Today’s Wedding Pros In The Know is part two of our interview featuring Kat Small of Cinema Chic Films. If you missed yesterday’s post, you can read it here. Beautiful weddings don’t just happen, they come together through the collaborative efforts of outstanding professionals working together to create an incredible experience for their clients. Kat Small is one of those professionals, focused on service and providing her clients with a unique, custom product. The planners at Uniquely Yours enjoy working with Kat on both weddings and social occasions. Now, part two of our interview with Kat Small of Cinema Chic.
What do you see as hot future trends in cinematography on the horizon? Current trends in cinematography are film. Super 8 & 16mm have the nostalgic, grainy texture. Hollywood films are typically shot on 35mm film which is quite costly. Shooting in HD 24p or 30p can give the same look when shot properly which is that rich, silky, detailed cinematic look.
Telling the wedding story rather than just simply documenting the day is in. Solid, professional shooting with different types of gear is in; post production special effects (for the most part) are out. Simple graphics are in, flying, blinking, spinning graphics are so out.
What do you enjoy most about working with brides? I love getting to know the bride and seeing her magical day come together. But the best moment is when she finally puts on the dress; that is when she really feels like a bride.
What do you wish more brides knew about cinematography? The value of it. On average cinematography is the last on a bride’s vendor list, yet not hiring a professional cinematographer is the first thing she will regret. Photography & cinematography are two completely different mediums and one does not fill the place of the other. To be able to see and hear the words and laughter years later is truly priceless.
What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer all brides? Meet with each vendor at least once and see their work, know what you are getting. You wouldn’t buy your dress without trying it on first; take the time to know what you are getting.
What do you believe makes a great wedding? Laughing at the mistakes. Don’t let anything get you down on your day – the weather, late guests, forgotten jewelry; go with the flow and enjoy your day. And turn off your cell phone!
How can interested brides contact and/or meet with you? Phone 321.269.8766 / 877.204.0098 Hours M-F 10am – 6pm, info@cinemachicfilms.com. Meetings are by appointment only, either at my studio or at a mutually convenient location.
Thank you, Kat, for sharing your time and insights with our readers. It really is true what you say regarding photography and cinematography. They are not the same medium. Each provides a different type of memory and invokes different emotions. Budgeting for both and hiring for both provides the complete memory package for a wedding. Thank you again, and we look forward to seeing more of your beautiful work on your website and blog www.cinemachicfilms.com
Today’s Wedding Pros In The Know features none other than fabulous Central Florida cinematographer, Kat Small of Cinema Chic Films. Cinema Chic Films specializes in cinematic HD and couture Super 8 mm wedding films, offering clients a unique artistic experience and product. Many times clients tell us that they aren’t really considering videography as part of their wedding experience. But video offers something you can’t get from photographs. It brings the entire wedding to life, giving you the opportunity to relive the moments and see your loved ones as they really were. Kat creatively captures clients’ wedding stories using the latest technology and techniques. Her perspective and approach set her apart as she goes above and beyond in getting to really know her clients in order to best tell their story through her craft. We hope you enjoy getting a glimpse of her work through our interview.
How did you get started in the wedding business? After getting a B.S. in Recreation and a 9-5 job I discovered that my chosen career was not my calling. I decided to moved out to California and discover myself. I went back to school and started taking art classes with an emphasis on photography and film. An opportunity landed me on the island of Kauai where I took my first video job in tourism. From there I worked for three prominent local companies producing everything from tourist videos, to commercials, to the Biography Channel. It was in 2001 when I opened up my own business specializing in wedding films. The opportunity to work closely with my clients and be endlessly creative just drew me in.
What services does Cinema Chic offer? Cinema Chic Productions is a full-service High Definition and Super 8mm film production company. We deliver on Standard and Blu-ray discs. If you are not familiar with Super 8 film, it is what your parents or grandparents would have had growing up. Think of the show “The Wonder Years” opening credits – that is what Super 8 film looks like. It has a nostalgic, timeless feel to it and has never gone out of style. There are many filters that companies use to get this look, usually over exaggerated and obviously not the real thing. It’s like comparing a real flower to a faux. Which one do you want for your wedding?
