Even though the day got off to a late and hectic start, everything worked out perfectly for an awesome surprise Same Day Edit.
Kevin & Jillian were a very sweet couple. Kevin knew just the right thing to say to make Jillian relax. Each week we try to capture the details that make a couple unique. Kevin & Jillian made our job easy from the deep breaths to the pinky hold. At one point during the SDE Kevin turned to me and gave me the head nod (guy language for ‘nicely done sir’ or ‘nice car’ depending on the context). We knew we had done well.
The first question people always ask after we show a SDE is, “How did you do that?” I usually joke like it was no big deal but the real answer is “Through a lot of HARD work!”
Today is our 11 year anniversary. I really can’t believe it has been that long. It seems like just yesterday we were saying ‘I Do’ and yet it feels like there was never a time that we have been apart. I can’t imagine (nor do I want to imagine) my life without Susy. She knows all my faults and loves me still. She knows all my good qualities and makes them better.
She is the best cook, gardener, and accountant I know. If it weren’t for her I would be broke and probably living in a box. Because of her, I have a house, 2 cars, 3 cats, a dog, and the best life I could have ever hoped for or dreamed of.
I have put her through a lot of things and she has stood by me. When I decided to go full time with 2nd Mile Productions she was completely supportive even though we had only 5 weddings booked for the next 12 months. Now we spend 24 hours a day, 7 days a week together and we love it. When she runs to the post office or the bank, I miss her.
Every week when looking through the viewfinder at the bride and groom I think, “I hope they find the happiness that Susy and I stumbled upon.
I love you Suz! I look forward to getting old with you!
Memorial Day is set aside for us to remember the men and women who have given their lives in service to our great country. No matter what your political or social beliefs, you have to recognize that it is through the sacrifice and service of our military forces that we are allowed to enjoy the abundant freedoms that we claim in this country as rights.
My brother-in-law Alex served for many years in the Army having two tours in Iraq. My cousin Frank is in the Marines and currently deployed to Afghanistan. I am proud of both of them.
This weekend, at Kevin & Sarah’s wedding, Kevin’s friend that is currently deployed to Iraq surprised everyone by showing up in his fatigues (as he had JUST gotten off the plane). Later that night he was in his dress blues and got a standing ovation from the whole reception hall when Kevin recognized him during a toast. I love to see this outpouring of appreciation!
This past week, Susy and I filmed a memorial and committal service for a young man who had served 12 years in the Army spending one tour in Iraq. While I did not know David while he was alive, I felt like I knew him by the end of the memorial service. During the memorial service, the men who were currently serving our country here and abroad were given a standing ovation. Amazing!
Even though David was not killed in battle, he was given a burial with full military honors at the Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, OH. Below is the Tribute Video that we put together for his family and friends.
I want to give a heart felt thank you David and all the men and women of our armed forces. Our thoughts and prayers are with you this day and all days. Thank you for defending the freedoms of this great country and protecting us from those that would do us harm. Come home safely and God’s Speed!
As anyone who follows the blog knows, we don’t normally do cheesy “set-up” shots in our video. We capture the action as it happens and tell the story. When Sarah told me the song she wanted to use for the SDE she said, “I don’t want anything too sappy!”. Obviously the theme in this song is hard to ignore so Susy and I decided to have a little fun with it and keep the mood light.
It was great to catch up with Matt & Suzi who will be celebrating two years in July. Sarah actually learned about us when she saw their SDE.
Thanks to the Marino Brothers for the audio hook up. After the SDE he said, “Our company does 500 weddings a year and that is the best we have seen!”. Quite a compliment!
A production note: The date and name shots at the beginning and end of the video are not computer graphics, they are real numbers and letters that Susy had hidden away in the office because as she said, “I knew we might use them someday”. I am glad she did.
I know that the blog posts have been a little sparse lately but have no fear… wedding season is here.
Susy and I were really excited that we not only got to spend the day with a great couple but also with our friends Ted & Rachel from Linczak Photography. When I talked to Rachel before the wedding she was so excited to photograph this wedding because as she put it “Adam & Kristin are gorgeous”. She was right!
One of the reasons I really enjoy producing and showing Same Day Edits is to see the instant reaction for family, friends, and especially the couple. When the dancing shot with the champagne glass came on the screen (Susy’s shot BTW) Kristin turned to me and said, “You guys are AWESOME!”. That makes all the hard work and stress of pulling off a SDE completely worth it!
