This is my first post dedicated to Wedding Videographers and to our craft. I want to bring to light the new latest and greatest trend that is rapidly being called the wave of the future for Wedding Cinematography. Shooting on the DSLR Camera. Now get ready to be shocked but I have to say I am absolutely baffled by this emerging technology and it’s popularity. I realize that saying that is completely opposite of how many in the Wedding Cinematography industry field feel but I welcome your debate and encourage you to challenge me so we may engage in healthy discussion because I just don’t get it. At Serendipity Videography we are true purists to the craft. All of our Videographers are professionally trained Videographers many of which who have been shooting for 10 to 20 years. I have to be honest by saying I just don’t get all of the hoopla over these DSLR cameras and why some are preferring to shoot a wedding film with one as opposed to a Video Camera. So I have been doing my research to see if this is a technology we need to adopt to adapt to market conditions and so far the answer is no. So far the only benefits I can see are that they are portable and small so they allow for easy movement and a cinematic shot and that they allow for the changing of lenses. Those are great benefits I will say…. But here is my take…. They are a STILL CAMERA that has video capability. At the end of the day you are shooting a clients wedding film on a still camera. You are a Wedding Videographer using a still camera to shoot someone wedding film. Period. What is the benefit to that? Here is my analogy…. Our Sony Cameras are the highest quality small size HD video camera that you can purchase before going to a full size video camera that they shoot TV shows with. Our Sony’s have the ability to shoot still pictures but I would never shoot someones wedding photos on our Sony EX cameras just because they have a photo capability. Especially since video cameras capabilities are a million times superior to even the best DSLR camera with video capability. In my research I discovered quite a few things about the DSLR Cameras….

1. In order to get them to the level we would need them to be to shoot Serendipity style we would need to add thousands of dollars of equipment making them more expensive than the current cameras we have with but with far less capability.

2. They can only shoot limited amounts of HD video on each card which for us is just not efficient.

3. They don’t capture audio unless you outfit them to do so which is quite expensive and for our signature “Storytelling Style” that won’t work for us.

4. We can create the same cinematic shots by using a GlideCam.

5. We can use post production as well as lense changes to create the “shallow depth of field” that the DSLR is gaining popularity for.

I ran across this quote on a DSLR website today. “Digital SLR cameras are an intriguing hybrid between digital still cameras and high definition video cameras. They allow you to achieve cinematic shallow depth of field and expressive cinematography at relatively low prices.” What stood out to me is the last few words… “relatively low prices” and then it hit me…. Is this the reason for the craze? Quality Video Cameras cost thousands of dollars which limits the amount of people that can embark on a Wedding Cinematography business because of the outlay of cash for equipment and the DSLR Cameras and their video capability has allowed for people to break into Wedding Cinematography for a “relatively low price” therefore allowing for a higher profit margin. So is that it? Is that part of the allure? I still just can’t get past my initial point of “At the end of the day a DSLR is a still camera with video capability”. If I were a bride and I was hiring a Wedding Videographer I would want one who uses a “Video Camera” but that’s just me. I am not here to say that DSLR is not a good way to go. There is plenty of business out there for all of us either way you shoot. But I have determined it’s just not the right way for the Serendipity Videography brand. In classic Serendipity fashion we are going against the grain and blazing our own trail unless you convince me otherwise. Thoughts? Opinions? Do share….

One of things I love most about our job is that every wedding we shoot is unique and really plays off of each couples style and taste. Liz and Jeff’s wedding was incredibly unique and one we will remember for years to come. Liz the bride loves the Performing Arts and has been involved in the arts her entire life so performance was a major part of her wedding celebration. Check out the Playbill that they had designed with her and Jeff on the cover talking about how they met on match.com To take things up a notch and really bring the performance element into the celebration Liz and Jeff had a performance troupe The Phoenix Players come and entertain for their entire wedding. And when I say entire wedding I truly mean entire wedding. The troupe performed an incredibly fun and personalized song while the bridesmaids were walking down the aisle. The guests were a little shocked and surprised at first but they loved it and joined in the fun! Then when Jeff and Liz were pronounced husband and wife they danced their way back down the aisle to the cocktail hour. Then during the cocktail hour The Phoenix Players performed again as well as during the reception. It was so lively and fun and integrated the brides love of performance into her wedding perfectly!! Feast your eyes on this fun wedding film. Congratulations to Jeff and Liz! You wedding is one for the books and will be one we won’t soon forget!

