Christmas Rush

As the holidays set in... Families come together, I have been working extremely hard over the last few months on the stack of wedding edits that accumulated over the summer. I will be posting various pieces over the next few days as FED EX makes a bundle from Alta Resort Productions due to pre Christmas deliveries. Check back here regularly as I will be putting up teasers of your day!

SOPHIE & KELLY

SYDNEY & SEAN

CRYSTAL & MIKE

I wish all a very Happy Holiday Season and thank you for your patronage in the past.

MERRY CHRISTMAS :-)

jt

Summer is Over ... Edit Season is On

Summer of 2010 will go down in the books as an extremely busy one. By establishing a mirror company in the Kelowna called Okanagan Digital Media in 2009, I have exponentially increased my exposure AND workload. I am now commuting back and forth between the Bow Valley... Canmore/Banff/Lake Louise and the Okanagan Valley... Penticton/Kelowna/Vernon. Both of the valleys are wedding hotbeds and both allow me the opportunity to further sell and produce corporate/promotional videos to companies globally.

Summer is typically when 80% of the weddings take place, which means mid September I become a recluse in the studio and edit-edit-edit. Each wedding takes on a story of it's own and I do my best to give each story it's fair amount of time to creatively be told. Remember, this is NOT a cookie cutter process! If you give me the time to be creative in the edit of your wedding video, you will not be disappointed in the final product... That I promise.

jt

"Trash the Dress"

Trash the Dress,(TTD) additionally called rock the frock, is a style of wedding photography/videography that is a love it or hate it. Most often done with only the bride & groom, shot with a traditional style in a non traditional location that includes in the water, on city streets, on rooftops, in garbage dumps, fields, and abandoned buildings. Throw all the traditional rules out the window and find a way to put on your "Beetlejuice".

The idea of destroying your wedding dress 1st appeared in October 1998 when a bride ran into the ocean in her wedding dress after her wedding was badly interrupted. Since then the style has spread around the world with photographers creatively shooting unique sessions of "Trash the Dress".

Most often done as an additional shoot after the wedding, almost as a declaration that the wedding is done and the dress will not be used again. It is seen as an alternative to storing the dress away, never to be seen again. Some brides have even been known to purchase a second less expensive version of their dress to trash.

Above is a little look behind the scenes at a "Trash the Dress" session earlier this spring with Vernon photographer Kyle Perison.

jt

Wherever-Whenever... Destination Weddings

I love shooting weddings... here, there and everywhere! I also like to provide peace of mind to my couples... The only thing I want them to be thinking about on their wedding day is each other. Leave the details to the pros you have chosen for your wedding day.



I have been shooting weddings for 20+ years and during that time through the relationships I have developed, requests are made for me to travel to places around the world and cover weddings for couples wanting the same service and quality I offer at home. It really is about the piece of mind I offer and making sure you get what you pay for and not a foreign speaking video production company that might not have the same capabilities or talents that I can offer. So why don't you take Alta Resort Productions with you? I always provide extra coverage beyond what is called for as I love to be a part of the "destination wedding experience". Regular pricing of our wedding video packages apply and I am simple and rounded for the "additional costs". This includes ALL costs. Transportation, Accomodations, Car Rental, Food and Incidentals. You will not pay a dime more! In the US/Caribbean/Mexico ADD $1500, In Europe/Asia/Australia ADD $2500. Call me today to arrange your Destination Wedding Video Coverage... Here in Banff or wherever your dreams want to take you :-)

jt

GREEN Invitations

Save trees and send a video invitation... It is a lot simpler than it sounds. Great for both corporate events and weddings! With today's communication mix and connectedness sending a video invitation for a corporate retreat, sales meeting or news release far exceeds the effectiveness of the old traditional method of paper in the mail... and it is GREEN to boot.

Depending on the group of people you are trying to reach or invite, you might not need to use one piece of paper in the process... Think about sending a video invitation for your next corporate event or a "Save the Date" invitation for a wedding with all the particulars included in the video...

jt

CORPORATE & WEDDINGS huh??

One of the 1st questions I get asked when people find out that I'm a professional videographer is what type of videos do you shoot. It is a loaded question with an answer that has changed over the years, based on my transparency & comfort level. Over the last 10 years or so, after I gained a level of COMPLETE confidence I tell people, I shoot various corporate videos (promotional, training, educational, incentive, commercial) and I shoot weddings.