What sets Cinema Chic apart from other wedding cinematographers? This is such a good question and somewhat hard to answer. At first glance we may blend in with some other companies, but by getting to personally know each of our couples, we can take the process further in order to shoot and edit toward their unique styles. I love working closely with each couple, incorporating their colors, fonts, and musical tastes into their story. No two wedding films should ever look the same because no two couples are the same.
Describe how you approach each client’s wedding. I have a list of questions I ask them about themselves and their wedding. I then let them interview me. This helps both of us to get to know each other and start a bonding. From there I can get an idea of what they are looking for in a wedding film and pull out samples of my work. The creative process of their wedding story is in full swing. About two weeks before their day I like to meet with them again to finalize everything and go over any changes. I want to be two steps ahead of them on their day.
What can clients expect from you (your team) before, during, and after the wedding day? As stated before, I like to meet with the clients twice before their wedding. This is not always possible in person, so phone meetings work fine. On the day of, each cinematographer knows where to be, when to be there, and to work in a discreet, unobtrusive professional manner. After the wedding comes the post production process. No edit is started until all materials are received. The highlight is posted on the Cinema Chic blog upon delivery of the DVDs. Post production is all done in house and can take anywhere from three to eight months depending on the time of year.
Andrea & Jason’s Highlight Reel
Milliken’s Reef – Video by Cinema Chic, Planning by Uniquely Yours, Photography by Concept Photography, Lighting and Entertainment by Sophisticated Gents Entertainment
We will have more of our interview with Kat Small of Cinema Chic Films tomorrow.
When people think of wedding publications, The Knot immediately comes to mind. The Knot is synonymous with all that is current in the world of weddings and is an incredible resource for inspiration through their online Real Wedding galleries, interactive planning tools, and both their national/regional print publications. This summer, the Uniquely Yours planning team (Karry Castillo, Sandy Dostal Thornton, and Jackie Becker) had the opportunity to assist with the planning and production of The Knot’s North Florida Networking Luncheon. The luncheon provided a unique outlet for invited professionals across the North Florida region to meet and network. Featured speaker for the luncheon was none other than Alan Berg, Vice President of Local Strategic Marketing and Director of The Knot Market Intelligence. So in addition to the great networking, the attendees were able to hear first hand the newly released results of the Knot’s latest Real Wedding Survey and learn powerful tips and advice for improving their businesses through targeted, specific marketing and sales strategies.
Photo Courtesy of Dawn McCarthy Photography
Selected for its gorgeous landscaping and river views as well as its outstanding cuisine, the beautiful and historic Epping Forest Yacht Club served as the host venue. Epping Forest has been a Jacksonville landmark for nearly a century and was originally the home of Alfred and Jessie duPont. It is a venue that combines all the magnificence and charm of yesterday with today’s style and sophistication. Kudos to Dan Cook, Assistant General Manager/Catering Director, and his staff at the Yacht Club for their outstanding service and commitment to excellence. No wonder, Epping Forest is renown as a beautiful location for Jacksonville weddings and social soirees.
Epping Forest Yacht Club
Back of Epping Forest under the centuries old oaks
Greet Table
Because we were into the early summer months we wanted the event design to be light and fresh and work well within the historical environment of the venue. We decided upon an airy french country palette of soft creams and ivories which would flow well from the outdoor meet and greet through to the indoor luncheon. Lynette Self at the extraordinary Rose of Sharon European Florist brought our vision to life through her creative floral talents and we could not have been more pleased with the beautiful results. Rashida Erskine of BBJ Linen further instilled life and color into our design scheme with coordinating table linens throughout the venue.
