Chicago Wedding Films

Tips for Brides: You can still say "yes" to video but "no" to expensive weddings!

There was a recent article in the USA Today newspaper (lifestyle section) titled "Couple's say I don't to expensive weddings" 

In the article, it offered ways brides have saved money or cut back on spending. There is nothing wrong with not spending what you don't have.

Having said that, I would strongly urge brides to NOT cut out a videographer on their wedding day.   Regardless of the size or cost of your wedding, it is still a day you will want to relive again and again (especially on your anniversary or once children come along).  With only photos, you won't be able to "hear" your vows, dad's toast to you, or watch and listen to your first dance, etc.

Think about your favorite movie, concert or play:  Would you rather have a book of still images from the event or would you like to watch the event again on DVD?  Of course you would want the DVD!  Your wedding day is more important so getting a wedding video on DVD should be a no-brainer!

One former bride of mine called me 12 years later (she wanted to get her VHS wedding video transferred to DVD).  She told her she has four children now and that her daughter is wearing out their VHS wedding video by watching it so much!  She said her children love to watch her wedding video!  She also said she enjoys seeing her father and grandparents (in the video) who have since passed away. One of her favorite scenes is watching her dad walk her down the aisle.  She said her wedding video means more to her now then when she first got it!  (I already knew that since I hear that over and over again from my past brides).

DOCUMENTARY PACKAGE VS. CINEMATIC PACKAGE:   As the owner of Elegant Videos by Kris, I have had some brides tell me that they want a great video but must watch their costs.  I have a "documentary" package where the bride can still get two-camera coverage with two videographers.  You don't have to sacrifice great camera & audio coverage.  A documentary package is two-camera coverage of the events edited in a straight forward manner whereas the cinematic package involves more artistic & cinematic editing, more audio drop-ins, etc.  Less time spent in the editing suite means less cost for you.   Please call me at 630-876-9604 or visit my website for more information.   Your investment is customized based on hours of coverage, location and what other add-ons you would like to have.  Remember, a great video isn't expensive, it's priceless!

website:  www.ElegantVideosByKris.com

studio:  630-876-9604

Find us on Facebook:  Friends of Elegant Videos by Kris (Chicago Wedding Films)

For more information on saving money on videography, see my May 8, 2009 blog post.

Heritage Makers storybooks featured on Good Morning America (July 6, 2009)

TURN DIRECT SELL PASSION INTO CASH on ABC's Good Morning America  

Heritage Makers is featured on Good Morning America as a great to make extra cash (as a consultant for the products).   Watch the VIDEO segment here. 

As an Independent Heritage Makers consultant, I would like to add that I have many happy clients and they usually shed a tear when their book arrives.  Not sure how many people shed a tear when their make-up or kitchen utensil arrives.  The key phrase is passion.   I love helping people preserve their family memories.   I've been doing this for over 20 years with my videography, and the storybook is just another tool I use to help people  preserve their special memories.   If you are the family memory keeper and/and love taking photos, chances are you will enjoy selling (and using) these products!   If you are a videographer/photographer, this is another income stream you can add to your business.   A photo montage with a storybook goes hand-in-hand.   This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme, so if you aren't willing to put some effort into it, chances are you won't succeed. 

 I am a Heritage Makers consultant in Chicago, but I have clients and a team of consultants all across the United States.  To learn more, visit Elegant Storybooks by Kris or call me (Kris) at 630-876-9604.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE BELOW:

Turn Direct Sell Passion Into Cash

Make Cash With Direct Sales

By TORY JOHNSON
Workplace Contributor

July 6, 2009—

Direct selling is a proven moneymaker when times are tough. The numbers tell the story: During the 1990 recession, the number of direct sellers grew to more than 5 million. In the 2001 recession, that number jumped to more than 12 million. In 2007, there were 15 million direct sellers  and rising. Direct selling brought in more than $30 billion in the United States alone.

