Tag-Archive for ◊ deux belettes ◊

29 Jun 2010 it’s all about the story | a unique concept piece

I’m constantly striving to be a better story teller. When you strip away all the technical stuff that’s essentially what I endeavour to do - tell better stories.

Stories of love.

Stories of precious moments shared between family and friends.

And perhaps most importantly the stories of the unique personality that every couple has.

At school, my essays were…hmm…less than impressive. The concept of a beginning, middle and end just didn’t work for me through the written word.

Then I discovered a knack for storytelling through filmmaking, particularly with weddings. Through motivated shooting and editing decisions I found I could authentically communicate not only the journey through a couples day but also their personalities.

Moving pictures can be such a powerful medium and there’s a huge array of different tools and methods at a filmmakers disposal to help better tell a story. Whether the techniques be done in camera - through inspired framing, subject selection, camera movements or focal choices or whether it’s done in post production - through editing decisions, text, voice overs, colour grading or music selections, each element plays a critical part in improving the narrative of any piece.

I had thoughts a couple of months ago of putting together something completely different - something that I’d never seen done before with a wedding. How effectively could I chronicle a wedding and engage the viewer with the couple as much as possible by removing what is essentially the major component in any filmmakers toolkit?

Yes. It’s a wedding video sans video.

Here’s the result - a completely different angle on Charlie and Nikki’s wedding…affectionately known as the ‘chikki’ wedding.

This piece is now a part of my journey towards becoming a better storyteller and it could possibly be something I look at offering in the future.

Obviously a massive thanks to Bushturkey studio for not only capturing and working such great images but also having belief in this vision. This collaboration piece has been through a number of incarnations and the support and fresh perspective offered has been invaluable.

What do you think? How well did you feel Charlie and Nikki’s wedding from this piece and how much do you connect with them from this 5 short minutes?

Any comments or feedback welcome…

27 May 2010 nikki & charlie | kiss me like we’re on film

Nikki and Charlie. Charlie and Nikki. ‘Chikki‘.

An amazing wedding that I’m honoured to include in my body of work. Here’s their day.

Chikki’s ingredients:

cinema: barwick multimedia
photography: bushturkey studio
event planning: byron bay wedding & events
celebrant: michelle shannon
venue: deux belettes country guest house
entertainment: samba blistas, lisa hunt, fire dancers, stiltwalkers - Manoeuvre

15 Dec 2009 Matt & Kim | Deux Belettes wedding
 |  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