Happy Friday Y’all! Erin here with a little confession…we didn’t necessary find Joel Serrato Films. Joel is very well known in the wedding industry as one of the best cinematographers. However, we are so fortunate that for the first time we will be able to work with Joel in 2012! Joel is unique in that he shoots super 8 mm film on antique cameras. The result is stunning- the warmest, vintage quality films. Throughout the planning process I’ve gotten to know Joel a bit better and have truly found him to be so kind and completely dedicated to his art! Joel is a California boy so I thought it would be fun to do a little Q&A with him to introduce him to any East Coasters over here that may not know him as well. After my little interview I was so in love with his positivity I really wanted to ask him to be my new best friend…don’t worry, I didn’t.

Erin- How did you find cinematography?

Joel- I would like to think that cinematography found me really, I stumbled upon this craft and medium of super 8 for filming for weddings by total accident. I was filming projects “for fun” to be a creative outlet from my stressful corporate world “career” I had going for myself etc… I shot 1 wedding on super 8 film and was hooked! I loved that I was a fly on the wall capturing a day in a couple’s life that was so important to them and to their families. being a part of creating something so important that would bring memories back for a lifetime, and I loved that!

Erin- What do you love most and least about filming weddings?

Joel- There are definitely only things I love about weddings, yes sometimes a wedding dynamic can be a fast moving phenomenon on it’s own and you only have one shot to get those special moments, you can’t recreate them. the only way I feel I can describe what I do is that I have a gut feeling inside me & I feel I know something will happen, I am patient and I wait for that moment and I snap away. When I capture these shots, I feel so great inside because I know my couples will be so grateful when they finally see the final product and see themselves in movement, it’s the best memory anyone could ever have!

Erin- What use Super 8 mm film?

Joel- I love to film on the medium of super 8 because it speaks to me, everything about it, the subtle noise it makes when the camera is rolling the art of development, the color, the grain, I love it all! super 8 film makes people’s faces look so soft and the colors are unparalleled to digital videography. filmmaking to me captures an essence and feel that reminds my clients of their dreams and memories.

Erin- Why do you feel filming a wedding is so important?

Joel- Filming a wedding is extremely important. Photographs can only tell so much of that day, having movement is so special, seeing someone hold hands, seeing an exchange of rings, kissing a loved one, seeing the interaction of people enjoying themselves during a sunset cocktail hour & even just remembering the color of the sky and the sunset…who wouldn’t want to remember these things? Having someone film your wedding is an important part of documenting your life, almost 50% if not less than those people invited for your wedding day will never be reunited in once place together ever again! why not hold those memories close to your heart, hire a filmmaker and don’t regret not having it, that is probably the worst feeling ever!

Erin- You are a newlywed yourself! (Joel’s wedding was recently featured in the Winter issue of Martha Stewart Weddings). What advice do you have to someone about to get married?

Joel- I am a newlywed. I married this year in april and it was the perfect day. I would definitely recommend hiring a full service planner and designer for your wedding esthetic. Planning / design services listen to your style/esthetic in your every day life and translate that into your decor, lighting, food, and anything else you can dream up and imagine! Wedding planners know the best team of vendors, they know who they can trust, who will get the job done beautifully and create the best day for you and your loved one. My second most important advice is hire proper documentation, photographs and filmmaking are the most important thing I now own in my entire life! Sounds a bit cheesy since I am in this industry but weddings mean so much more to me now after being married myself, memories are all you have left when everything is done. For proper guidance ask your wedding planner/designer who they would recommend for the type of esthetic of your wedding celebration.

Joel on his wedding day! Shot by his husband, Jose Villa, an amazingly talented photographer. Can we say power couple???

We are tickled pink that Joel will be making his first trip to Charleston to work with us in the Spring. I will be sure to report back then with hopefully a snippet or two from the film. In the meantime, be sure to check out Joel’s blog for more films. You won’t be disappointed!