Thursday, November 5, 2009

Shannon & Joel E-Session


I had an awesome time working with Shannon and Joel on their engagement shoot. This is something new we have been working on and now offer, it's an "E-Session"! For Shannon and Joel's E-Session, I shot both their video and photos.

The shoot was in Downtown austin, I had pre-scouted out some locations and we spent 3 hours shooting and doing a short interview session. The weather was a bit chilly but Shannon and Joel didn't mind and we got some amazing shots!

I wish I was able to make it to Shannon and Joel's wedding in Tulum Mexico next weekend, but I was already booked for another wedding. Congrats guys and thanks for the beautiful images!








Shannon + Joel's E- Session film -



Contact us for more info on creating a E-Session for you!

Here are a few of the photos -













Monday, October 26, 2009

EventDV Magazine Cover


It's been a busy fall for us. I love this time of year in Austin, the crisp air returns and makes for some amazing outdoor weddings. This past weekend we had a shoot at www.greenpasturesrestaurant.com , the weather was perfect!

We have been shooting from coast to coast over the past two months. A beautiful ranch wedding in Santa Barbra and a sea breeze wedding in Key West. Trailers will be coming soon for these two gorgeous events!

I wanted to share a couple of cool things that have been happening in our world lately. I was blessed to find out that I along with a few other amazing filmmakers ended up on the cover of www.eventdv.com magazine this month. You can find the article about "Fusion" here - EventDV Article

I also just returned from a trip to San Francisco where I was part of a conference teaching about wedding filmmaking. It was called Re:Frame. I had an amazing time talking and learning from other industry pros. San Francisco is a great city with lots of inspiration for a visual artist, it gave me a chance to breath and shoot some really fantastic scenery. I will also be talking at the upcoming In[Focus] event in January here in Austin. It's going to be an great event, so if you missed Re:Frame and want to learn more about wedding filmmaking I suggest you sign up.

I will be posting a lot of new clips over the next month, so keep checking back for more beautiful weddings! Let me leave you with a new edit from my talk at Re:Frame, this is a collection of recent Time-lapses.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Christine + Charles Short Wedding Film

Christine & Charles were married in Houston Texas this past Saturday October 3rd. The wedding took place at St. Annes Catholic Church followed by the reception at Hotel Derek. What a fun wedding!

The ceremony was actually short, about 25 mins. As they were walking back down the isle Charles said "I can't believe it went by so quickly". From there they went on a photo shoot around DT Houston where they were chased by a few afternoon showers.

The cocktail hour started at Hotel Derek around 6pm where the guests were greeted by a candy buffet! Boy, all the green candy look really good, especially the rock candy. But my teeth said no and I had to pass. Once they made their grand entrance dinner was served and everyone danced the night away.

I really enjoyed shooting at Hotel Derek, it was nice to have the DJ set up off the dance floor. This created a cleaner look for the room as well as aided in making both mine and the photographers shots better. I wish more events were set up like this.

Christine and Charles invested in one of our new offerings called the "Next Day Edit". What we create is a 5-6 min highlights film from the wedding. We also edit the film right after the wedding, so you will receive your online version in 4-7 days. As you will see it takes you through all the emotions of the day.The pacing, music and shots are carefully selected and weaved together to create a one of a kind story. Enjoy!



Christine + Charles Ingredients -

Ceremony - www.SaintAnne.org
Reception - www.HotelDerek.com
Photography - www.table4weddings.com
DJ/Lighting - www.LGEntertainers.com

Friday, September 11, 2009

Trash the Dress, Cayman Island Style!

I was super excited when Kate said they wanted to do a TTD (Trash the Dress) shoot the day after the wedding. I knew we had to find some cool locations and I started brain storming right away.

We arrived to Grand Cayman Island 3 days before the wedding which gave us time to scout some locations. We were staying in West Bay on the North side of Seven Mile Beach. Right around the corner from our place was an awesome beach and pier away from the tourist resorts. It made a great location and was empty the day we shot. The other building locations were on the same road as the cottage we stayed in, we even borrowed the bike from the owners to do the shot of Kate and James riding! That was so fun!

Kate & James were so awesome to work with, they smiled and laughed the whole time. I can only imagine how it felt to be in the same dress that just the day before was going down the isle towards James and was now playing in the surf of the Cayman Islands! What an amazing two days!

So here it is, Kate & James Trash the Dress!

Monday, September 7, 2009

Kate + James Grand Cayman Highlights

Kate & James were married on Grand Cayman island on April 4, 2009.

We shot for three days over the event and captured so many great moments. The wedding was held a the Grand Old House on Grand Cayman Island. It had an amazing outdoor deck that ended at the water's edge. Everyday there was a beautiful sunrise and sunset which added to the great island atmosphere.

Kate & James wanted a modern & unique wedding film that had both HD and Super 8mm film. We blended them together during editing to give the film a vintage twist. Here is their Highlights film.



Kate + James's ingredients -

Wedding Planner - Celebrations
Venue - Grand Old House
Photographer - The Nichols

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Shannon + Michael's Same Day Edit

We had a super busy weekend with two Same Day Edits! One in Austin at Vintage Villas and one in Houston at The Sugar Creek Country Club.

Today I want to share with you Shannon + Michael's Same Day Edit. When they first booked with us they just wanted a short form edit, but as they saw more of our Same Day Edits they had to add it!

Everyone loved the SDE, Shannon & Michael said they talked about getting divorced and remarried again just so they could have us do another one for them! But I don't recommend that, haha.

