Heidi & Brett; St John's Church and the Inn at Fox Hollow, December 19, Cold Springs Harbor, NY

I think even my mailman called in sick on Saturday with forecasts of two feet of snow or more, but when NYC wedding videographer Tim Alan Smith commits to a wedding, it would take more than cold, white flakes to keep him away!

I also have know the bride Heidi since we worked together at the Olympics in Athens over 5 years ago so I was looking forward to seeing her on her wedding day! Heidi didn't disappoint when I caught my first glimpse of her waiting in the back of a car outside St. John's Church in quaint Cold Spings Harbor, NY. The snow was coming down but most of the guests had arrived and were seated in the cozy church to watch Heidi and Brett exchange vows.

It was then off to the Inn at Fox Hollow in Woodbury, which looked like a winter wonderland with the snow and all the festive lighting and music they had playing outside as guests arrived. I'm not sure if my camera is waterproof, but we braved the elements to get some shots of the falling snow and beauty of this exceptional place for a NYC wedding reception.

NYC wedding photographer Jared Charney from Downing Street Photography took formal photos of the couple and their family while Tim Alan Smith filmed cocktail hour and the set-up of the ballroom. The fantastic NYC wedding band - the 52nd Street Swing- was already practicing and had the crowd on their feet when Heidi and Brett were later introduced with the Black Eyed Pea's "Gotta Feeling".

The rest of the night was non-stop dancing, toasts, smiles and laughs as the guests enjoyed a rare wedding in the middle of the beauty that was a winter wonderland! Click here to see their wedding write-up in the New York Times and click below to see the video!

Tim Alan Smith Client Marcus Samuelsson chef for Obama's first State Dinner at the White House

Tim Alan Smith normally is a NYC wedding videographer, however we do have other requests on occasion. One such request was to film famed chef Marcus Samuelsson (Aquavit in NYC) cooking in the kitchen of his Manhattan home. We were pleased to find out yesterday that Marcus was selected to cook for President Obama's first ever state dinner last night at the White House! Congratulations Marcus! From what we sampled in his kitchen on multiple occasions, we're sure the president's first dinner will be a huge succes!

Need a Holiday Idea? How about a photomontage or family history video?

While Tim Alan Smith is mainly a company focused on being a NYC wedding videographer, we are often asked by clients to put together photos and video clips for a photomontage or family history video. Many times the client is doing this as a surprise anniversary (any special year such as 5th anniversary, 10th anniversary, 20th anniversary, 25th anniversary, 40th anniversary or 50th anniversary celebrations). We are also asked to do them for special birthday milestones as well as graduation or bat/bar mitzvah surprises. We also take VHS clips that you have collected over the years and combine them with photos and music to create that special heirloom video. Some people simple want us to take their photos and put or scan them to a DVD for safe keeping. We can do all of this. Most people realize that their family won't be around forever and want us to come film and interview everyone at a holiday or other special family gathering. Whatever your need, we are able to help you create that unique holiday gift and family . In fact, my family doesn't even know it yet, but I'm bringing all the video gear home for Thanksgiving and everyone is going to get interviewed soon after the turkey is eaten! To read more about what kind of NYC family history or photomontage project we can do for you, click on the link or give us a call today!

Marcy & Barry; November 14, The Metropolitan Pavilion: New York, NY

NYC wedding videographer Tim Alan Smith spent Saturday night filming the wedding of Marcy and Barry at the Metropolitan Pavilion in downtown Manhattan. I have been to the Metropolitan Pavilion many times for the New York Magazine wedding showcase, an annual event for those having a wedding or in the wedding industry. However, this was the first time I have had the chance to film there. Kim Pilson of the Wedding Sitter (full service or day of NYC wedding planner) did an amazing job ensuring romantic ambiance of the space with their choice of decor. The couple saw each other before the ceremony as they took photos under the amazing Chuppah with NYC wedding photographer Alex Z before moving to another room to sign the Ketubah. After that, the couple had exchanged vows under the Chuppah in front of their closest family and friends before a happy exit (pictured above) and cocktail hour. The reception was fun starting with first dance and the Horah with the very entertaining Hank Lane musicians the Russell Bennett Band keeping the crowd on their feet until the very last song!

A happy bride writes in after receiving her video

Being a wedding videographer in NYC is a fun way to make a living, and letters like the one below make it even better! Many people who are unsure about whether or not to have a videographer for their NYC wedding, will see through the bride's eyes how it feels to watch it....


"Hi Tim,

We just watched the video and it is AMAZING!!! At first I didn't see the separate clip of super 8 footage and all those extras. I love it. you used most of the songs i asked for and I like all the others. funny thing is after i thought about it more I really wanted that version of somewhere over the rainbow, you you used it anyway, which is great! you read my mind. I have to be honest I reallly didn't know what you meant when you kept saying this if for the outtakes the day of the wedding, but we loved the outttakes...so much fun!! If my little sister wasn't in it I have to say everyone else would have lacked, but it all came together great!!!
We really loved everything and it captured the whole day! I dk if I told you but right after you left the dance floor went crazy and one of our friends is famous for breakdancing, and he got down...oh well, we have the memories....

Alex and I were wondering if it would be possible to get a separate disc just for us with the Super 8 clip and then the TAS Signature clip too so we can put them on YouTube and share them with everyone?
Thank you for everything. I can't wait to watch it all again and share it with everyone!
have a good weekend,

Lauren"

Super 8 Video....It never seems to get old!

Although Tim Alan Smith is a NYC wedding videographer and focus mostly on video, we often get asked if we can also shoot super 8 film. The answer is YES! If you don't know what Super 8 is, picture the opening sequence of "The Wonder Years" and it will come back to you quickly. That nostalgic grainy, choppy look of film cameras of the 50's and 60's brings many brides in the door hoping we can create that effect on their wedding video.

Super 8 cameras take actual film and many don't perform well unless it is really well lit, so typically we use for outdoor sequences or inside when the lighting is very good.

This particular wedding was at the Pius X church and Scarsdale with the wedding reception at beautiful Trump National Golf Course in Briarwood Cliff, NY, using both black and white and color film stock.

WEVA Expo: Orlando Florida Wedding Video Conference

I have spent this past week in sunny Orlando attending the WEVA (Wedding and Event Videographers Association) yearly expo at the week-old Orlando Hilton. The WEVA Expo is a yearly tradeshow/seminar for videographers from around the world who gather to share ideas and expertise, network and to learn the new and exciting trends in wedding and event video. Days are long with seminars starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m. with a huge tradeshow floor filled with new technology and products/services on display in between. Being a wedding videographer in NYC is great but it's also good to get new perspectives and ideas from artists working around the world. In addition to some new equipment that I purchased (always fun) I have picked up a few ideas and techniques that I think will make my video productions even better moving forward. My only regret this week is that I have been so busy I haven't had time to enjoy a few minutes at the amazing pool!