A Tale of Two Clients.

It was the best of times.... it was the worst of times.  That quote was on my mind this morning after a busy weekend.  While only one of the clients is mine, I'll use them both to illustrate my point.

On Saturday, I received a call from a great photographer friend who was desperately looking for a videographer to replace the no-show-videographer that 'Bride A' had hired. Can you imagine the extra stress involved in that kind of day-of panic??  Unfortunately, this wedding day shocker happens more that you would expect. You really do get what you pay for, anyone who has been in the business for as long as I have can tell you that.  

On the other hand, here is a client email I received this morning from 'Bride B': "WOW, we absolutely LOVE the wedding DVD!!  The case itself is spectacular and the video is amazing.  Watching your dvd was a highlight of the wedding for me :)  Thank you so much for doing such a spectacular job.  Please let me know if you need a reference or if there is some place I can write a positive review for you-- I'd be more than happy to.  My parents and parents-in-law were stunned by the video and how great it is.  My father in law said it is the most powerful wedding video he has ever seen and that he is going to cherish it forever.  I agree!  Thanks again for everything.  It was wonderful working with you and I am so thankful to have this precious dvd to remember my wedding."

Which bride would you rather be?

John + Bharti *Seattle Sheraton

I had seen John and Bharti a couple times throughout the summer at some of their friends' weddings and they were so excited for their wedding date to come.  Each time I spoke to them, I could feel their level of anticipation rise.  More relevant, they placed so much emphasis on the importance of having their day documented.  This is foresight that most couples don't have.  I always tell potential clients on the fence.... has anyone every regretted documenting this day?  Not one single case that I've ever heard of.  Are there people who have regretted not having video?  Too many to count.  Lesson learned: be smart like John and Bharti :)

Venue: Seattle Sheraton

DJ: Seattle Parties (DJ Leslie)

Florist: Decorndesign

Jenelle + John *Space Needle

Wow. There's nothing better than a beautiful day in Seattle.  I love feeling the energy of a wedding and feeding off the couple, the people surrounding the couple, as well as all the people out enjoying their weekend who happen to cross paths with the couple.  The person I'm most connected to on the day of the wedding is the photographer.  Our working relationship is critical... and on this day I was surprised to see my good friend Joey Hong on the job.  When I work with a friend, we're able to take the imagery to the next level.

Photography: John & Joseph Photography

Event Coordinator: Bobbi Roth

Venue: Space Needle

Sarah + Ariel *Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe

I was very fortunate to travel to the outdoor wonderland that is Lake Tahoe this past summer.  Ariel and Sarah were on cloud 9 from the moment we walked into their rooms as they prepared for their wedding day.  Their happiness was infectious... and the day was filled with joy, tears, surprises, and love.

Trudi + Armaan *W Hotel

Trudi called me a little while after her first inquiry and said that they decided against having video for their wedding.  As a couple, her and Armaan were hesitant about having a camera present on their wedding day.  Being camera shy is one of the #1 reasons I hear that most couples shy away from video.  I pleaded with Trudi, told her that she wouldn't notice me throughout the day... and she'd regret not having a video.  After some arm twisting, she reluctantly agreed.  I think she'd be the first one to say that this was one of the best decisions she made for her wedding (besides saying I do of course). 

Kim + Dave *Four Seasons

Kim and Dave were one of the most incredible couples I worked with last year. Their personalities were front and center in every detail of this wedding. There were too many spectacular moments to write about in detail, except one in particular that I had never seen before (and probably won’t ever see again). When each guest entered the reception ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel, they found on their table setting a drink card with a custom printed cocktail that was created by K+D. Not only was the name of the cocktail reflective of the individual guest, but so too were the ingredients. Their humor was evident as guests were laughing and sharing their concoction with everyone around them. It’s small details like this that wrinkle the brain and make an event so memorable for a couple’s guests. I just feel lucky that I was there to witness and capture it for Kim and Dave, who were hiding away waiting for their grand entrance at the time…. but now too have that same wrinkle.

Namita + Gauhar

Namita & Guahar hired us to capture three days of their epic Newcastle event. Their families made us feel like we were one of their own, bringing a bittersweet feeling when it was all finished.

Diane + Chris

The stunning couple that is Diane and Chris were married in Tacoma this Spring. Bad weather for weeks happen to clear up so the sun could come out and shine for their wedding day.

Carie + Eric *Fairmont Olympic

Many months before Carie and Eric’s wedding, the incomparable Lisa Chambers told me that Carie wanted it to snow at her wedding… which is not entirely unrealistic for a January event in Seattle. Unwilling to bet it all on an improbable weather event….. Carie decided to bring the snow inside the Spanish Ballroom. After hearing this, I knew I would be witness to an event unlike anything I’d ever seen before. With many cameras rolling as the doors to the ballroom opened, tiny flakes started to fall on the surprised guests. It was truly an incredible thing to witnesses. Hopefully this video captures just a fraction of the awe that myself and the guests of this wedding felt in that exact moment. If that weren’t enough… the rest of that cold winter night was filled with equally awe inspiring acts of love, gratitude, and warm celebration.

Michelle + Bryan *Westin Bellevue

Michelle is definitely a romantic.  When she and Bryan approached me about their wedding… she wanted to make sure that all the emotion of her day would shine through in her highlight and give her something that would put her right back in the moment.