A CEO/Presidents's DAUGHTER'S WEDDING

There are a lot of video production companies that won't admit to shooting weddings... Why you ask? Because the video industry tended to look down on the video professionals that would shoot weddings, as if they were inferior in talent and skills. Many video production companies still go to the extra length of hiding the fact that they shoot for two industries, by producing two different websites, one for CORPORATE VIDEOs and the other for WEDDING VIDEOs. Are they ashamed by one or the other? Do they want prospective clients not to know of their full capabilities?

In my 22 + years as a professional videographer, I have come to the belief that I am a better wedding videographer, because I shoot and produce corporate videos & conversely a better corporate videographer due to the fact I shoot wedding videos. IMHO it is the perfect cross-training. A couple of examples... Weddings are an event where you get ONE opportunity to get it right... There is no "Take Two"! Due to this training, when I'm in front of a Fortune 500 company CFO-CEO doing a interview piece, I get it right the 1st time. Time is money to the corporate world & I don't waste their time or money. An example going in the opposite direction... Corporate videos usually sell a product or educate... When you get to the heart of a wedding video, I'm truly selling the love in a relationship and educating the viewers to a love story that needs to be told.

BRIDE's UNCLE & SUPERBOWL w/CADILLAC

There are many instances where I have done weddings for corporate clients directly (Themselves) or indirectly (Friends & Family) because I didn't HIDE the fact I provide both services, and even more going the other way with initial wedding clients booking my services on a corporate level. The truth is I love being a part of both industries and can honestly say I wouldn't want to pick between the two if I had to choose.

Shooting at the Super Bowl for Cadillac because of meeting the contact at a wedding or covering a wedding in New York for the daughter of the President who's company I had been doing corporate work with! I'd love to see you make a decision. I get the best of both worlds :-)

jt

Photo Booth Rentals for Weddings

Planning a wedding can be a time-consuming, stressful, and confusing chore. Your wedding day should be special. It is perhaps the most important event of your life. Yet, if you are like most brides-to-be, the bulk of your planning efforts will be focused on the reception: choosing the theme, the décor, the food, music, etc. One simple way to ensure your wedding reception is an exciting occasion your friends will envy is to incorporate a photo booth into your plan.

Not only does a photo booth show your appreciation for the family members and friends sharing your nuptials with you, it also makes them fully a part of the occasion. Guests like to feel they belong, and everyone loves a picture show!

While the bride, groom, and members of the wedding party are off with the official photographer, guests are often left in awkward silence at the reception site, awaiting the wedding party's arrival. One way to create a unique, fun, and welcoming atmosphere and set the tone for the celebration to follow is to invite guests to have their photos taken in a portable photo booth. Your guests can have their pictures made by themselves, in wacky pairs, or in creative groups.

This ice-breaking activity encourages guests to mix, mingle, and feel completely at ease with the group. The excitement generated by the first few “models” is so contagious, even your most reserved guests will find it hard to resist joining in. You will find reception guests popping in and out of the booth amid gales of laughter and silly snickering all night long!

Photo booth rentals have been gaining popularity among event & wedding planners as a way to incorporate FUN into the event. In recent years, they have become a prominent feature of celebrity-style events. For example, Beyonce and Hugh Hefner included photo booths at their birthday parties. Dr. Phil's son, Jay used one at his wedding. After each of the guests were invited to step inside to snap 4 individual photos, the photo strips were placed in a wedding scrapbook—in lieu of a formal guestbook. The photo strips also make unique, custom favors your guests will enjoy for years to come.

It is possible to rent a photo booth for anywhere between $700-$1500. This includes delivery, installation, and a dedicated attendant. Most digital photo booths will print pictures in color, black and white, or sepia. Some photo booth rentals include options for printing CDs or maintaining online photo galleries that you and your guests can revisit long after the honeymoon.

In years to come, you will treasure the formal photographs taken at your wedding as heirloom reminders of this important day. However, the photo booth will capture hundreds of candid shots of your family and friends at their truest, most lovable selves. The zany poses, goofy faces, and spontaneous giggling emanating from the photo booth will really immortalize the moment.

