Beth + Bill = “Elizabeth” & “Mr. Darcy”

Beth and Bill were married last October at the incredibly classy Semple Mansion in Minneapolis, MN.

You can view some of the photographs Adam and I shot for them here.

Meanwhile, this is the video we produced for them, hot off the presses!

Ali + Pat = Married in St. Paul, MN

It’s twofer Thursday.

Yes folks, I am making up for my blog slacking by giving you two posts in one day and they even have some similarities.

1. Wedding will reunite Herr Sparks with former Deutsche studenten.
2. Wedding reception is located in downtown St. Paul.
3. Wedding couple is so cute you can hardly stand it.

Without further adieu Digital Art House presents another fun featurette.
This one will have you laughing, or you don’t have a pulse.

Starstruck?

Summer is obviously not my best blogging season.

Meanwhile, it is the time when I whistle while I work and edit like a madwoman!

This weekend Adam and I were hired by the Starkey Foundation to “capture the energy and enthusiasm of the 2010 So The World May Hear Gala Red Carpet Arrivals.”  We had the unique opportunity to be shoulder to shoulder with some of Minnesota’s biggest names in media and to film interviews with Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne, Peter Alexander, Verne Troyer (Mini-Me), Sam Moore, Nick Lechy, Jordin Sparks, astronauts, and famous sports personalities.

The experience was a bit surreal.

This was the most intense editing experience to date for me, as I had three days to whittle down six hours of footage into a five minute segment.  I put approximately sixty hours into this project.  So, I guess you can safely assume that I’m a bit sleep deprived.

I plan on relaxing a bit before I move on to my next wedding on Monday…but I’ll admit, it was a thrill ride.

Here’s the video:

Rachel + Eduardo

Rachel and Eduardo are a beautiful couple who share not only the love they have for each other but their utter devotion to family.

It was an amazing afternoon in Minnetonka at the Carlson Towers Amphitheater.  We didn’t spend as much time as I usually like to spend shooting this couple.  However, you can get a feel for what your video might look if you book D.A.H. to captured the essentials (Ceremony & Party) of your day.

Rachel and Eduardo have impeccable taste and this shone in the details of their day, and with whom they chose as vendors.

I have to give out some specific shout outs to a few vendors in particular, because they are serious class acts.

1. Cupcakes: Bruce of 3 Choclatiers.  Bruce doesn’t ordinarily do weddings, but he should!  Incredible!  Amazing!  Honestly, I’ve never tasted better cupcakes or better chocolate frosting in my life.  In fact, when our contracted time was up Kirsten, fabyoulous wedding planner, asked if we could stay a bit longer.  We agreed, on the condition that we could trade our time for MORE CUPCAKES!!!! We went home very happy campers.
2. Florist: Luna Vinca.  We have worked with Jennifer on a few events.  I love her cute store on Hennepin in Minneapolis.  She is a sweetheart and a very talented artist.  She most definitely captured the vibrance of this couple and added a “tropical” flair of corals and pinks that really popped with the Caribbean blue linens.
3. Event Planner/Coordinator/Guru:  Kirsten from Fab.you.lous Events.  She was not only helpful, kind, and way easy to work with but she was so organized and creative.  What a fun experience we had, and I hope we are able to work with Kirsten again soon.
4. DJ: DJ Omari Omari.  We see a lot of bad DJs in the business, unfortunately, and I often wonder why couples feel this is a place they can skimp on…. Omari Omari was totally in tune with the guests and keeping them on the dance floor.  He was respectful, not at all, obnoxious, and just plain cool.  Besides, I hope this doesn’t sound too shallow-he is GQ handsome.  Easy on the ears, way easy on the eyes.  Damn.

Here is the Featurette I came up with to highlight Rachel & Eduardo’s event.  Many thanks to Rachel and Eduardo for sharing your special day with us and for suggesting the awesome soundtrack.  The track is “Dream” by Alice Smith.

