First Floor Films Wedding Videos | Philadelphia | San Francisco | New York

Joyce & Addy | Photo Session

Joyce & Addy held their wedding on a warm and gorgeous day at Corde Valle Resort, tucked away in the hills above Silicon Valley in San Martin, California. We were very happy to be a part of their celebration. Joyce looked stunning in all 3 of her dresses that day. The following clip is from the photo session which was led by Joseph Hong of Seattle's John & Joseph Photography. Congratulations Joyce & Addy. Thank you for having us capture your special day!

3,2,1 Special for the Month of February

We are running our first ever booking special for the month of February.  What is it you say?  Well, we are offering discounts on all of our videography packages provided that you (the bride and or groom) book your 2009 wedding with us (First Floor Films) by the end of February of this year!

The special is as follows:

3 - $300 off our premiere Package A

2 - $200 off Package B

1 - $100 off Package C

Please e-mail (pete@firstfloorfilms.com) for availability and  information on our packages and the 3,2,1 February special.  Happy February!

Pete

Test Footage from the new Canon 5D MarkII

My friend and wedding photographer Jenn Childress recently purchased a new Canon 5D MarkII. I took it for a test run around Jenn's office while she was doing some work. This is the first bit of video that I have shot with a DSLR. The shallow DOF is incredible. I love the look of video shot with a wide open aperture. However, hand holding a DSLR while shooting video makes for some shaky footage.
I am well aware that this may be the absolute nerdiest post I have ever made to this blog. And many brides/brides to be will probably not share my enthusiasm for this clip. But, because I am a closeted huge nerd, I found it very interesting! Anyway, here is the first test. You can see it in HD here.

Phun with Philly Photogs

Earlier this winter a few local area wedding photographers and I met up and headed into the cold streets of Philadelphia to shoot some photos, video and super-8 film....kinda just for fun. I put this video together of our exploits. The featured Philadelphia based wedding photographers including myself are: Sofia Negron, Ryan Estes, Joy Moody and Jenn Childress.
Yes, we are all that dorky.
Yes, it was a lot of fun.
No, I don't regularly take my pants off in public.

Married | Holly & Steve

Right after the new year, Jenn Childress and I photographed Holly & Steve's wedding. It was both of our's 1st wedding of the year. Is that how you say that? Both of our's? Anyway...yes...first wedding of 2009! I was happy to come along and assist Jenn with Holly & Steve's ceremony at Saint Mary's Church in Conshohocken and for a brief period at their reception which was held at The Blue Bell Country Club. Congratulations Holly & Steve. I'm sure by now, everyone has had the chance to warm up from our freezing formal shots at sunset!

Coming Soon | Jaryn & Brian on Super-8 Film

Jaryn & Brian had a beautiful ceremony at St. Paul's in South Philadelphia early this winter. We were able to shoot some Super-8 film footage throughout the pre-ceremony preparations and a bit more after the ceremony as photographer Ryan Estes led us all through a very hip and interesting urban photo shoot. Once the sun went down and the temperature dropped a bit, we headed into The Loews Hotel where Jeannine McKnight of Jean Louise Design orchestrated an elegant and stylish reception. Jellyroll played into the night and pretty much brought the house down as everyone danced up a storm!
Congratulations Jaryn & Brian. Enjoy your trailer!

Jane & Patrick | Highlights

Jane & Patrick were married last spring at The Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, California. Dawn and I flew out for the first of many 2008 west coast weddings. This was Dawn's first trip to beautiful and perpetually warm Southern Cal!
Jane and Patrick celebrated their wedding day on a stunningly beautiful, cloudless and HOT day. The ceremony was held right next to the million dollar yachts on Balboa Bay which made for a serene setting, with one exception. Right as the processional began a yacht with loud, bumpin' beats and half naked revelers floated on by. This would have been quite distracting if it weren't for Jane and Patrick's laid back style. They were obviously so happy to be getting married that nothing could take their attention off one another.
This is the Ending Highlights section of their wedding video. Congratulations Jane & Patrick!

Barb & Mark's wedding on Super-8mm Film

Barb & Mark held their wedding at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul in Philadelphia. We shot a few rolls of Super-8 film during the preparations, the ceremony and a little bit after the ceremony while we still had some light. A squirrel ran through the ceremony as well but I was unfortunately not quick enough to capture the little guy on film! Barb & Mark followed their ceremony with a beautiful reception hosted at The Cescaphe Ballroom.
I also had the pleasure of working closely with photographers Gabriel & Phillip Fredericks of Phillip Gabriel Photography.
Congratulations Barb & Mark. Enjoy your Super-8 film!

Photos from Our Costa Rican Honeymoon

Dawn and I traveled South to Costa Rica after our July 5th, wedding. We stayed in Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific side of the country. Our INCREDIBLE hotel was Hotel Si Como No. We were there for 10 days and loved every second of it. I have been a bit busy with photos, videos and everything else that would generally keep one from working on their honeymoon memories. But, over the past week or so I have been inspired to create a honeymoon film and edit a ton of photos from our trip. Costa Rica and Hotel Si Como No could not be more highly recommended for a honeymoon. If you're looking for a place to go, definitely check out Costa Rica. Dawn and I can't wait to get back. Enjoy the photos!

This bottle of Champagne was waiting for us when we arrived in the honeymoon suite. I classed it up with a can of Imperial, Costa Rica's national beer of choice.

My new Ring.

A view from our balcony.

Dawn and I ate a plate of these chicken nachos nearly everyday. They were served at the swim-up pool bar. You gotta love pool bars. That's how you can tell that you are definitely living it up!

One of the pools at our disposal.

The butterfly garden across the street from our hotel.

Dawn is loving all the butterflys.

Crocs also in the butterfly garden.

In town, Queppos.

This is a citronella berry. This berry really smelled like a back yard picnic in the summertime! I never knew that citronella candles were made from a berry!

The beach in Manuel Antonio National Park.

Dos pour uno Hora de Felice!!!

Slow for women, coyotes, sloths and monkeys.

"Our" beach.

Dawn got to meet one of these monkeys by shaking his hand. You can see the actual film footage in this clip.

Lizzy hung out with us every day at our pool.

The beach that we went to daily was right by the hippie hangout. Some "interesting" pipes were available for purchase.

This bowl now sits in our living room.

Dawn's friend, Manuel Antonio....no relation to the park we were standing in.

Palms on the beach before the nightly storm which always came in off the ocean around 5:30 or so.

We miss you Costa Rica.

Our Cats (Pomey & Bella) on Super-8 Film

I have been shooting more and more Super-8mm film during weddings (ours included), our honeymoon and just overall in general. I absolutely love this stuff! It's so nostalgic looking and it really gives a wedding video a truly unique and retro feel.
I recently tested out a film stock that I had never used before. I was putting some Kodak Vission2 200T film through some lighting and exposure tests in our home and I needed some models. Luckily our cats were willing to work for peanuts....well catnip to be specific. But, once I gave them some of the "good stuff" they were happy to work with me. The following clip is their screen test. I am currently acting as their manager too. So, anyone interested in booking the kitties for commercials and/or magazine shoots can call me directly:)