FOR MORE INFO REGARDING OUR PHOTOBOOTH RENTALS GO TO THE LINK ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE HOME PAGE :-)

jt

The SDE or "Same Day Edit"

Did the bride see the groom's eyes start to tear up as she was approaching him? Did the father of the bride see how beautifully you captured that kiss as he gave his daughter away? Does the best man know that his handoff of the wedding bands was captured for posterity? Does the groom know that his fiancee's eyes welled up when he slid the ring on her finger. Does the groom realize how far off the ground his new wife was as they embraced for that first kiss?

"Remember, most people didn't get to see the close shots of the bride and groom in they same way the bride & groom saw each other. Or the emotion in their faces as they exchanged their vows, the ring slipping on the finger". People are used to seeing a photo montage or even a love story (at the reception), but a wedding-day edit is truly breathtaking."

The most popular option by far is to see the highlights of your wedding fully edited and ready for viewing @9PM on the night of the wedding. Essentially an instant replay that can be uploaded to the internet for the rest of the world to see the on same day! Above is Margarita and Mike's SDE filmed in Canmore May 2010.

jt

Capturing Moments...Creating Memories

Moments... there are so many special "Once in a Lifetime" moments that happen on a wedding day. All brides and grooms realize this, but some don't realize how fast the memories fade or are observed by others and not themselves because their focus is elsewhere during the "best day of their lives". The day zooms by so quickly, that before you know it your head is hitting the pillow and you are discussing the day with your new husband or wife saying "I didn't see that or I don't even remember that happening". This is where Alta Resort comes in... Allow us to be the eyes and ears for you. Let us capture those moments so they don't fade from your memories and you ARE able to relive them in full sound and motion.

Many couples have requested something MORE than the short highlight video. You asked, and here I have delivered. The 1st sample below is of a "With This Ring" video and the 2nd one is the 1st part of a "From this Moment" package. Remember, your video will be different than these because your wedding day is subject to many variables, far too many to mention. I can't promise yours will be the best I've ever produced, but I can promise that it will always be "YOURS", which you will treasure for ever.

jt

Destination Wedding Banff or Lake Louise

As far as scenic spots go, Banff & Lake Louise are two that seem to claim top positions on many people's lists. Couple's from around the world often dream of having their wedding take place at either resort. It is easier than you think! It can be a simple two person affair or an elegant over the top gala event at the castle like Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel or on the shores of the lake at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. There are ways you can plan it yourself with help from the wedding vendors at Banff Bride or have the details and planning taken care of professionally by the experts at Signature Weddings by Jenna or Elegant Banff Occasions. The event can be a weekend affair as shown above that includes, a elegant tea party for the ladies and a round of golf for the gentlemen followed by the ceremony & reception. Naturally, we at Alta Resort Productions can capture it all for you and turn it into a priceless treasure that will be enjoyed and relived by yourself, family and friends for many years to come.

jt

A Priceless Investment

I promise you this... You will treasure your wedding DVD forever. You will use it to recall those moments that you cannot remember & those that will fade with time. The adage is very true that you get what you pay for. Professional wedding video production can range from $600 to $10,000 depending on the amount of coverage and creative post production you want. Within that range is also a wide range of VALUE between services as well. The contemporary bride & groom know that not all video companies are created equal. Most people will forget a poor meal, a boring DJ, an old limo, or slightly faded flowers. In a week or two, all those problems would fade away. But in the case of your photography and video, you are investing in them to stir your memory. Video is usually last on your list before your wedding, BUT 1st on your list the day you get back from your honeymoon! Memories are always undervalued before the event and priceless after.

ALTA RESORT PRODUCTIONS provides Wedding Videography in Banff Calgary Kelowna Vancouver & Destinations Worldwide.

jt

Same Service & Quality - New Look

This is the 1st opportunity to say HI to all potential new clients and welcome back to many from the past coming for a visit. The Alta Resort website needed some updating and after tedious hours of much design consideration I'm proud to present what you see here... I have changed some of the Wedding Video packages and prices to reflect the wants and desires of "TODAY's" brides & grooms.

Let me know your thoughts... If there is something missing, let me know. Is there too much information, or have we come up with the right amount? This blog will keep you informed with the latest news in ARP's video production world. I will be posting video trailers, teasers, and updates to keep all of my readers informed of our latest going ons. Thanks for dropping by... Don't forget to say hi...

jt