You've been planning this for months.  Pouring over flower choices, tasting cakes, interviewing photographers.  Many times, your wedding video is the last thing on your mind.  But it shouldn't be.  A great video will be something that you look back on. Something you watch on your anniversary.  Something you treasure.  Don't leave it to chance.  Here are five things to discuss with your videographer to get a great video.

#1. Location, location, location. Share diagrams or the layout of your venue. Invite your videographer to attend meetings with your wedding planner and/or to tour your space before the big day. It will help your videographer plan out where to be and how to position cameras, lighting, and angles. Your video will end up having an intentional feel.

#2.  Audio/DJ.   Connect your videographer with your DJ and your venue's audio contact. This can allow your videographer to gain access to crisp, clean audio to use in your video. You will appreciate this most when you won't have to strain to hear what your maid-of-honor and best-man said during their speeches.

#3. Emotion.   In the end, this video should help remind you as much of the feelings and emotions of your day, as of the event that happened at your wedding. Tell your videographer what type of "feel" you want. Do you want something sentimental, funny, serious, or all of the above? Each videographer has their own style, and by discussing what you want, you're expectations are more likely to be met.

#4. What to capture.   How much of your big day do you want memorialized on video? Should your videographer capture the wedding preparations (getting dressed, make up, etc), the first look, the ceremony, reception, speeches, etc.? The amount captured may affect the overall cost of the video, so make sure to address this up front.  And if there is something specific or special you want highlighted in the video, cover this too.

5. Access. Consider how "invasive" you are willing to allow your videographer to be. Do you want them to stay in the background? Are you OK with them being among your guests, on the dance floor, in view of guests during the ceremony? You'll want to find a balance between allowing your videographer to get great footage while not distracting from your day.

BONUS TIP!  Point out your crazy uncle, the groomsman or bridesmaid mostly likely to make a scene, or the guests you know will get out of hand. Your videographer will love you for helping to capture (or avoid) the unexpected.

I hope this short video inspires you to keep pushing, to keep dreaming, and to keep striving for you own goals.

YouTube "CIM SloMo"

Whether running a race, starting a business, or learning a new craft...  "slow & steady" has always brought be confidence that I'll see the finish line.  Don't get me wrong, along the way, there will be times when you laser focus, when you jump before looking, and when you feel like you can't take another step.

I couldn't partake in my marathon this year, but I'll be back. I'll keep pushing, dreaming, and striving because I know I have it in me to finish.

One of the greatest joys I get in telling stories is helping organizations spread their message of joy and hope.  Most charities struggle financially just to keep the doors open, and rarely have extra funds to promote their message.  I have been fortunate to work with, and create the promotional videos for, the Mustard Seed School of Sacramento, CA and Mountain Circle Family Services of Greenville, CA which provide emergency educational services for homeless children and foster care services, respectively.

I become very invested in the stories I tell, none more so than when promoting the work of charities.  When working with the Mustard Seed School of Sacramento, I brought to life a world few realize exists.  For reasons completely beyond their control, children can find themselves without a home, which can lead them to be without access to education.  I spent time with the staff of the Mustard Seed School to depict how the work they do impact children in a positive way emotionally, physically, financially, and psychologically.

I am also an avid runner, and while participating in a race called "Running With the Bears" put on by Mountain Circle Family Services, I immersed myself in relating the plights of our forgotten foster children.  Often stuck in a cycle of moving from house to house, from family to family, the toll the foster system takes on children is immeasurable.  My films help to find new foster families and provide "forever homes" to children in need.

Stories of hope are all around us, but often just out of the limelight.  I would love the chance to help your charity tell your story.