If you follow this blog, you know I am a HUGE advocate of getting your wedding filmed.  I have often run clips and quotes from Vanessa McKellar, but have never actually run a full on interview. Before we get to the interview though, let me talk real quick about wedding films in general.

Every now and then when I meet with a bride, they mention that they are not getting a videographer because they don’t think it’s all that important.  A quote I hear frequently is, “We are already getting photos, and we can always have someone set up camera a in the back.” 

Now, the reason many people don’t understand the value of a great wedding film is because all they have seen is footage from a friends wedding where it was just that: a camera set up in the back.  A good wedding videographer will take your day and turn it into a movie.  Beautiful images, great camera work, a soundtrack, and most important of all, your voices.  That’s right, you talking.  This is one of the areas where wedding photos just don’t do your day justice.  You will experience so many emotions and thoughts on your day and not having someone document you saying those feelings will be something you regret.  Anyway, Vanessa actually did a little blog post contrasting the differences between wedding photography and videography a few weeks back and used some photos from Your’s Truly.  (Take a look at it here.)

Before we get to the interview, here is a short little trailer she recently finished.  Take a look at it, then scroll down to read more about her.

How did you get started & how long have you been doing this?

I think my story really starts in the 90’s, when my love for weddings blossomed. I designed wedding dresses, subscribed to Martha Stewart Weddings magazine, all that stuff. I wanted to be a wedding coordinator when I grew up. Then when I went to film school at UT Austin, I decided that I should combine my two passions and become a wedding filmmaker.

I’ve been in the industry since 2001, when I started shooting and editing for wedding videographers while I was in school. When I graduated in ’03, I used my savings to buy a camera and computer, and I haven’t looked back since!

Also, in the summer of ’08 my husband quit his day job in sales to come work with me full time, and it’s been fabulous. He brings a different eye to the table and I’m so excited with how he’s contributing with his filming and editing.

What is your favorite part about your job?

There’s no way I could pick one. First off, I love arriving the day of the wedding and seeing what the bride’s dress looks like, what color the flowers are, all those things the make a wedding a wedding. Every event is different and beautiful in its own way and I enjoy the aesthetics of it all.

My other favorite part is when I’m editing and it just “clicks” and I make myself cry. Might sound a little silly, but when the imagery and music combine to create something timeless, emotional, and touching, I know I’ve got the best job in the world.

What sets you apart from other wedding filmmakers?

For one thing, I’m female, and there aren’t a lot of female filmmakers out there. I’m a recently married bride, so I can completely empathize with everything a bride goes through on her wedding day and in the planning process. Plus, Vanessa McKellar Productions is a husband and wife team, so while I’m with the girls, there’s also someone the groomsmen can feel comfortable with too. And lastly, I have a blog that’s full of my videos and also wedding planning tips and ideas; it’s a great resource for brides.

What’s your favorite thing to film at wedding?

I love the few minutes right after the ceremony when all the bride and groom’s family and friends gather around and congratulate them. I think it’s one of the purest and most uncontrived moments of the whole day; everyone’s so excited about what has just taken place. Hugs and smiles and jokes and kisses all around. Brent likes to film crazy awesome moves on the dance floor.

When not filming weddings what are you doing?

Editing weddings! Beyond that I like to make jewelry, watch movies, read wedding blogs , eat out with my hubby, clean and/or decorate our new house, and chat with my amigas. Brent just tries to find something to do to counteract all the fufu female estrogen vibes everywhere.

OK, now that you totally love Vanessa and know you want her at your wedding, let me just show you one of my favorite things that she does. These are called Love Stories and they are AMAZING. It’s a perfect way for your friends and family to hear how you met. These are perfect for showing at your rehearsal dinner or even during your wedding. (Instead of that slideshow that has embarrassing baby photos of you growing up.) And, think of how cool it will be for your kids and grandkids to hear from your own mouth how you fell in love.

Vanessa McKellar Productions
http://www.videobrideblog.com/
http://www.VanessaMcKellar.com/
903.894.6078

When chatting with brides, one of the things I always encourage them to do is get their wedding filmed. Photos are obviously important, they help feed my family, and they are something that you can place all over your house and look at over and over day in and day out. A good wedding video is a completely different thing. It really becomes like your favorite movie. When it first comes out, you may watch it 2-5 times over and over. (Think back to Titanic girls.) Then, as the years go by, you watch it once or twice a year. It becomes a way of refreshing your memory of your day. The sounds and music remind you of the feelings you had or tell part of the story you may have already forgotten.

When Danielle and I were married, we just had a few friends with cameras film it for us. It is the single biggest regret we have about that day. We have plenty of “home movie” like footage of our wedding, but nothing at all like what a good videographer would have been able to document for us. I can’t encourage you enough to book a videographer; it’s just something you HAVE to do.