It's not easy. To succeed in direct sales, you really have to hustle. It's like running your own business; your effort (or lack of) will make your sales sink or swim. The people who are making money now in direct sales work on their business every single day; it's front and center on their minds and in their actions.

It's not get-rich-quick. The median income is about $2,500 a year, which means a couple hundred dollars a month  perhaps enough to pay down a credit card bill. For active sellers, the median jumps to $6,000 a year.

If you think it's for you, there are several details to consider.

What's in a name? When you hear Mary Kay or Avon, you know exactly what they sell. You can dream of cruising around in a slick pink Cadillac as a Mary Kay superstar or jetting off to the Bahamas for a luxurious vacation, as Avon's top sellers did recently. Everyone knows the product and there's a history of quality, which may make you feel most comfortable.

The potential challenge: Since everyone knows the product, you may have an uphill battle carving out a customer base because existing fans may already be aligned with their favorite seller.

Lesser-known companies will lack the multimillion-dollar marketing campaigns to generate awareness for their brand, so you'll have to work overtime taking on the challenge of introducing new product lines.

Clever Container, for example, is a relatively new line of organizing products with only about 100 consultants nationwide. You could be the one to introduce friends to its products by hosting Tupperware-style parties, which the company calls organizing workshops, for every part of the home.

Money, money, money. There are three financial questions you have to ask before you get involved with any direct selling company: what are the startup costs?; what's your commission or realistic earning potential, and what's the refund policy if you decide it's not for you?

Startup costs. You will have to pay some upfront costs to cover product samples, training materials, order forms, and the opportunity to sell. The amount varies widely from company to company; don't just look at the cost, be sure to examine what exactly you're getting for your money.

Cookie Lee, a moderately priced trendy jewelry company, has three different starter kits ranging from $99 to over $500.

Look at commissions. Cookie Lee and Mary Kay, for example, offer a 50 percent base commission. That means if you sell a $30 product, you'll pocket $15 on the sale.

Check out the refund policy. Let's say you buy a startup kit and find that direct selling just isn't for you. If the company is a member of the Direct Selling Association, its code of ethics requires the company to buy back unused/unopened material within a year for at least 90 percent of the purchase price.

Sell what you love. When choosing a direct sales company, passion is the key word. You should choose something you would use yourself, something that complements your lifestyle.

For example, if your family loves games, Simply Fun is a company that sells more than 85 games for all ages. These are exclusive products; customers can only buy them from you.

If you're a scrapbooker, you can sell products by Heritage Makers. They sell greeting cards, posters, scrapbooks, albums  lots of things for that hobby.

And who wouldn't come to a chocolate party? Dove Chocolate Discoveries just launched nationally last year, and as a chocolatier, as the sellers are called, you can invite friends over to indulge in -- and buy  treats  everything from candy to chocolate martinis to brownie mix.

No matter what you decide, remember that direct selling is selling. Even the best products won't sell themselves if you're not actively soliciting customers and promoting your business. To make money, you'll have to wear your sales hat.

Tory Johnson is the workplace contributor on ABC's "Good Morning America" and the CEO of Women For Hire. Connect with her at www.womenforhire.com or chat with her on Twitter.com/ToryJohnson.

 

Don Lawler joins Heritage Makers!

Don Lawler joins Heritage Makers!

Don joins my Heritage Makers team as an Independent Heritage Makers consultant.  Don is from Memphis, Tennessee and is the owner of Don Lawler Films.    Don's motto for his video company is "Telling Your Stories.  Saving Your Memories."  That sounds like it could be a Heritage Maker's tagline to me!  Don is a storyteller and he has added a new tool (Heritage Makers storybooks) to help his clients tell their story and save their memories.   Don is one of several men on my team.  Welcome Don!

For more information on how to offer these professionally-bound, elegant Heritage Maker storybooks to your clients, please call me at 630-876-9604 or visit my Heritage Makers website at Elegant Storybooks by Kris. 

