been up to lately, and promise to get caught up soon. But first, I wanted to give a big THANK YOU!! to everyone that stopped by my booth at both the Bridal Extravaganza and Modern Bridal shows. Both shows were a huge success. I am so excited about the 2008 wedding season and all the wonderful couples I will be working with. Lots more coming soon, promise!

Here’s a shot from a beautiful wedding I traveled to the east coast to photograph last fall.