Erin + Ben = Dynamic Creative Duo

Erin and Ben were married last May in Minneapolis at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral.  I was off visiting my dear friend Pam in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  So Adam partnered with a local professional and friend Lisa V to shoot the event.

As I sat down to capture and edit last spring’s footage, I was literally moved to tears.  The powerful creativity and love this couple shared with me via video was inspirational.  I admit I am a sap, but I don’t usually cry when loading tapes of footage….

After finishing this video, Erin sent me a message through Facebook.  I think honestly this is the best testimonial our company has ever received-

No words. my face exploded approx 17 times watching it.

I’ll shut up now and just show you the finished product. Enjoy!

Photography: Andrew Vick

Photo Booth: The Traveling Photo Booth

Reception Site: Lafayette Club, Minnetonka, MN

Salon: Stella Salon

Little Girls’ Apparel, including Ben & Erin’s beautiful daughter Lillian’s ensemble: Beth Bogle of eeceebb

Centerpieces, Program, Boutonnièrs, and Head Pieces: the bride, Erin Kate, check out her fabulous store on Etsy!

Sarah & Scott-Chaska, MN

A Winter wedding in Minnesota?! Oh ya, you betcha!

Wedding Site: Oak Ridge Hotel & Conference Center in Chaska, MN

Photo & Video:  Digital Art House

Who, What, Why, When, and How?-The Digital Art House Interview

Our work is passionate.  Our clients and their family members always tells us what a wonderful job we’ve done when we’re packing up our gear getting ready to leave.  This makes us smile because they haven’t even seen their photos or video yet.

Thanks to bride Ali and our friend Sally of La Vie Photography for sending us these images.  We rarely get photos of Adam and me working.

Style, or What Separates you From All the Other Folks Covering Weddings & Events:

Digital Art House captures the moments as they happen, telling hip and contemporary stories and still creating art that speaks classically for years to come.

Camera:

Sony Professional Video Cameras and Canon Professional Equipment for Still Photography.

Favorite type of shot or video:

Adam loves to create classic drama in his photography and video.  He is good at taking peoples breath away, and really making people look beautiful.  It’s pretty awesome being married to such an amazing photographer, he captures pictures of me look way better than I ever thought I could.  🙂

Meanwhile, I love to capture the details, the puzzle pieces which will come together to tell a couple’s unique story.

So, I ‘d have to sum it up like this-Adam is the artist and I’m the storyteller.

How long have you been shooting professionally?

Over six years. Although, Adam has been shooting weddings for friends and family for over twelve years.

How did you start?

Adam and I came from creative families who encouraged art, theater, and music.

Both of our families also have a strong entrepreneurial history and there are many self-made men and women in our families who own and operate independent small businesses.

Adam has a degree in art and photography from St. John’s University and is currently teaching photography courses and a film studies class.  Adam has an extensive and amazing grasp of current technology, graphic and new media design.

I received my degree in theater from St. Olaf College which has given me a great foundation to develop a true concept of telling a story.

All of these elements together have helped shape our desire to start a business encompassing a unique combination of both of our skills.

Basically, we wanted to offer a stylish and quality product we could not find when we were planning our wedding.

As our business has expanded we have included Rachel Gilmer who has experience harbored from being the daughter of a well known area photographer.  Rachel has this great magnetic personality and is so good with noticing the “little” things.

Couture Wedding Albums and Indie Art House Video

Adam pours hours into editing a wedding album and the proof really is in the pudding.  These albums are truly where he can showcase his amazing eye for presentation, elegance, and his demand for A plus quality craftsmanship.  These are classic albums you will want to page through from year to year. They are not cheesy dated books quickly thrown together in an hour or so using gimicky effects and low budget templates as a distraction.  It is SO important to assemble the best memories from your special day into a quality album that will last.  After the day is done, only the video or album of your day is yours forever.

Meanwhile, speaking of video…

When I tell people how much time I end up spending on each video, their jaw usually drops.  For every hour of video I capture, I typically spend at least 10 to 12 hours in the editing booth.  Most of the time I come home from a wedding event with 12 hours of tape.  So, yeah, this means about 120 hours at least, of scrutinizing editing time.

