09 Mar 2010 Serena & Liang | a love story from the stillmotion workshop
Author: matt |  Category: uncategorised  | Leave a Comment

As recently posted I recently had the privilege of attending the 3 day stillmotion evolution experience in Sydney - it was incredible. Not only is this team of wedding film makers amazingly talented at what they do, they have the rare gift of also being great educators and are very generous in sharing their knowledge & experience.

It was quite an intense, challenging experience and personally I think it was one of the best investments I’ve made - much more so than any piece of gear I’ve ever bought.

Day 2 of the workshop saw us split into teams for a number of quite different production challenges. One of them was to produce a love story for a couple whose wedding was less than 2 weeks away. We had 2 hours to meet Serena and Liang, brainstorm ideas between our team then plan and execute our shoot. The 90 second finished piece then had to be edited overnight.

My very talented team consisted of Kee Sitt from wedding story (all the way from Malaysia), Warren Bonello from Exclusive video, and Edgard Neves and Marlon Simmons from Abraham Joffe videographers.

Here’s the great piece that we put together…

15 Feb 2010 Jade & Danny | Gold Coast wedding
Author: matt |  Category: teasers, video, weddings  | Tags: , , ,  | 4 Comments

Wow - what an awesome wedding. Jade and Danny’s wedding was a day full of so much depth, emotion and love.

Jade had really chilled, relaxed preparations with her 3 sisters, mother and grandmother (who somewhat surprisingly requested that Marilyn Manson be turned down a notch - what’s that about?). Before getting dressed there was a lovely moment as Jade said goodbye for the day to their 2 dogs, Jet & Rocket.

The photo book at the start of the clip was a surprise gift from Jade to Danny and what a fantastic present - it chronicles their journey as a couple together, while Danny wowed Jade with a gorgeous diamond studded bracelet.

The boys got ready in the spa suite at Royal Pines Resort - by the time I was due to head to the ceremony my sides were hurting from the laughter. Danny had a truly great group of mates and family around him for ’support’ - and I use the term loosely.

Due to the inclement weather a couple of weeks ago the ceremony was moved from the Royal Pines chapel to a garden area nearby which turned out to be a touch of serendipity with celebrant Guy Piper officiating a beautiful, personal ceremony in magic surrounds. There were a few firsts for me this wedding with some incredibly touching moments in particular which I will keep private.

Afterwards we went to a few great locations for a photo shoot. Bond Uni in particular stands out - great geometric lines and angles to work with and just perfect light in the afternoon. First time working with Vince Valitutti and we worked really well together. It was then back to Royal Pines for a knockout reception.

Well - enough rambling, here’s the teaser they chose to include as part of their package. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve watched it :)

If you would like to leave a message for Jade & Danny or any comment at all, just click the ‘leave a comment link’.

Jade & Danny’s ingredients:

cinema: Barwick Multimedia
photography: Vince Valitutti
celebrant: Guy Piper
ceremony & reception: Royal Pines Resort

07 Feb 2010 Stillmotion workshop | Sydney
Author: matt |  Category: uncategorised  | Leave a Comment

Tremendously exciting week coming up with my attendance at the Stillmotion evolution workshop being held in Sydney. I’m looking forward to taking part, sharing, learning, and growing in what will no doubt be an amazing experience.

For those of you that haven’t heard of Stillmotion, they are widely regarded as world leaders in true wedding cinema - constantly pushing boundaries, exceeding ‘limitations’ about what wedding cinema can be by creating amazing, inspired work. They’re coming out from Canada for an exclusive series of workshops in Sydney & Melbourne.

This is one of my favourite pieces of theirs…

28 Jan 2010 Leah & Mark | teaser
Author: matt |  Category: teasers, video, weddings  | Tags: , , , ,  | 3 Comments

A beautiful start to 2010 sharing Leah & Mark’s special day with them. Leah’s family travelled the odd 15,000km from Canada to witness a simply gorgeous wedding. Quite the climate change from -20°C into +30°C..! Nonetheless they took it all in their collective strides.

After preparations in Alstonville, Leah kept Mark waiting (just a little) to test out his nerves - being a pro golfer of course they were rock solid. No putting yips here.

They exchanged beautiful vows in Alstonville’s Uniting Church before heading into Ballina for to a few locations for photos & video. Working again with Sue & Eliza from Suzephotography was, as always an absolute pleasure.

The party then began at the Ballina RSL club and went well into the wee hours :)

My quote of the night goes to Mark’s Dad halfway through his speech when needing a ‘drinks’ break…”I’m as dry as a chip…”

Enjoy this cute little teaser of their day…

If you would like to leave a message for Leah & Mark or any comment at all, just click the ‘leave a comment link’.

Leah & Mark’s ingredients:

videography: Barwick Multimedia
photography: Suzephotography
reception: Ballina RSL

17 Jan 2010 Gemma & Grant | magic moments
Author: matt |  Category: magic moments, video, weddings  | Tags: , , ,  | Leave a Comment

The magic moments clip from Gemma & Grant’s beautiful Evan’s Head combined wedding/naming day from late 2009

A few random facts…

They both share the exact same initials: GTM
Their first Christmas together they unknowingly bought each other the exact same present - a pair of Simpsons boxers shorts
They both wore the boxers on the day - they were Gemma’s ’something blue’
They have 2 gorgeous kids - Will and Summer
They have an incredible love for each other. 

