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505 Northshore Drive, Saint Clair Shores, MI  48080           Tel. 313-850-8093             Email:  Jpkerfoot@aol.com

Q:  Why is HD better?  What is the difference between HD and standard video?

A:  High Definition means, quite simply, there is a higher resolution which makes for a richer image with greater detail.  Further, most standard definition videos have an aspect ratio of 4:3 where as HDTV’s are 16:9 (widescreen).  16:9 makes the image more cinematic, and If you’ve ever seen a 4:3 image on a High Def TV you know it does not take up the entire screen (the sides of the screen are black) or the image is stretched. 

Q:  What is the difference between the three packages?

A:  The editing.  The video is truly made in the editing and while I do offer a “Shooting-Only Package” I would always suggest that you have your video edited.  An unedited video doesn’t compare with a well-edited video.  However, I’m fully aware of budget concerns for young couples, especially during these difficult economic times.  So I’ve created 3 packages:  The Complete Video Package is really the video I aim to create - a fully edited video with several montages to make for the most entertaining video possible.  The Shooting Only Package is essentially just the rough footage.  This package originated when a bride who had  editing experience just needed the video to be shot professionally so that she could edit the video herself.  I also see this package as tailored for those who can’t afford a good videographer and will later regret not having a video of their day, even if that means just having the rough footage (you can always have the video edited down the line!).  The Limited Video Package is a middle-ground between those two.  While the editing is much more limited than the Complete Package, the ceremony & toasts are edited as well as a full montage recapping the entire day to a song of your choosing (approximately 5 minutes).  This would then be put onto a DVD, and the montage would also be on a private webpage for you to share with family & friends.  If you were to choose either the Limited or Shooting only package and later on decide you DO want the Complete Package, it’s just a matter of paying the difference.

Q:  What’s your style?

A:  One of the common things brides say about me is “we forgot you were there” which I love to hear because my biggest concern is to make a great video while being unobtrusive.  I want to capture those fun, funny, sweet, and loving moments that only happen when people forget that there is a camera on them.  This photo-journalistic style means that I stay out of a photographers way, that I’m not in peoples’ faces, and that I use minimal lights while people are dancing.  But I also like to think that I am flexible.  For example, some brides want interviews with guests, some don’t.  My feeling is whatever you want is cool by me - it’s your video!

Q:  What kind of equipment do you use?

A:  I shoot with a new 3-chip Sony HD camera (Sony HVR-Z5U), I capture audio using a Sennheiser shotgun microphone and a wireless UHF lavalier microphone to record the vows and toasts in 16-bit CD quality audio.  I edit using mainly Final Cut Pro.  It’s all top of the line.

Q:  If I don’t have a HD Television (or Blue Ray DVD player) then why should I care if my video is in HD?

A:  Look, most people don’t even have the complete HD setup now (HDTV, Blue Ray DVD player), but soon enough you will, as it is becoming the standard.  Think of it like this:  it’s the late-1990s and you have a VHS player and I tell you about this new thing called DVD.  So you think “I don’t need that, I don’t even have a DVD player.”  But I’m sure you do now.  Does anybody watch VHS tapes anymore?  So you want your video to hold up with the times, as it’s something you will show your loved ones years later.    Even youtube videos are now in HD, and as part of the Complete Package that I offer, you will have a hidden page of your video up online to share with friends and family.  That video can be viewed in High Def on your computer - so you can STILL watch your video in High-Def without a Blue Ray player.

Q:  What is the payment process?  Do you require a deposit?

A:  For all packages a $195 deposit is required to reserve your wedding date.  This is refundable within 90 days of the wedding date.  To reserve me for your wedding, you simply fill out the Wedding Contract and mail it to me along with the deposit.  For the Complete Package there are two payments remaining; $700 due by the date of the wedding and the second payment of $600 due when the video is completed.  For the Limited Video Package, a $400 payment due by the wedding date, $400 due upon completion.  For the Shooting-Only package, a payment of $400 is due by the date of the wedding.

Q:  What happens if there is an Emergency and you are unable to attend?  Do you have backup equipment?

A:  I should preface this by saying I’ve never missed a wedding.  In fact, I once broke my Scapula (hard bone under the shoulder) at a wedding after the Ceremony, but continued shooting till the end of the Reception (went to the Hospital after!).  With that said, I teach video courses at Wayne State and I have access to Teaching Assistants and many young filmmakers who would be happy for the work and fill in for me.  But this has not been a concern to date.  As for equipment backup, after shifting to HD, I still bring my 2 Standard Definition Sony cameras (vx-2100) with me in case of emergency.  So nothing to worry about.