Interview with a Pro - Gary Freedline of Video Keepsakes

Smart & Chic artists and stylists had the chance to work with notable wedding videographer Gary Freedline and his team at Video Keepsakes of Los Angeles during their recent Rock the Dress photo shoot in Malibu. The video turned out beautifully, take a look!

We asked him a few questions about his company and the wedding video industry in L.A. and here's what we found out:

You mention that Asian weddings and Same Day Edits are your specialty. Why are you exceptional at these?
I think we stumbled into Asian weddings a few years ago by offering extremely stylish videos that was not mainstream in nature. Our popularity with the Asian culture grew from there mostly from word of mouth. My wife being Chinese helped, but my American style and producing films for MTV was the recipe for success.

Being in the wedding business for many years allowed us to film many different culture weddings. We had to adapt quickly and pioneer something we felt would match a particular cultural style and flair. Alley ways and train stations started replacing tree's and gardens as favorite engagement and portrait locations, stiff family photo sessions grew into trendy shooting with our couple and wedding party. Our shooting became less traditional and more artsy as we started revolutionizing the way a wedding video is supposed to look.

Same Day Edits became a household work at Video Keepsakes a few years ago. We realized that many guests, family and friends might never see the finished video. We knew we could introduce something fresh, something new, and something very exciting right there on the spot.

During the wedding, what could bring more emotion and impact then seeing the day flash again before your very eyes? The bride is not aware of what the groom is doing while she and her entourage is preparing, and the groom has no idea what is going on behind closed doors in the bridal suite. Our "he said, she said" interview section brings out the best in our couples and exposes things that even their parents and siblings might be unaware of which brings the families closer together.

The reason we are so successful with the Same Day Edit is our experience with weddings in general, our shooting and editing skills, and knowing what makes a good show. This is not something a good editor could tackle without much experience and we have become better and better at them ourselves the more we do.


How do you work with different couples’ personalities and styles when shooting?
Since our video are based around our brides and grooms individuality, we usually have a telephone consultation prior to booking and again after being booked. Some brides like to meet personally while others know our reputation and see our styles in the over 600 videos posted online and do not require in person meetings.

I think today's bride and groom differ from the brides and grooms from years ago. Most work or go to school, time is limited. Our consultations are informative and we listen for key factors that will set a particular couple apart. Two different weddings at the same venue will result in two completely different and unique films. Some like our MTV music video style with no talking or interviewing of the bride and groom, while others love to interact and tell us little things in their life that we can intertwine into the video story. Sometimes we discover things during the prep sessions, but the best videos are ones captured spontaneously, and not staged or planned to a "T".

What types of non-traditional wedding-related videos do you think are gaining in popularity and why?
Continue...

Interview with a Pro - Adam Haviland of Virtuoso Video

A large demand for videographers that can produce professional results for a reasonable price led Adam and Melissa Haviland to launch Virtuoso Video. In the past, wedding videography was only an option for larger budgets, but Adam strived to create a company that focused on working efficiently (keeping costs low) to allow videography for budgets of all sizes. Shooting every single wedding together, the dynamic couple’s excitement and passion for the profession continues to grow with each one.


Back in August, Smart & Chic had the chance to collaborate with Virtuoso Video on a Rock the Dress shoot (along with Graddy Photography). We were FLOORED with the final trailer that came from the shoot - take a look:

We asked Adam a few questions about his company and wedding videos in general, and here's what he said:

What kind of style do you go for when shooting Rock The Dress sessions?
Weddings are beautiful & elegant. During a wedding shoot, we use a style that compliments those themes - slow & steady camera movements. Rock the Dress shoots are the opposite - artistic & edgy. The more creative, the better. So, we adjust our style. Camera moves are quicker and less fluid – definitely not something you would see in a typical wedding video.