I am a Heritage Makers consultant here in Chicago, but I have clients and consultants all across the country.  Let me help you get started today! 

Don't forget to ask me about the monthly specials (specials that you can only get through a HM consultant).

EventDV magazine - Review of 2009 IVA Midwest Expo

EventDV magazine review:  The Untouchables - IVA Brings World-class Filmmakes to Chicago for Midwest Expo. 

The IVA Midwest held its third annual Midwest Expo on May 20, 2009.  Editor-in-Chief, Steve Nathans-Kelly, came down for the event.  Read his entire review.

I was a presenter at the IVA Midwest Expo in 2006.  This year, I was on the IIllinois Videographers Association (IVA) board that helped bring in three outside speakers along with three home-grown Chicago speakers.   Even so, I was mentioned in the opening paragraph - Thanks Steve for the nod!!  I took this group photo at Giordano's Pizza (we wanted to treat our speakers to the famous Chicago stuffed pizza).  Thanks again to our speakers (in pic):  Michael Wong, Patrick Moreau, Kevin Shahinian, Keith Kelly, Steve Zagata, Chris Chibucos

June 2009 Specials from Heritage Makers/Elegant Storybooks by Kris

  We’ve got an exciting Pick of the Month for June! For the entire month, you can get a 12×12 storybook credit for only $59.95. You save $20! This is the lowest price Heritage Makers has EVER offered on the 12×12 storybook!

Plus, you can get three months of Premier for only $29.95…that’s $10/month! You can add Premier to your Pick of the Month or get this special deal on any product you order! Hurry, savings like this won’t last long!

Specials expire June 30, 2009. Contact a consultant today!

To order the above package or to inquire about other monthly specials, please contact Chicago Heritage Makers consultant, Kris Malandruccolo at 630-876-9604 or visit her website Elegant Storybooks by Kris

FIRST TIME CUSTOMERS:  Place an order with me and I will give you one extra month of the studio premiere membership for FREE!

 

Paula Mihalko joins Heritage Makers!

Paula Mihalko joins Heritage Makers!

Paula joins my Heritage Makers team as an independent Heritage Makers consultant.  Paula is from the Chicago area and found my website on the internet - it's that simple.

Paula has a background in IT and has already started working on books before her business kit has even arrived!  

Paula drives a convertible Mustang and is active in a local Mustang group.  I then surprised Paula by showing her my convertible Mustang.  It's cool to meet another woman Mustang enthusiast.   Welcome Sky Pony Paula! 

For more information on how to offer these professionally-bound, elegant Heritage Maker storybooks to your clients, please call me at 630-876-9604 or visit my Heritage Makers website at Elegant Storybooks by Kris. 

I am a Heritage Makers consultant here in Chicago, but I have clients and consultants all across the country.  Let me help you get started today! 

Jenny Lehman joins Heritage Makers!

Jenny Lehman joins Heritage Makers!

Jenny joins my Heritage Makers team as an independent Heritage Makers consultant.  Jenny is from the Washington D.C. area and operates Jenny Lehman Film & Video. 

Before becoming a videojournalist, Jenny was a photographer at the National Geographic and developed the actual photos taken of the newly discovered Titanic in 1985.  Jenny most recently filmed one of President Obama's Inauguration Balls (The People's Inauguration Project).  Jenny does lots of HD video shoots with brides around the various Washington D.C. monuments and museums, and plans to make storybooks for her couples. 

That us on in the photo - we spoke at the WEVA Town Meeting in Philadelphia together in March 2006, but I've been friends with Jenny since attending WEVA Expo back in 1997.  Welcome WEVA Diva Jenny!   

For more information on how to offer these professionally-bound, elegant Heritage Maker storybooks to your clients, please call me at 630-876-9604 or visit my website at Elegant Storybooks by Kris. 

I am a Heritage Makers consultant here in Chicago, but I have clients and consultants all across the country.  Let me help you get started today! 

