How long have you been in business?

As a wedding videographer, I’ve been in business for over 6 years professionally. I am the original owner of the hugely popular Optimum Videography and disbanded to pursue a solo venture in early 2023. I attended CCC and majored in Broadcasting and Communications in 2010-11 and worked at WENY TV (Lilly Broadcasting) for 6 years as well. I’ve done creative filming nearly my entire life.

What equipment do you use?

I actually have a blog post explaining all of the equipment I use and its importance that goes into greater detail than I’ll provide here. I film on the Canon EOS system and have several different cameras and lenses as well as a wide array of audio/lighting equipment.

Do you travel and if so, is there a fee?

Over the past few years I’ve travelled from New York to Ohio, Pennsylvania, and all down the east coast for weddings and many other places for creative ventures. I only charge a fee when it’s longer than a 120 mile drive to the destination and even then it’s a negligible fee that only covers the cost of fuel. For destination weddings there’s a bit more that goes into it, but I never make a profit from it and never intend to.

How does your booking process work?

Something I often hear from couples who’ve inquired for my services is that a lot of their other vendors, or even other videographers they’ve reached out to, are pushy and not as transparent with their pricing or procedures as they’d like them to be. My goal is to first and foremost make sure that I’m a good fit, and secondly but equally as important, to never make anyone feel uncomfortable during any part of the booking process. After a couple has reached out I generally respond with a follow up email (nothing that has been prefilled or automated) and try to get as many details as possible (wedding date, an itinerary if available, locations etc). Some couples insist on booking immediately and while I never say no to that, I like to have a phone/zoom conversation, which typically lasts about 15-20 minutes) before accepted payment.

Once a deposit is received to retain the date, ensuring that no one else locks in before the couple who has paid, I send a contract and afford the couple an opportunity to ask any questions they may have regarding it. It’s pretty standard but some of the information can be confusing. The retainer amount is standard as well, requiring only 20 percent of the total cost to retain services, with the remainder due 24 hours prior to the wedding date. I have been booked for nearly 125 weddings and I have shown up to 100 percent of them. In the event of an emergency I always have a more than capable videographer on stand by but have yet to utilize them.

In between the booking and wedding date I follow up with as many of the couples other vendors (venue, planner, photographer etc) as possible and try to get as much info from them as possible as to not have to bother the newlyweds to be if I can avoid it. Generally, I only ask that the couple provide an itinerary in the event that they are doing the day of scheduling themselves.

I noticed that when searching for Winding Way Film + Photo that another videographer comes up as well, is he also affiliated with Winding Way?

The other videographer that may come up when searching for Winding Way is in no way affiliated with my company and was a former partner of mine who was let go from the company for theft of money and intellectual property in early 2023. To respect their privacy I am choosing at this time not to name them directly but would be extremely careful when consulting this person for booking anything related to your wedding day. I’ve discussed this at length with colleagues and potential clients to clear any confusion and am always happy to do so to ensure you receive the proper coverage you’re looking for!