Did you know there's a new youth space in Ōtaki?
I was there a few weeks ago to cover the launch and make this vid for them on behalf of Te Puna Oranga! Check it out!
This is a very special video that I put together for some very special people over at L'Arche Kapiti for their 25th Anniversary. All of this footage has been gathered filming for them over the past 6 ish years, and ending most recently at their 25th Anniversary celebrations.
I've had so many hugs from them in that time :D
Wow it's been a busy few months for me! I've finalized so many videos this week, from the highlight reel for the Kāpiti Food Fair to this awesome little real estate vid for the wondrous Sharalyn Fraser Agency.
There's still more to come and more to share...but I'll spread it out a bit :)) Until then you can enjoy this new build in Waikanae Beach!
It was the very beginning of the year when I filmed these summer events for Kapiti Coast District Council and made a series of videos covering the Kite Festival and several sporting events!
This one popped up in my ads the other day, which means it's out there for public viewing and I can finally share it! Wahoo!!
It was another fab and fun year at the Electra Business & Innovation Awards which I really enjoyed being a part of this year - here's the wrap up video we made!
It's my third year making videos for the awards, and that means really settling into the process and just having fun with it! Congratulations to everyone involved, and to the PomPom Events & Marketing team for putting together another successful event and getting me involved in the first place!
It was a pleasure to work with the Sotheby's Kapiti team a few weeks ago, putting together a collection of photos and video for this beautiful property in Waikanae.
Did you know the Ferndale community has its own walkway and fairly sizeable nature reserve? I didn't!
What a great working experience I had with Hayley of Salty Minx Swim and Activewear. Hayley had me come on down to the 318 gym for a few hours with her amazing models to shoot and create a collection of videos to showcase her local, ethical and sustainable activewear line.
I'm stoked with the finished vids and so happy to see Hayley running with it, getting those vids out there on her socials and bringing a whole lot of energy to her online presence - which will translate into brand loyalty and sales!! Go Salty Minx!!
Freshen up your bizz and socials with some photographic vibrancy this winter!!
Get in touch to find out more and book in for a photos session!
IS IT REAL?!!! RESULTS!
It's time to reveal the results of our little AI background competition. Amazingly, only one person correctly identified the undoctored background image!! Well done, Lucy Ambrose-Segetin - you were the first to vote, and the first and last to guess the correct and original image!!!
Thanks to all of you who joined in the game - next time you might look at those images a little differently, knowing how advanced, realistic, and most notably, how imperfect and 'human' those AI creations can be!
Stay tuned for round two!!
Soulhaven Creative Productions Title Effect Demo
I have fallen into a few great TikTok algorithm lately.
I only go on TikTok once a day, at a specific time when I'm waiting for my little person to finish a set nightly activity. It's great, a tiny window so I can't get too sucked in.
I've traversed through a few algorithms over the past year: Bad Friends, Hot Ones, BTS, Andrew Huberman, Shoulder release exercises, hip flexor exercises (that ones ongoing)...but this week I've fallen into a much appreciated post-production-photography-and-video-tip algorithm.
This one came from Canva. For those who don't know, Canva is an amazing tool that you can use for free, and it just keeps getting better. Even professional videographers like me use it for those effects that I can't as easily acheive in my editing software - like this one!!
It's soooo satisfying.
I'm finally able to share this short version of the documentary film I made for DCM the other month. Nothing but good memories on this project, and with these wonderful people!
I took a trip down memory lane this morning when I stumbled upon the trailer for my award winning doco, Undercover.
I didn't know much about making films or videos. I spent a few weeks online filling some gaps in my knowledge (real basics like what to point my camera at and what cable to plug in where), then I did some research, ran a Kickstarter, bought a basic gear kit and headed off across the world with the boss of the charity I was working for (still a good friend to this day), and filmed some humanitarian docos. Needless to say, it went quite well!
Less than a year later I was clutching the phone as I screamed into the office in Lower Hutt, we won! We won a jury award in L.A.! We got a best doco award!! We had been accepted into several film festivals but I did not expect a win as the movies were more about outreach and sharing beautiful stories than they were about getting accolades, but wow, what a way to validate that I had found another viable sweet spot in terms of my creative expression!
I think I'm due a rewatch!!
Architectural Feature Video
Last week I went to Eastbourne to take some pictures of a recently renovated kitchen/laundry/scullery for Essence Architectural Design . I've been creating snaps for Robyn for a year or more now, but for the first time on shoot she asked if I could take some video clips.
'I don't have my gimbal', I said. A gimbal is a pivoted support (a.k.a. clunky piece of equipment) which provides smooth movement thanks to it's electronically assisted, motorized stabilization. It's very clever, and is a really handy piece of gear and I would never think about filming a real estate or property video without it.
However, I really don't like using it. I like my camera to feel like an extension of my arm. The gimbal always reminds me that I'm holding gear; it's a middle man between me and my creative juices, But regardless, today I didn't have it.
I'M SO GLAD I DIDN'T HAVE IT.
The internal stabilization of my camera and lens, coupled with my well rehearsed smooth body slides and pans and the odd bit of stabilization in post offered a result that might even be smoother than my gimbal shots. I wouldn't swap out my gimbal for any long, wider walking shots, but for these artistic detail movements, it worked amazingly. The process felt easy and smooth, with much more flexibility to get interesting angles.
I will definitely be adding a mini property feature video to my listing offerings shortly, as both myself and Robyn were really happy with how this little feature turned out.
p.s. also, look at the beautiful job Robyn did with this space. She is very talented and so lovely to work with! If you are looking for an architectural designer, I would definitely keep Essence Architectural Design in mind!
Mesmerizing water at Waikanae River.
Down at QE2 Park today to cover the Xterra triathalon events! I'm glad I'm not going in the water, but I'm inspired at the energy and athleticism on show today and can't wait to see them all in action!!
Best of luck to everyone involved!!
Another week another local food based event with amazing local producers! This year the Kapiti Food Fair was pretty epic, with over 10,000 people visiting throughout the day.
The weather was great, the entertainment was electric and the food and products on offer were fantastic and far ranging!
Here is our highlight reel from this years event :)
The Horowhenua Taste Trail video is out!
Many thanks to everyone who waved and smiled at me as I was whizzing around last week capturing everything the 2022 Trail had to offer!