EventDV magazine May 2009 - The Reel Deal column: Success Principles That Everyone Can Follow Right Now!

Kris Malandruccolo wrote "The Success Principles for Videographers" for the May 2009 issue of EventDV magazine.  While the column was written with videographers with mind, the article really applies to anyone!

I want to especially thank Jack Canfield (that's us in the pic) for making it possible for me to write this article.

I have been a fan of Jack Canfield's Success Principles book for over two years, so it was great to finally meet Jack in person!

 

The Reel Deal:  Success Principles for Videographers

Are you where you want to be in life? If not, who or what is holding you back? Think about that seriously for a minute. "Stop with the excuses!" says Jack Canfield (www.jackcanfield.com), motivational life coach and best-selling author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Canfield is also the author of The Success Principles, which has 64 chapters that can help take you from where you are to where you want to be. Recently, I attended one of Canfield's all-day Success Principles workshops, and I want to share a few of these success principles with you.

Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life and Your Results. Canfield says, "You have to stop blaming others, complaining about circumstances and events, justifying your lack of results, and defending your position. Hold yourself accountable." Practice Persistence. Jack told the story how the first Chicken Soup for the Soul book was rejected by 144 publishers. What if Jack had given up after 144 rejections? He would not be where he is today. Do not give up on your dream! When you're working on your dream, get used to the idea that there will be a lot of rejection along the way. Just because a bride or another client says "no" today, it doesn't mean she won't say "yes" tomorrow. Unleash the Power of Goal Setting. You need to know what it is you want before you will get it. What are your goals? High-achievers have unusual clarity about what they want. A goal is something that you want that is measurable in time and space. For example, don't just say, "I want to make more money in the coming year"; say, "I want to bring in an additional $2,000 per month or sign two extra weddings per month for the next 12 months." Be Clear Why You Are Here.When what you're doing doesn't feel like work, you have found your life purpose. It may be time to reconsider what you do for a living if the thought of dealing with a bride gives you headaches or if you like shooting but dread the thought of sitting in front of the computer editing for hours. One way around that is to outsource what you don't like to do so you can focus fully on what you love doing. Practice the Rule of Five. You need to do five things every day to get you toward your goal. You can do the same things every day or do something different every day, but make sure you are doing five things to help you reach your goal. If your goal is to get more business, then some of your action steps could include signing up for a networking or association group, joining a social network site (i.e., Facebook, LinkedIn), following up with a lead, calling a prospective bride or calling a local business with a business proposal, taking a bridal consultant (or other wedding professional) to lunch, updating your website, sending out marketing materials, or participating in a bridal show. Build Up Your Network. In networking, visibility leads to credibility, and credibility leads to profitability. Networking is not just showing up, handing out your business cards, and waiting for the phone to ring. Networking can take months, even years, to see results. Once you help another company with their business, you have earned credibility. In turn, they'll want to help you, so it leads to profitability. When you help others find jobs, it comes back to you. I experienced this recently with two new photographers I had just met at a networking function. Instead of calling them and asking them to refer me to clients, I called them with a potential job lead. Both photographers thanked me and then invited me to their studio so we could discuss working together in the future. I also ask all brides who call me what other services they are looking for. Even if they don't end up hiring me for videography, I have still given them the name of several colleagues. Some networking associations for videographers include the Wedding & Event Videographers Association International (WEVA), National Association for Catering Executives (NACE), Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), Association for Wedding Professionals International (AFWPI), Business Networking International (BNI), as well as your local videographers association, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Lions Club, etc. Ask! Ask! Ask! Asking is one of the most powerful success strategies there is, yet many people are afraid to ask for things due to fear of rejection. When you meet with a bride, do you ask her for her business before she leaves? After you ask once, do you stop asking if you haven't gotten a commitment? I read a marketing statistic that shows that 60% of all sales are made after the fourth call. Yet 94% of all salespeople quit after the third call. Think of all the business that is left sitting on the table. Express Gratitude. Expressing gratitude opens up the door for more blessings to come into your life. Before going to bed at night, think of five things that you are grateful for. Even in hard times, it helps to ask, "What is the opportunity in this (bad time)?" One thing on my list is to thank Jack Canfield for giving me a free press pass to his event. Want to know how I got it? I asked for it. Kris Malandruccolo (kris@elegantvideosbykris), an EventDV 25 honoree and 2007 WEVA Hall of Fame inductee, is the owner of Chicago-based Elegant Videos by Kris and Elegant Storybooks by Kris. She is a certified Master Wedding Vendor through the Association of Bridal Consultants, WEVA Public Relations Chair, an international speaker, and past-president of the Illinois Videographers Association.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tips for Brides: Brides On A Budget - How To Save Money On Wedding Videography