If you would like to leave a message for Gemma & Grant (or Will or Summer for that matter) or any comment at all, just click the ‘leave a comment link’.

15 Dec 2009 Matt & Kim | Deux Belettes wedding
Author: matt |  Category: teasers, video, weddings  | Tags: , , , ,  | 3 Comments

For Matt & Kim’s stylish wedding, which was our last of 2009, I had the opportunity to shoot in what is now undoubtedly one my favourite locations.

I’d heard lots of great things over this past 12 months from various people about the magnificent Deux Belettes so it was wonderful to finally visit there. It is just stunning. About 30 minutes out of Byron Bay, private, secluded, tranquil, and features amazing architecture and just gorgeous grounds throughout. I’m afraid I just don’t have enough superlatives to do it justice! Sharon, Ross & Sven are wonderfully warm hosts too which brings the whole package together.

After some relaxed, fun preparations Matt & Kim were married in a beautifully intimate ceremony officiated by celebrant Irena Kirpichnikova amongst close friends and family. This was followed by canapés, congratulations and photography around the grounds and then a massive marquee party well into the evening - all seamlessly coordinated by Hayley from Divinity Byron Bay. The reception speeches had everything and were humourous, touching & memorable.

It was also another great opportunity to shoot with good friend Justin from Bushturkey studios (who also just happens to be one of Australia’s finest photographers) .

Enjoy this little 90 second ‘teaser’ from their day featuring some of the best moments. If you would like to leave a message for Matt & Kim or any comment at all, just click the ‘leave a comment link’ above.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic new year. I’ve enjoyed sharing some work in 2009 and looking forward to sharing more gorgeous moments from amazing weddings through 2010.

P.S. A little inside joke for M & K: “Now…if there was a shop that sold Bride and Grooms…”

Matt & Kim’s ingredients:

videography: Barwick Multimedia
photography: Bushturkey Studio
event planning & management: Divinity Byron Bay
celebrant: Irena Kirpichnikova
post ceremony entertainment: Casey Barnes
venue: Deux Belettes

27 Nov 2009 John & Barbara | a wedding 73 years in the making
Author: matt |  Category: magic moments, video, weddings  | Tags: , ,  | One Comment

Something very special to share with this post.

At the end of October I had the pleasure of capturing my Uncle John’s wedding to his sweetheart Barbara in Manilla, NSW (about 30 minutes out of Tamworth). He’s 73 years old  (and to think some people thought it’d never happen!)

One of the advantages of getting married later in life that I hadn’t considered is being able to include descendants and relatives in the celebrations. Barbara’s 2 bridesmaids were her daughter and granddaughter - first time I’ve ever heard of 3 generations being in a bridal party and obviously very special.

My Uncle John has always been a natural performer, so to reflect this the edit has a quirky doco feel to it, with touching moments mixed with some humourous ones.

Here are the highlights. Enjoy.

The ‘phantom’  paint on the car is a reference to the reputation he’s developed over the years at the many, many family weddings he’s attended, where bridal cars would get mysteriously ‘decorated’ by an unknown someone…

11 Nov 2009 Gemma, Grant, Will & Summer | Evans Head wedding
Author: matt |  Category: teasers, video, weddings  | Tags: , , ,  | 3 Comments

In a word this past weekend was…inspirational.

A beautiful couple of events in Evans Head. Firstly an intimate wedding with Gemma and Grant which was followed by a naming day for their beautiful kids Will & Summer. Such a special day not only to honour their relationship with each another but also to make promises for the future to their children.

They’ve chosen to include one of our popular magic moments clips for their final edit which will be posted here once completed.

In the meantime be swept away by their love with this gorgeous little teaser from the day…pinky swears.

It was the first time working with photographer James Day from 3 words in Armidale which was just a barrel of laughs. Keep an eye out for the possibility of a potentially revealing “James Day highlight reel”… ;)

29 Oct 2009 Tim & Zoey | magic moments
Author: matt |  Category: magic moments, video, weddings  | Tags: , , ,  | 2 Comments

Laughter.
Emotion.
Love…
…and a killer first dance.

26 Oct 2009 Alex & Karen | Coolangatta wedding | a love story
Author: matt |  Category: love story, promotions, video, weddings  | Tags: , , ,  | 5 Comments

Beautiful wedding in Coolangatta over the weekend with Alex & Karen. Such a natural, down to earth couple - the love & respect they have for each other and their family and friends shone through all day.

They exchanged intimate vows at the beautiful Froggie’s Beach and despite the weather threatening to turn nasty it did hold off for every key moment. Duranbah Beach was the location for a photo session - first time working with Lauren Joy photography which was great fun.

Now that their wedding has taken place, I can finally share the love story they won from our promotion a couple of months ago - a little insight into a great couple, their love and a brief look at how it all began.

This was a surprise to everyone, which screened midway through the reception for the guests and it got an amazing response. Loads of smiles, laughter and even a few tears…enjoy.

If you’d like to share your thoughts, just click the ‘leave a comment’ link above!

P.S. Favourite quote - Alex: “A boat’s a boat - you give a man a boat and you get the keys to his heart!”

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