Cocktails by the fountain overlooking the river
The Dining Room
Uniquely Yours Planner Sandy Dostal Thornton and BBJ Linen Sales Manager Rashida Erskine
Sharon Clark of I Need A Favor, embellished the Knot emblem and logo to correlate with our theme and location by including a vintage, soft line drawing of the mockingbird. Sharon graciously provided the name tags, menus, sponsor cards, swag bag tags, and programs.
Sponsor Cards
Nametags
Menu
Bag Tags and Programs
Each attendee received a cute Knot tote-bag filled with the latest issue of The Knot Florida and special goodies from the luncheon sponsors without whom we could not have put together such a wonderful and productive event. Special thanks goes out to the following North Florida professionals for their partnership and support:
Peterbrooke Chocolatier – Gourmet Chocolate Popcorn
Choux Designer Cakes & Pastries – Cupcake Dessert Display
The Write Touch – Stationery Items
The Spa At Bartram Walk – Mini Spa Products
We were thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Courtney Craver of Sublime Studios who documented the day along with Eric Torres of Collab-Creation Wedding Filmakers whose video is to be used for future Knot events and training. Thank you Courtney and Eric for your talent and beautiful images. All images courtesy of Courtney Craver of Sublime Studios unless otherwise noted.
Finally, we want to thank David Hanscom of Y? Entertainment whose team went above and beyond the call of duty at the last moment to provide the required audio-visual equipment and tech services as well as the entertainment for the entire event. We were impressed with his response to our call to action and greatly appreciated his sense of humor as well as his technical skills.
Uniquely Yours was honored to not only plan this event and work with the incredible team at The Knot, but also to participate and get to know so many of the wonderful North Florida wedding professionals with whom we look forward to doing business.
A few months ago, we were contacted by a writer with the Associated Press to offer a few quotes on wedding photography and the process of selecting a photographer. We were told the information would be used for a national bridal planner publication. Recently, we were contacted by a media firm regarding the article which we were not even aware had been published. Excitedly, we were able to find it online and saw it had published in late May and early June in several papers across the country. Unfortunately, it was not published in our area papers. Here is the article:
Every picture tells a story
Mirielle Cailles
CTW Features
Photography
Karry Castillo, an event specialist and owner of Uniquely Yours in Merritt Island, Fla., says couples have three options for wedding photography: traditional, photojournalistic and editorial. While traditional includes mostly posed shots, photojournalistic aims to tell a story using one to three angles and more candid photos. Often times, this style will cover the entirety of the big day, from the bride getting ready to the bride’s goodnight, using anywhere from two to three separate photographers. Editorial photos offer an edgier style with a more fashion-oriented approach.
“Most brides today want to see a story from beginning to end,” Castillo says. “They’re looking to capture the emotions of the day.” If you’re a couple looking to communicate your personal preference, Castillo recommends sharing your own pictures that serve as inspiration or as a guide for what you want.
Beyond personal preference, couples need to match up personalities with products and services. “Some brides may not want someone in their face all day, someone with a very intrusive personality,” Castillo says. Sit down with possible candidates and get to know their style. “It’s absolutely essential for the bride to select a photographer who is professional, well-versed in weddings and working with families.” Castillo recommends meeting with at least two to three pros per category. Depending on your choice of style, either traditional, photojournalistic or editorial, look at pros that are similar to each other but offer different options.
In evaluating potential artists, make sure to ask the right questions. Inquiries should focus on package details, contractual agreements and final products, whether that is an actual album or digital prints. Castillo recommends asking the following questions:
* What packages do you offer?
* How much time is allotted for the day of the wedding?
* Are photographers available all day?
* Will you bring an assistant or second shooter?
* Is an album included in the package? If so, who designs the album? How much input do we get in the album’s design?
* What quality of paper, color and inks do you use?
* Is a DVD with digital negatives provided to order our own prints in the future?
* Will we have rights to our photos?
If you’re looking to save a few bucks on photographic services, Castillo recommends asking for an associate to hire. Often times, an associate’s fee is cheaper than the main photographer’s. You also can pinpoint your coverage and only have a professional for certain parts of the day.