As you can imagine lots of moving parts in this wedding… These fabulous vendors were apart of making Jeff and Liz’s celebration come together beautifully:

Event Planner: Eden Silver

Photography: Brides for Brides Photography

Entertainement: Dennis Rowland Band

DJ: SKM Entertainment

Florist: Avant Garde

Venue: The Four Seasons

Liz & Jeff at The Four Seasons from Serendipity Videography on Vimeo.

Romance and pure elegance was abound at Daris and Jason’s wedding at Sassi. It was all things pretty at this wedding. From the fabulous florals to the pearls and candles to the cream colored ribbon wrapped vases. The bride was classic and soft with a dress that made her cry when she tried it on the first time. This wedding was so much fun for us because Jason is a fellow wedding vendor and owner of Jason Hicks Photography. So we got the opportunity to work with him both behind the lense and in front of it which is a unique experience. Jason was definitely out of vendor mode on his wedding day and focused on his beautiful bride to be. They hugged and snuggled all day long and relished in their wedded bliss. Congratulations Jason and Daris we know you are going to have a beautiful marriage.

These fabulous vendors executed Jason and Daris’s vision of their perfect wedding day:

Blueprint Affairs

Stephanie Fay Photography

Sassi

String Serenade

Got You Covered

Petal Pushers

Daris & Jason at Sassi from Serendipity Videography on Vimeo.

Darren and Jeanette are in L-O-V-E with each other. They are starry eyed, mesmerized, head over heels for one another. There is nothing that melts my heart more than a groom who tears up at his vows. Darren did just that as he pledged his life and love to Jeanette. Darren’s groomsmen said it best in his speech when he said “We knew Darren was in love when he disappeared.” Another one bites the dust in the name of love. Jeanette is just as giddy. During her interview she gushed about her groom to be and was just so excited to greet him at the end of the aisle. They had a Catholic Ceremony then they took to The Sanctuary to celebrate the night away. With a reception adorned with lots of delicious details that make a girly girl squeal with delight this reception was eye candy all the way. Congratulations to Darren and Jeanette. Welcome to wedded bliss!!

We had the pleasure of working with these fabulous vendors:

Jennifer Bowen Photography

The Sanctuary

Ray the DJ

Teonna’s Floral Design Studio and Productions

Darren and Jeanette at The Sanctuary from Serendipity Videography on Vimeo.

When Andrea asked us to shoot her wedding in La Jolla California on July 11th we screamed ABSOLUTELY!! There is nothing a Phoenician wants more than to escape the stifling oppressive heat of July in Arizona so we were on board!! Besides the incredible 75 degree weather shooting a wedding in La Jolla was such a refreshing change of pace. Everything about this experience was incredible from the resort where the couple got ready which was Estancia La Jolla Hotel to the church the La Jolla Christian Fellowship to the reception venue which was The Darlington House. It was all a blank canvas for us and we reveled in the newness of it all. Our creative juices were flowing and we went to work to create a lifelong memory of Andrea and Wes’s wedding day. Andrea the bride was stunning. She works in fashion so her dress was sexy, sassy and unique. The groomsmen were just as fashion forward with their skinny jeans, skinny ties and suspenders that Andrea outfitted them in. The reception venue the Darlington House was elegant and the decor well thought out by the bride. It was a floral utopia. Each table had endless jars and vases of flowers. The table numbers were painted chabby chic white and placed on stacks of books to represent their love of literature. My favorite detail had to be the chandelier that they found and hung above their cake. As a self described “do it yourselfer” these super cute details were the brainchild of Andrea and executed by Amorology Weddings. The whole affair was a pleasure to document which we did right along side of Jill Thomas Photography. We had the most amazing time shooting Andrea and Wes in a new city, at a new venue for us and with different wedding vendors. Andrea and Wes here is a sneak peek of things to come…

Thanks San Diego wedding “peeps” for being so welcoming to the Arizonans we’ll come back anytime!!

Amorology Weddings

Jill Thomas Photography

Personal Touch Dining

DJ Paul Peterson

Florist: Brenda Davis Landini

Andrea & Wes A La Jolla Wedding from Serendipity Videography on Vimeo.