It’s so important that I take this time to know every single minute of what was captured during the day so that I can make the best and most complete story or synopsis of your day in the most creative way. Also, it is important that I am adjusting the color, brightness, etc…all of this is done from start to finish by solely me.  I never shop out any of my editing.  This is not true of many video companies.

Again, you won’t get to wear your dress or eat your cake or have your bouquet again…so it’s up to me to create a video that will take you back for years to come.

Places you have traveled for weddings:

Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Arizona, Mexico, California, New Mexico, Austria, Germany…we love to travel for weddings!  We have most definitely caught the “travel bug,” and are constantly imagining trips in the U.S. and other countries.  Currently, we’re planning a trip to Thailand!

Why do you like shooting weddings?

A wedding is a magical, positive, happy day.  I love watching the day enfold and noticing all the creativity that has come together to make the event beautiful and successful.  There are so many talented people involved who are working as a collective force to make the day a dream come true for the couple.  And, I know it sounds kind of cheesy, but listening to each couple make their marriage promises to each other renews my own vows that I’ve made to Adam.

Any celebrities or high-profile names you have shot?

We had the fun opportunity to shoot the wedding of Olympic long jumper Shani Marks marriage to pro football player Ron Johnson II.

Why should I hire Digital Art House for photography and video?  Why not just hire two separate companies?

While we do sometimes shoot just photo, or just video, and work with other talented individuals in the industry, many of them are our friends, we find you will get the best overall product by hiring us as a photo-video team.  Honestly, working as a unified entity really delivers the best product and makes the day go most smoothly. Consequently, there is synchronization that seems to happen effortlessly between Adam, Rachel and me.  Finally, It’s just a more complete story telling experience if we are covering both and the style of our photography is reflected in the style of our video and visa versa.

Any other tips for brides trying to wade through all the amount of information out there?

Take the time to meet with a photographer or call and talk with a photographer/videogapher in person or on the telephone.

While the Internet and email are great and convenient tools, I really feel like there needs to be a personal connection that can only be determined by verbal communication.

Honestly, you’re going to spend an entire day with us and you really need to feel like we are a team you want to work with.  It’s been really cool to find that after spending 8 hours or so with a bride and groom, that we have made an authentic connection and have become real and honest friends with our clients.

Anything you would like to add?

Awards we have won include: Winner Award of Excellence Overall Production, Winner Award of Excellence Editing, Winner Award of Excellence DVD Design, Winner Award of Excellence Unique Wedding Video, Winner Best Display-Photo & Video, Winner Best of Show-Video

Jessica & Paul-Minneapolis, MN

Nothing makes my day brighter than receiving emails from brides like this one from Jessica:

Hi Adam,

We showed our best man the dvd and he didn’t want to see himself (long story 🙂 ) and he kept saying, “wow this is really really good!”  and that’s coming from a tough critic!!!

Thanks so much,
Jessica

Jessica and Paul were married in Minneapolis at the historic Blaisdell Manor.  We had a fun time working with Folio studios.  See, we do play well with others! 🙂

Beth & Bill-Minneapolis, MN

Beth and Bill traveled from their home in Maryland to Minneapolis to exchange their vows in the elegant Semple Mansion.

This stunning couple exudes a great sense of style, grace, and humor.

Consequently, we had an easy time getting some wonderful photos.

Evelyn & Hai-Minneapolis, MN

I am a xenophile, and so being asked to document an event from a culture other than my own is a no-brainer.  Although, neither Adam and I speak Vietnamese, we had a terrific time capturing the love between Evelyn and Hai.  And it seems love really needs no translation.

We met with this beautiful couple a week before their Window’s on Minnesota wedding, to take some time for pictures. Scheduling a separate day for a photo shoot is a great way to really get some awesome pictures!

We highly recommend scheduling a couple’s portrait session.

The couple decided on shooting at the Landmark Center in St. Paul, on the streets of downtown, and at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.