Tapestry Health

Spent the last two days videotaping interviews and other footage for a promotional video for Tapestry Health. The focus was their programs for the homeless and reentry populations in the Springfield, Massachusetts area. On Tuesday, we interviewed some counselors, participants, and Tapestry Health founder, Leslie Laurie.

I rode along with a counselor around Springfield on Wednesday, getting shots of damage from the June tornado, shooting galleries (for drugs) in the woods and by the railroad tracks, and some economically depressed neighborhoods where their clients live. It was eye-opening to see that side of the city. I was in awe of the task facing Tapestry employees, and impressed by their passion.

From their website: "Tapestry Health is a locally grown community-based provider in Western Massachusetts that offers affordable, high quality care. Our services include family planning, reproductive health exams, STI screenings, HIV counseling and testing, insurance enrollment, needle exchange, community education and outreach, medical case management, a family nutrition program, legislative advocacy, and much more."

Wedding in Brookline & Wellesley

This Saturday, I had the pleasure of taping Maureen and Matt's wedding. They were married at St. Mary's Church in Brookline with a reception at Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley, Massachusetts. It was my first time working with the photographers from AMW Studios. Ariel and Matt were great to work with, and I could see that they were efficient and fun in working with the bridal couple and their family and guests. Brendan Howard of Murray Hill Talent was their DJ, and he kept the party moving along effortlessly. Overall coordination was handled beautifully by Erica Jones of Events by Sharon's Daughter.

Hartsbrook School Video Online

Today I'm uploading the Hartsbrook School's enrollment videos to Vimeo.com. There are three, one for the early childhood program, one for the elementary school, and one for the high school.

Hartsbrook High School Enrollment Video from Tom Klitus on Vimeo.

First Churches Northampton

Northampton regained a beautiful wedding venue when First Churches Northampton reopened after a long, 2 million dollar repair project. If you're looking for a location for your Northampton wedding, you'll want to have this on your list of places to see.

Lord Jeffery Inn

Met with Anne and Jiuming last night about doing their wedding video. They are getting married at St. Brigid's Church in Amherst, MA with a reception at the Lord Jeffery Inn, also in Amherst.

The question of high definition (HD) came up, and we talked about how important is it, is it worth the extra cost, what are the differences between standard def and high def. I thought Jiuming made a great point when he suggested that the video be shot using the typical technology of the day, which, in this case, would be standard definition. Your parents' or grandparents' wedding might have been captured on silent black-and-white film, placing it in a cultural and historical context. In the same way, shooting in standard definition now places your wedding in a specific cultural and historical context—so maybe you don't need to fret about high def versus standard.

To be sure, I love to use the new technology, I can shoot in HD, and I enjoy HD projects, so I'm ready for the next era of wedding video, too.

Bridal Sale Blowout!

Just heard about this bridal gown sale through the DJ Network:

Wednesday, Feb. 27th 4-9pm, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Springfield, MA (next to the Basketball Hall of Fame). All bridal gowns are on sale for $199 (originally $800-2500).

Bridal Show Coming Up

March 9th I will have a booth at the Western New England Spring Bridal Show at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. The show will include a fashion show by Bancroft Bridals of Agawam and live wedding bands.

Look for my booth—I will be offering an iPod nano loaded with your wedding highlights to anyone who books a date with us at the show!

La Renaissance

Met with Theresa and Ben in West Hartford today about producing their wedding video. They are getting married at St. Michael's in East Longmeadow, MA with a reception at La Renaissance in East Windsor, CT.

They are expecting a big crowd with 350 guests—not to worry, the La Renaissance can handle up to 800!

The Log Cabin

Met with Mirella and Rich today about producing their wedding video. They are getting married at The Log Cabin in Holyoke, MA. It is located on Mt. Tom, and has spectacular views. They will be in the Southampton room, which has a huge bank of windows with a southern exposure. Their late September wedding should give them beautiful views of the autumn leaves.

Woo-hoo! New camera

Received our new Canon XH A1 this week, and put it right to work, shooting a video for the Hartsbrook School in Hadley, MA. The A1 is capable of shooting in high definition (HD), but for this project I am using it in standard widescreen mode. After some inital tweaking with the presets, I beginning to get the images close to what I want.

Here are a couple of screen shots from today:
The High School building, Piening Hall.

Two seventh grade boys doing perspective drawing in the shadow of the Mt. Holyoke range.

The Hotel Northampton

Back at the Hotel Northampton again tonight, always a great place for a reception. Downtown Northampton, Massachusetts, across from the cool Calvin Theater, where many national acts pass through. And just a ten minute drive from my house!

The happy couple today was Laura and Jeremy. Got married at the Abbey Chapel on the Mount Holyoke College campus. Abbey Chapel has wonderful stone architecture and great acoustics—a real hidden gem, if you're looking for a wedding location. In years past, I had taped a couple of Mount Holyoke College concerts there, including an excellent production of Mozart's Requiem.

Pictures to come...

Castle Hill

Last Friday I shot a wedding at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA. What a view (see photo!)



Making things even more exciting was the thunder and lightning just offshore. Luckily, the rain held off until the very end of the outdoor ceremony.

Linden Hill School

The next two days, I'll be spending part of my time at Linden Hill School in Northfield, MA, taping their commencement ceremonies. Linden Hill is a middle school dedicated to helping boys with dyslexia or language-learning differences realize their full potential. Thursday night is their awards night, and Friday morning is their more formal commencement. A portion of their commencement is given over to "book awards" where faculty members get up to speak about their personal connection with two boys in the school, and present each of them with a book, specially chosen. There is never, never a dry eye in the house (camera operators included!), and the faculty members usually need to recover themselves in the middle of their speeches. It's amazing, and I've never seen anything like it.

My favorite Massachusetts wedding sites

Someone asked me this weekend where in Massachusetts I've enjoyed shooting the most. It got me thinking about my favorite wedding sites. Here's a list, in no particular order:

The Log Cabin, terrific views from the side of Mt. Tom in Holyoke, MA. Has the added benefit of being only 5 minutes from my house!

The Gamble Mansion, at the Boston Center for Adult Education. A hidden gem across from the Public Garden, with a spectacular ballroom.

The Boston Harbor Hotel, elegance on the water.

The Cranwell Resort, Lenox, MA, a beautiful building and extensive grounds for photos. Enjoy a 60-mile view of the surrounding hills.

Elm Bank Reservation, Wellesley, MA, home of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Spectacular!

Lyman Estate, Waltham, MA, great old building (1793) with lots of room inside and out, and gorgeous landscaping.