This Santa Barbara October Wedding was held at a Private Home in the exclusive neighborhood of Hope Ranch. I was the second wedding videographer shooting for the day. I enjoy second shooting as I get to become more and more familiar with my favorite photo/ video camera the Canon 7D Mark 11. I grabbed a few screen shots of my work on this wedding for social media. 

What I liked about this wedding was the drone they had filming. Even though the noise from the propellers of a drone can be fairly distracting, the operator flew it discretely considering how much of a nuisance it could have been. They did a fly away shot at the beach during sunset. Other than a few over head property shots during cocktail hour, the post wedding couple photo shoot should be the only time a drone flies at a wedding.

I also appreciated that this couple stuck to tradition and didn't do a first look. I feel like the moment the groom sees his bride from the alter and she sees her groom standing up there, is the whole point of the wedding. It exists for that moment. Our job as photographers and videographers, is to capture that moment. I see why couples now agree to create this moment so that it's not missed. But now it has become a little too staged. I've noticed in weddings where the couple decides to see each other before the wedding, that it takes out that extra twinkle in the eye at this moment during the ceremony. As well as that the reactions during the first look may feel a little contrived. The best photos and video come from the moments in a wedding that are not planned, not staged, that are authentically captured in the moment. Which is why I named my wedding videography company Capture The Moment Video. I named it back in the year 2000, long before this 'first look' trend was started. I was only 16 years old and I knew then as I know now, what's important to filming the magic of a wedding. 
The Moment

 I got the opportunity to shoot a wedding rehearsal dinner as the second videographer. I enjoy working with other videographers to learn new skills, techniques, perspectives and to gain more over all experience. 

I feel that even if you run your own company as the head boss, you should still be able to step out of that roll, to easily take on the roll of assistant. You gain great insight on how to work with other people as well as your own work style.
It was fun for me to work with the other videographer as it took me to a location I haven't filmed before; The Coral Casino.

Located across from Montecito's Four Seasons Biltmore, backing right up to the Pacific Ocean at butterfly beach is the private club. Accessible by guests staying at the Biltmore, exclusive members, and special occasion guests. It has quiet the view! 

I got to shoot with a Canon Mark II 7D with a 70-200 lens. This lends was able to provide a tight close up shot on the bride and groom's reactions to the toasts, while I was positioned back far enough as to not disturb any guests. 

It was a beautiful setting at a great club during sunset under a moon lit night.