Tips for Brides:  Brides On A Budget - How To Save Money On Wedding Videography

As a professional videographer for over 20 years, I get frustrated when I hear others (not in the videography business) give advice to brides on how to save money on wedding videography!  Having a friend videotape your wedding or totally skipping videography is not the way to save money!   Married women confirm this in the WEVA Nationwide Survey of Brides (the only survey of brides done AFTER the wedding regarding their wedding video).  Read the WEVA survey in its entirety.

The Wedding & Event Videographers Associational, International (WEVA) decided to address the current economic situation of our industry.  As the WEVA Public Relations Chairperson, I worked with the committee to come up with some money tips for those who need to scale back due to the current recession.   

 Read the entire WEVA News Story here

WEVA PR Committee Addresses The Current Economic Situation of Our Industry
May 07, 2009

Sarasota, FL - The present economy is impacting the way our industry does business…even weddings are not immune from some of the effects. Recently in the majority of the Bridal Media there have been numerous articles and shows devoted entirely to “saving Brides money”. This type of promotion is not new, but with the current state of the economy, there is certainly more emphasis on this subject not only for weddings, but everything from grocery shopping to purchasing big-ticket items.

“This is an important issue every one of our members and in fact to all wedding professionals,” states Dan Argenas, WEVA Director of Association Communications. He goes on to say, “Our PR Committee has done an amazing first step in educating couples when they are searching for a videographer. It is important that we get the message out there and this will give us some excellent ammunition when speaking with the Bridal
Media in behalf of our industry.”

For example, one suggestion by a bridal consultant in California was to have a friend or relative of the Bride/Groom shoot the entire wedding day with a video camera, then hire a professional to edit the footage. Those of us in the industry know this is equal to a “disaster waiting to happen”.
However, just the fact this was mentioned in a mainstream media source warranted WEVA’s concern of the ramifications it could have on our industry and more importantly on how the brides thought about choosing to do their wedding video.

The WEVA PR Committee went to work to draft a couple of tips for the media. The PR Committee members are Kris Malandruccolo of Elegant Videos by Kris, Steve Moses of Vantage Point Productions, Mike Nelson of Remember When Films and Al Ritondo of Personal Touch Video. There were a number of factors considered as the wording of the release was discussed, debated and finally completed. First was the obvious point that many couples are looking very closely at their budgets and in some cases, reworking them. Many videographers have already adjusted and re-worked packages and services, and adjusted their packages to coincide with this issue. Taking this into account the Committee looked at what could be done to minimize the effect on the finished product/wedding film, while offering some money-saving tips for the couples. The other factor was that a recent WEVA survey shows that Videography becomes much more important to a couple AFTER they are married and that almost half of those couples who did use a family friend or a relative regretted it. Following is a summary of the Committee’s response.

Brides On A Budget: How To Save Money on Wedding Videography

We understand that the current economic conditions are making everyone look twice at their wedding budget. We would also like to offer a couple of money-saving tips to all WEVA members to communicate to their couples when they are considering their services as a professional videographer.