Anyway, one of the best videographers in the area is Vanessa McKellar. I love her work and I love working with her and her husband, Brent. I thought I’d share a few of her recent videos from weddings we have shot together just to give you guys a taste of how powerful video can be.

Erika & Phil (Wedding Post)


Some Super 8 video goodness.

Stephanie & Michael (Wedding Post)

Davi & Jonathan (Wedding Post)

This is a super example of where photos just don’t do the moment justice. This is a shot from their First Look.

Now, watch this trailer and see that First Look in action.

Kim & Josh (Wedding Post)

Click here to jump to Vanessa’s blog and see more of her work.

Hey super fun times! Some of my photography has been featured on yet another website! This makes the third time people have mistaken my work for superb photography. :)

(The other two were Hot Pink Brides & Rock n Roll Bride.)

Anyway, this times comes courtesy of Bride’s Cafe. A great little website with tons of tips for all you brides out there. They post new stuff daily so be sure and bookmark them and get ready to have your brain filled with ideas.

The images they are featuring are Davi & Jonathan’s wedding at Elmwood Gardens, and the best part is they also have the movie trailer Vanessa McKellar did for them, so after you watch the Bride’s Cafe post, hop over to Vanessa’s website to see more movie magic.

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Erika & Phil had and amazing little wedding in Gore, OK this past week. I was honored to be there documenting the day and can’t even begin to explain how neat it was to see a wedding unfold without many of the “extra stuff” that we just assume come with weddings these days. It was neat to see a couple share a day with only their family. When I was asking Phil about their decision to have such a small wedding the thing that stood out to me was this little quote: “I don’t’ want to be meeting new people on my wedding day.” It was such a small thing, but going to weddings week after week I sometimes get sad to see just how much time a bride and groom spend being shuffled from table to table saying hello to complete strangers while their close friends and family are left in the background of the day.

Anyway, all that to say.  There is no “wrong” way to have your wedding.  What works for some people may not work for you, and don’t be scared to try something different.  It’s your day and that last thing you want to do is look back on it and wish you had done the thing you always dreamed of doing.

It looked to me like an eyelash torture device, but I’m guessing this is something most girls do?

The super talented tandem of Vanessa & Brent McKellar were also there filming and making their movie magic. (I can’t wait for the wedding trailer)

Erika didn’t have any toothpaste so I ran to my van and shared mine. It was the last little bit of paste, but I’m sure Phil was thankful for it.

There’s always that point of the day where it “hits” brides that they are getting married. This was Erika’s moment.

Phil had a great reaction to seeing his bride come down the aisle.

One of the cool things they did during their ceremony was plant a tree. (Try doing that inside a church.)

Here is a quick little overload on details.

I blogged this last image for the sneak peak, but love it too much to not include it in their full post.

Erika & Phil, thank you for making me feel like family and for trusting me with your day.

Warning 1: If you don’t like to look at lots of pictures of incredible photogenic and cool people this post may not be for you.

Warning 2: Davi is an English teacher so I’m going to type this out and not spell check or proof read it jsut to make her mad and show everyone just how horrible I am at spelling and such :)

I absolutely LOVE spedning the day from beginiing to end with my brides. This is one of my favorite shots fromt he day.

Her and her mom getting ready for the day.



The guys were rockin’ the Chuck Taylors

Davi was absolutely giddy on her way to the First Look.

I love giving couples these quite moments alone together. It’s my favorite part of the day.

A bit of fun at teh formals.

Reason #284 why Jonathan makes a great groom. When the ring bearers are freaking out and don’t want to be still for the photos, he jsut squats next to them and makes it look cool.

Jonathan’s mom did an amazing job on their wedding cake.

I am crazy about theses next two shots. It’s just them being sweet to each other. Nothing posed or force. Just two people who are crazy about each other .



Casey Brown of CMB Music Productions was there and he brought his laser lights. It really helped set the mood for the dancing and made the photos that much cooler. (You brides who are booking him for your wedding, be sure and pay the little bit extra it cost for those. They are totally worth it!)

Anytime a 100 dollar bill makes an appearace, you know it was a good Dollar Dance.



There were 3, count em, 3 former Alex M. brides at this wedding! Canon has not cut his hair since his wedding, Kerri the trampoline bride was there, and it’s great to know Tonya still likes to dance with her dad.

Once it was pitch black outside we snuck out for a few more shots and I’m glad we did.

Venue: Elmwood Gardens
Videographer: Vanessa McKellar
DJ: CMB Music Productions
Flowers: Dagley’s Flowers (903) 729-8665
Hair Stylist: Amanda @ T&G Hair (903) 729-0318