How would describe your style of shooting/what ‘styles’ can you do?
We shoot our weddings using a documentary style - complete, unobtrusive coverage of the day so that you can see the events as they actually occurred, not how we directed them. When it comes to RTD, it's all about contrast & drama. We're not cutting together a 20-minute highlight reel, we're creating a short, dynamic video that needs to hold the interest of your Facebook friends. In other words, it needs to pop.

What other trends do you see happening in the wedding videography industry?
More and more couples are blocking off dedicated time during the wedding day for the videographer. It's not much, usually a few minutes in each environment after the photographer has finished, but that's still a big win! Camera equipment is clunky and precise. Tripods, steadicams, etc all take time to calibrate for EVERY shot - a luxury that we typically don't have. Clients that understand this need ALWAYS end up with a stellar wedding video. They look out for us - ensuring that we get a little extra time to adjust our equipment, ultimately allowing us to capture the quality that we're capable of.

Two pieces of advice he offers -
1. Hire a wedding videographer! Even if it's not us, make sure that you get one. It's an added expense that you may not have budgeted for, but immediately after the wedding you'll wish that you had. There are so many special moments that would otherwise be lost forever - things that you likely won't even see.
2. Don't hire an amateur (or a relative)! Yes, they're cheap but they're also inexperienced. Videographers have ONE chance to capture each moment - amateurs tend to make costly mistakes. This is a precious event and you want to make sure it gets done right. Hire a professional.

For more info on the company or to book them for your event, visit www.virtuosovideo.com

Interview With a Pro - Graddy Photography

International award-winning photography studio, Graddy Photography, has covered over 200 weddings in Minnesota and is now expanding into destination weddings. Founded in 2006, they have the amazing ability to portray the emotions and events of a wedding day in an unscripted, unobtrusive manner.






The artistic effort that is put into capturing what makes each couple unique, without setting up too many posed/traditional shots, is what makes Graddy exceptional.

The company has been invited into several of the top wedding photojournalists associations in the world including the Wedding Photojournalist Association, the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers, and Best of Wedding Photography. In 2009, owner Justin Graddy was ranked 11th internationally amongst wedding photojournalists by the Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalists Association.







Smart & Chic has had the pleasure of working with Graddy Photography on weddings and on photo shoots, and have always been floored by his work. Here is a mini interview we did with owner, Justin Graddy:

Where do you get ideas and inspiration for Rock The Dress shoots? How do you work with different brides’ ideas and styles for them?
Every so often, we go and scout out different locations in the area that we think would be a good setting for shoots. We try and plan the sessions around a theme, whether it be water, rural, urban etc. and work with each bride to see what she is most interested in. Many brides are ok with destroying their dress for the art of it, yet others still hope to preserve their dress so we listen to their ideas and go from there.


What has been your favorite Rock the Dress session you’ve done?
The first time we ever did one of these was our absolute favorite. We took one of our previous wedding couples to a nearby junk yard that had tons of old cars that had some really cool oxidized colors. It had recently rained so the entire place was very muddy which allowed the couple to get "down and dirty" for their session. What is really cool about that session is that one of the shots placed in an international competition and the cars are no longer there so it was a one-time thing. So glad we were able to do that!

What other trends do you see happening in the wedding/photography industry or in photography in general?
With the digital era of photography, many people try/think they are a pro photographer just because they have a nice camera and know how to do a few things in some computer programs. The real pros are always pushing the envelope with new ideas and techniques to set themselves apart.
Many wedding couples want high fashion wedding photography and fine art wedding photojournalism rather than classic posed photography which is something we have always done.


If you could go anywhere in the world to shoot a RtD, where would it be?
We have one coming up in Mexico this spring which we are excited about after shooting the couples destination wedding. It will be cool to use the ocean and different landscapes there.
Anywhere in the world... it would have to be a place with a lot of history so I would say Rome. I think there are some great opportunities for really unique shots with some of the architecture there.

Boudoir Marathon December 12

Still need a gift for your man this holiday? Smart and Chic is hosting a Boudoir Marathon Sunday December 12.

