Are there Bridezillas

I was recently talking to a reporter for an on line blog about the wedding profession and how I deal with "bridezillas". I'm sorry but in the 10+ years I've been doing weddings I really haven't met one of these people. I think the term bridezilla was coined by Fox 40 or some other sleeze news station. I frequently get calls from networks, offering to buy my footage of bad brides. First of all, I would never...NEVER put my clients in that situation. And second, I can't think of a time when I had footage of a bride or groom acting in a way that would make a network interested.

Reality check. Brides these days are intelligent and organized. They read articles about different types of wedding and know what they want. When they come into the studio and talk with me or with my photographers, they have an idea. Of course there will always be the ones who go way left or right, but isn't that what "their day" is all about? I once had a bride who wanted to have her husbands tractor drive them off to the music "she thinks my tractor's sexy" I suggested she steal his boots and paint them white, she went even further and put rhine stones on them, it was a kick! The video was great and everyone loved it. Do what your vision tells you! Have fun. (oh yeah...I hope you're doing well, write and say hello sometime).

I was asked what the hardest bride to work with was. Sorry, once again the only dumb question is one that is asked by a reporter trying to "make a story". I like it when my clients ask questions. I was once asked what we wear to a wedding. I think that was a very intelligent question. I suspect the client had no clue but was setting a base line for when she spoke with other vendors. Do I have insurance, can they pick their own music, yes ask away. If a vendor gets annoyed with all the questions then you should seriously ask why and maybe move on. Insulting a client with an attitude of "hey I can't believe you are asking this" or "do you have any idea what my job entails" is strange and not professional. My feeling is, for the 9 hours you hire me to shoot your wedding, you own me. If you want me to shoot the puppy running down the street, then watch out puppy the production company is moving your way! Of course I frown on things like getting naked or killing someone, unnecessarily of course.

One thing about new vendors who move up the ladder quickly, and gain an attitude have to remember. We do weddings nearly every week (if we're lucky)...couples don't. We need to guide, give suggestions, show what others have done, but not act as if the client should see us as the last word, or that we should not be questioned. I leave that attitude for my doctor...OH NO there goes all the physicians weddings....darn it.

So, I keep looking at the magazine to see when my interview will publish. It's been over 6 months and nothing. I think I might have been too up front. Oh well, this is my soapbox and I get to publish my thoughts. Now I just have to figure out how to connect it to my website so others can see it.

Keep asking questions, keep reading articles. A well informed bride is a great client. There are no dumb questions there are no ugly brides! Just old fat videographers.

Eagle Foundation

Echo Media Productions (EMP) in co-production with Model A Technology (MAT) is proud to announce that we have been hired by the American Bald Eagle Foundation of Haines Alaska to create an Eagle documentary for the Foundation. The Foundation is visited by hundreds of tourists each year to learn more about the hundreds of bald eagles that visit Haines in October and November. The foundation helps raise and return injured eagles back to the wilderness, at the same time educating the public on the birds.

Dan and Jim will be travelling to Haines during the week of September 14th to start filming the eagles along with several interviews of people who are experts in the bald eagles and their habitat. Equipment was shipped up to Haines in advance since you cannot get to Haines other than by air or sea.

We will return in November for the yearly Eagle Week Festival where (with luck) we will have a chance to interview former Governor Sarah Palin and possibly U.S. Senator Gary Hart who has expressed an interest in returning after a recent visit. Both of which have contributed to legislation towards the preservation of the birds.

We're really excited to be selected for this project. The logistics of equipment movement is finished and sponsors for the film have been signed (Wings of Alaska and The National Bank of Alaska) now we just have to get up very early and start the trek!

Stay posted to this blog for updates from the Great Norther Exposure!