The day was amazing, it started out a bit hot at 102 degrees but by evening time the weather was beautiful. We had the most amazing sunset that made for some of the best shots i've seen. Everyone danced the night away and it all ended with bubbles at the exit.

Here is their Same Day Edit


Shannon + Michael's ingredients -
Venue - Vintage Villas
Flowers - Bouquets of Austin
DJ - Complete Music
Photography - Robert Lu

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Joe Simon on Film Fellas Web Series


FilmFellas: Zacuto Films presents 10 webisodes highlighting avant-garde wedding filmmaking and cinematic storytelling. Cast Four and Five will discuss the changing model of wedding videography and the emergence of Wedding Filmmaking with full-scale productions, camera movement, special effects, scripted concept films, same day edits and more. Steve Weiss, Director of FilmFellas, who started his own film career from 1981 to 1984 by making what was then called, wedding videos, returns to the table along with six exceptional FilmFellas cast members who are changing the landscape of wedding videography/filmmaking/cinematography.

Starting August 5th, Zacuto Films will release their first webisode of FilmFellas Cast Four: “The Artistic Wedding ~ One Take.” Offering a fresh perspective to the fellas cast, Kristen* (Bliss* Video Productions) discusses branding her unique style as a Couture Wedding Filmmaker. “My Job,” states Kristen*, “allows me to be a documentary filmmaker shooting weddings.” John Goolsby, known as The Godfather of Wedding Videography, and a prolific wedding film producer at (www.weddingvideo.com), elaborates on his model of producing over 250 videos a year. Rounding out this cast, Joe Simon (Joe Simon Productions), whose cinematic filmmaking creates some of the most magical, movie-trailer wedding films in the industry, discusses his approach to creating a film for a couple with the same passion and expertise as his independent films. FilmFellas Cast Four Webisodes: Aug 5, Sept 9, Oct 7, Nov 11, & Dec 9, 2009.

To learn more about these featured filmmakers, view behind the scenes footage, watch previous FilmFellas webisodes, and get a sneak peek at other soon to be released Zacuto Films Productions, visit www.Zacuto.com. Starting Aug 5th, watch exclusive full episodes of Cast 4 at http://www.zacuto.com/filmfellas-cast-4 . FilmFellas Cast Five: “The Epic Wedding,” premieres August 12th and Critic’s a new show with Philip Bloom and Steve Weiss premieres August 17th. For more information visit www.zacuto.com .

Friday, August 7, 2009

The f8 Summit // A meeting of the minds

Our studio was chosen to be apart of the first ever f8 summit which took place in Thunder Bay Canada, at the Cinevate headquarters. A meeting of the minds from some of the best in the industry coming together for three days for some big things. We had an amazing experience and can't wait to share with everyone what happened.

Here is a short teaser, there will be a lot more to come!

the f8 summit // a meeting of the minds from Joe Simon Wedding Films on Vimeo.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Callan + Brent's HD Highlights Film

Callan + Brent had a really beautiful wedding! It was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Austin on March 28th 2009.

Callan and Brent both attended Texas Tech, so they had some really cool additions to the wedding. The grooms cake and ice sculpture both dedicated to their school! Brent played football for Tech so Callan wanted to surprise him with something different and cool. She went to the stadium and arranged to shoot bridal portraits, not only did she get photos of her at the stadium but also with the mascot! Bret was so surprised and excited! You can see his reaction in the video it's priceless!

The wedding was set up by Caplan Miller Events an amazing planning company here in austin. Working with Amanda was awesome! Jen Lindberg took amazing photos, I always love working with her, she takes such breathtaking images!

Callan and Brent had great time, they danced the night away with the help of Sauce, the band for the evening. The evening ended with a picture perfect carriage ride off into the city. What a great day!

This is what Callan's mom had to say -
"Well..... I am sitting here with tears rolling down my cheeks!!! Thank
you, thank you, thank you!!! You did an amazing job - LOVE IT!!! I know
that this is something that Callan and Brent will cherish for the rest of
their lives!"



Callan + Brent's ingredients -

Event Planning - Caplan Miller Events

Venue - Four Seasons Hotel

Lighting and Sound - Filo Designs

Photography - Jen Lindberg Weddings

Rentals - Marquee Rents

Ice Sculpture - Amazing Ice Designs

Baker - Michelle's Patisserie

Band - Sauce

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Vanessa + Tony's HD Wedding Trailer

Vanessa and Tony were married at St. Annes Catholic Church in Houston Texas, followed by the reception at The Corinthian. The day started out with bridal prep in the ZAZA Hotel in the Rock Star suite! It had an amazing view of downtown Houston, we shot so many great moments up there.

The ceremony at St. Annes was beautiful, the church had so much character and the interior was just so breathtaking.

From there we headed to The Corinthian for the reception. Lisa Newburn from www.lisanewburnevents.com setup the whole event and it was amazing! The gorgeous flower arrangements were created by www.davidkuriodesigns.com. In any direction we shot there was an amazing floral setup, it was a pleasure documenting such a perfect wedding.

When Vanessa and Tony arrived the guests were ecstatic, the huge applause lead them to the dance floor for their first dance. After a bit of dancing a savory filet was served by www.jacksonandcompany.com, one of the best steaks I've ever had!

The night went on with lots of dancing and partying. The band was amazing and kept the floor going for hours of fun. Vanessa and Tony had a dream wedding, and when it was all over they knew it was the time of their lives!

This is the trailer for their upcoming video -



Vanessa + Tony's ingredients -

Event Planning - www.lisanewburnevents.com
Photography - www.donnanewman.com
Flowers - www.davidkuriodesigns.com
Catering - www.jacksonandcompany.com
Sound - www.goprosound.com