3 spots still available. Receive hair, makeup, airbrushing, lashes, and a 45-minute photo shoot for $200-

You'll receive your disc of images + photo just in time for Santa baby!

Email sacbeauty@gmail.com or call 612.871.4482 for more information.

Interview With a Pro - Photographer Maren Delaney

Smart & Chic is excited to partner with superb Twin Cities photographer Maren Delaney on an upcoming photo shoot in Los Angeles. To learn more about this talented favorite of ours, here's a mini interview and some samples of her work:

What prompted you to start your own photography business?
I've always been fascinated by photography. I hid in the darkroom throughout high school and college. After earning my BA in photography and graphic design from the University of St. Catherine, I headed to South America in search of something. What I discovered was an overwhelming pull towards documentary photography. When I returned from abroad, I held several positions in design, but never felt challenged or encouraged to be creative. I continued to pursue my love of photography in any way possible...documenting events, vacations, and every day activities. Finally, in conjunction with the birth of my son, I decided that the time had come to make something happen for myself. With the support of family, friends and clients who took a chance on me, I came to realize that it was a possibility to be successful if I remained true to myself. I love being my own boss and being able to do things my own way. It is extremely satisfying to make clients happy because of something I have created.

(That's Smart & Chic founder Julie Swenson styling hair in these photos!)

What is your favorite part of shooting weddings?
There are many aspects to shooting weddings that I enjoy, planned and unplanned. So much time is invested in every aspect of wedding planning. I know how much consideration is put into creating "the perfect look" and it is my goal to reflect that vision in my images. I love photographing the little details that make each wedding unique, whether it be known to all guests or simply the bride and groom. From cuff links to shoe jewelry, handbags to wedding night lingerie...I want the couple to remember their day as they should; beautiful.
Posed photos are mostly inevitable when it comes to weddings. I try to get this out of the way as quickly as possible. My favorite images of the couple are always the ones when they did not know I was shooting. I love capturing the looks, kisses, and laughs exchanged between two people in love.


How do you work with different couples’ ideas and styles?
I usually meet with the couple a few times before their wedding day. An initial meeting is normally during the early stages of wedding planning. From this, I can get a feel for the couple and any ideas they have.
An engagement session gives me a great sense of the couple's style as well as an idea of what to expect for their wedding. For this reason, engagement sessions are free when I am booked for a wedding. It is vital for me to get to know the couple, ask questions, and let them get comfortable with me. I welcome and consider all feedback from engagement sessions as well as feedback about my work from other client sessions. I try to make every session/event different so input from the bride and groom is very much heard.


I saw in your portfolio that you do Rock/Trash the Dress sessions! These are gaining popularity in the wedding industry - what prompted you to offer this service?
These sessions are a great way to get more use out of one of the most beautiful, sentimental, not to mention expensive articles of clothing a woman will ever wear. The idea of packing it away, never to be worn again makes me cringe. Rock that dress! Every bride is likely to be a tad concerned about getting her dress dirty on the day of the wedding... this is an opportunity to really show it off... now that the wedding is over, who cares?!
It is also a great opportunity to do something different than what was done on the wedding day. Hair up, hair down, dramatic makeup, extreme location...mixing it up is fun and refreshing. I have so much fun with these sessions, they are very laid back and relaxed!

What trends do you see happening in the wedding photography industry?
I am seeing less traditional, cookie cutter weddings and more themed weddings and DIY inspired weddings. I think couples realize that they do not need to follow the "rules" and are embracing this opportunity to make something special and unique that they and their guests will never forget. No matter the size, budget or amount of time to plan, any wedding can be beautiful and memorable.
I believe wedding photography is becoming more personal. Less stiff, posed, straight on shots...more unique perspectives and honest moments are what people want.


To see more of Maren's work, or to get in touch with her for a booking, visit her Facebook page by clicking here.