Videography
As technology has evolved, the video options available to couples offer modern packages to fit any tech-savvy couples’ needs. “Cameras are much smaller now and videographers can be so un-intrusive,” Castillo says. Some packages include two to three videographers and can cover more than just the big day. Professionals can document everything from cake testing to a rehearsal dinner, shooting in high definition.
If you’re looking to capture your wedding in a more cinematic way, find a videographer with quality editing capabilities. Some packages offer a two- to three-minute video of the wedding while others include an entire wedding story edited in a half- to one-hour movie clip, Castillo says. In addition to the movies, make sure these packages still include the raw footage. Other high-tech options include automatic downloads to an iPod or even streaming video so it can be viewed across the globe, Castillo says.
Now we do not claim to be experts in photography or videography, but we were honored to be asked and happy to provide professional information to a national publication regarding the offerings and options that we see in the photography market in our area. We do recommend you study photography styles carefully to see whose work will be a good match for your personal tastes and preferences. Photographs and video are going to be the lasting momentos and reminders of the day’s emotion and festivitites. This is not an area where you want to scrimp and be overly frugal. Look at the options, review the galleries of the professionals whose work you admire, and weigh the benefits of their shooting fees and packages as they relate to your needs. Book the best photography and videography professionals available considering your overall budget and style preferences.
Amy and Justin were married on March 28 in a wedding that can best be summed up as a whimsical “barefoot on the beach” celebration. Soft whites, ivories, and sea greens predominated the overall color scheme which perfectly complimented the natural backdrop of the ocean and sand dunes. Ann and Sara of Thallo Floral Design were responsible for the beautiful florals woven throughout the day from the bouquets and beach deck through to the dining reception. The ceremony took place on a private beach in the breeze under a bamboo altar area and was officiated by Rev. Phil Hartwell. From the ceremony, guests transitioned to the cocktail space where they were greeted with specialty “bride” and “groom” drinks. Hors d’ouevres included margarita shrimp, lobster lollipops, mini sliders, and a grilled cheese and tomato bisque shooter. Guests then moved to the dining tent where they experienced a “barefoot on the beach” menu custom designed by Arthur’s Catering of Orlando. The menu featured a variety of stations including an angus beef and potato martini bar, a Fish in the Sea station offering seared mahi mahi, jicama slaw, and tortilla wraps, and a Cabana Cuisine display offering jamaican jerk chicken, cuban sandwiches, southwest quesadillas, a pineapple fruit tree, and a variety of crisp breads with savory spreads. The dining experience concluded with a dessert station offering a variety of decadent mini indulgences presented in shot glasses, wedding cake, and a very popular s’mores station. Guests danced and partied into the night, thanks to DJ Kevin of Sophisticated Gents Entertainment. Amy was not only a beautiful and graceful bride, but she was also quite busy in the days leading up to the wedding crafting and creating many of the beautiful decor elements which included her invitations, programs, candle favors, escort starfish, and signage. The entire day was captured by the talented Nicki and Chrissy of Vitalic Photography and the creative Alex Karas of Voila Cinematic. Uniquely Yours Wedding & Event Specialist were proud to be part of such a beautiful wedding celebration. Congratulations Amy and Justin. We wish you a lifetime of happiness and wonderful wedding day memories.
The Wedding Team
Uniquely Yours Wedding & Event Specialist – Erica Lake and Karry Castillo for partial planning and design, referrals, coordination, and management
Vitalic Photography – wedding day photography
Voila Cinematic – wedding cinematography
Thallo Floral Design – bouquets, centerpieces, decor items
Sophisticated Gents Entertainment – dj and entertainment services
Sticks and Steel – steel drum entertainment for the ceremony
Arthurs Catering – menu design, catering, and bartending services
Premier Party Rentals – tent, tables, chairs, bars, linens
BBJ Linens – specialty linens
Boca Valet – parking and valet services
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