First, as our national survey shows, there is no substitute for a professional videographer. Half of those surveyed who had a friend or relative record their wedding would tell you, DON’T! Your wedding is too important a day to leave in the hands of well-meaning friends and amateur videographers. There is no
“take two” on your wedding day and it must be captured correctly the first time. Their advice: Invest in a professional. If your couples are looking for ways to reduce their videography budget, one way is by reducing the total hours of coverage. For example, the videographer can start the coverage at the ceremony instead of the pre-ceremony coverage at a Bride’s home. The hours of coverage at the reception could also be reduced, especially if all the key events are completed early. Another money saving tip is to suggest a “documentary” style of editing as opposed to an “artistic” style of editing. Artistic and cinematic editing involves more hours to edit, so that will add to the cost of the package.

Where should one begin to search for a professional videographer? Ask their family and friends for a
recommendation. Videographers can also be found on the Wedding & Event Videographers Association, International (WEVA) website (www.WEVA.com). Once there, click on the Brides Guide tab on the left. While there, look at the WEVA Nationwide Survey of Brides, which is the only survey of married brides. This survey shows that 98% of married brides recommend that future brides get their wedding videotaped. Let a WEVA member capture the emotion of your wedding day so you can share it with future generations to come!

In the News: Kris Malandruccolo quoted in the nationally distributed 2009 Brides Guide article, How to Vet Your Videographer

In the News:  Kris Malandruccolo quoted in the nationally distributed 2009 Brides Guide article,  How to Vet Your Videographer.

*The article below, written by Jake Laub, has appeared in several publications in various cities including Pittsburgh and San Antonio. 

Call it the “video gap.” While almost 40 percent of brides had no one recording their wedding in any form, 98 percent of newlyweds recommended that future brides have their weddings recorded, according to a study by the Wedding and Event Videographers Association. Or as Kris Malandruccolo, owner of Elegant Videos by Kris, in the Chicago area, puts it: “If I sold wedding video after the wedding, I’d make more money. Then the video becomes priceless.”

Actually, good video is priceless; bad video collects dust. The trick is making sure you get the former while staying in your budget, and that can be tough with video. Although Malandruccolo says price is usually the first thing couples ask about when considering a videographer, the truth is that making good video is time consuming – and thus costly.

“If you ever see prices under $1000, you have to ask what makes it possible for [the videographer] to spend two weeks to edit in addition to shooting the wedding,” says Brett Erskine, owner of BridalVideography.com.

But before you fork over a few grand to just anyone with a video camera, here are some guidelines to help ensure your money is well spent:

Vet Your Videographer

Like many photography companies, video companies often use freelancers. Be sure to meet with the person who is going to film your wedding. Ask to see their most recent work (this also will give you an idea of how fast they will get back to you with your tape), and make sure you see a full-length video. What is the style? Some videographers use voice-overs from interviews to add a cinematic feeling to the wedding tape, while others stick to a more documentary approach. It’s up to you what you prefer, but whatever you do, beware of just seeing a videographer’s highlight reel. “It’s exciting to watch, but it’s not what you’re going to get when you get your videotape – and people don’t realize that,” Erskine says.

Once you’ve found someone whose work – and personality – you like, sit down and discuss logistics. If you’re getting married in a dim church or at dusk, will you be OK with camera lights? Who needs to wear a mike and at what time? Going through a timeline with your videographer will sort these things out.

What’s New

While videography remains somewhat outside of the mainstream wedding industry (98 percent of brides hired a photographer versus only 29 percent who hired a videographer, according to the same WEVA study), it still boasts some snazzy trends. For example, now you can have a sneak-peak movie trailer made before your wedding or a music-video version of the event created afterwards. Many videographers also offer digital prints made from single frames of your video, especially if it was shot in high-definition. Often you can also take the highlights of your wedding to go with a video clip made especially for your iPod – because the last thing you want is your wedding video gathering dust.

Click to read the online article in My San Antonio Lifestyle