In Conversation With Momento Films

Momento Films specialises in capturing weddings with a documentary-style approach, blending authenticity with creative storytelling. Their work is defined by an intuitive ability to preserve meaningful moments, crafting timeless films that reflect the unique essence of each couple. With an emphasis on unobtrusive filming and genuine connections, they transform wedding days into elegant, emotive narratives.

Interview Alexander Ross

“truly have fun and enjoy the day. It’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae of wedding plans and potential last-minute changes, but it’s important to remember that this day is a celebration of their love and commitment.... ”

Can you share the story of how you first ventured into wedding videography? What sparked your interest in capturing these special moments?

Our journey into wedding videography began from a shared passion for capturing life’s most vibrant events on film. There’s something profoundly beautiful about witnessing and preserving the pivotal moments in people’s lives, and weddings encapsulate this perfectly. The idea of filming someone’s special day, where emotions run high and each moment is steeped in significance, truly resonated with us. This realisation sparked a collective desire to not just witness but artistically record these celebrations of love. Each wedding is a unique story, unfolding in real-time, and the opportunity to capture that with authenticity and creativity was an irresistible draw for our team. The joy and responsibility of creating something that couples will cherish for a lifetime motivates us to specialise in wedding videography.

What artistic influences or experiences have shaped your unique approach to wedding videography? Are there specific filmmakers or styles that inspire your work?

Our approach to wedding videography is less influenced by individual filmmakers and more by a collective philosophy of capturing the day as it naturally unfolds. We gravitate towards a documentary style, which allows us to create a sincere and unscripted portrayal of the wedding day. This method emphasises genuine moments over orchestrated ones, ensuring that the essence of each couple’s unique celebration is captured authentically.

Our primary focus is always on the experience of the couple. We strive to be unobtrusive, allowing the day to flow naturally while we capture the emotions and events as they occur. This approach not only leads to a more genuine depiction of their special day but also enhances the couple’s experience, ensuring they are not encumbered by our presence.

This style resonates with our belief that the true art of wedding videography lies in being meticulous observers, subtly capturing the details and moments that might otherwise go unnoticed, yet mean the world to the couple looking back on their day.

Among all the weddings you've filmed, is there one particular moment that stands out as exceptionally touching or memorable for you? What made it so special?

In the multitude of weddings we have had the privilege to film, we’ve come to realise that the most touching aspect is not just confined to a single moment but is present throughout the entire day. What stands out to us every time is the rare and beautiful gathering of an entire family in one place, united by joy and celebration. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s exceedingly rare for families to pause their busy lives and come together so completely.

Each wedding showcases not only the union of two people but also the convergence of various life stages of family and friends. Witnessing how the couple interacts and connects with these different generations and backgrounds adds a profound depth to the celebration. It’s these connections and the emotional undercurrents they bring that make every wedding uniquely memorable. This realisation has deeply influenced our filmmaking approach, as we strive to capture these overarching themes of unity and shared history, ensuring that the couple can look back and see not just their wedding day, but the love and community that surrounded them at this pivotal moment in their lives.

How do you infuse your personality into your work? Are there specific elements or techniques that you believe reflect your signature style?

Our approach to wedding videography is deeply influenced by our logical and analytical mindset, which guides the meticulous planning and execution of capturing each wedding day. This methodical approach ensures that no moment, no matter how fleeting, is missed.

Simultaneously, our empathetic nature plays a crucial role in how we interact with the couple and their guests. Understanding the emotional weight of the day, we strive to make everyone feel comfortable and at ease in front of the camera. This sensitivity allows us to capture more natural and heartfelt moments, as people are more likely to be themselves when they feel understood and respected.

These two aspects of our personality—our analytical approach to the technical aspects of filming and our empathy towards the people we film—combine to create a unique style that is both thorough and deeply human. This signature style not only ensures high-quality footage but also a genuine portrayal of the couple’s most cherished day, reflecting the authentic emotions and interactions of their celebration.

What do you look for in a wedding when a couple sends their enquiry? Is there any specific element of wedding style that makes you go ‘yes, I want to shoot this wedding’?

When a couple sends an enquiry, our first and foremost consideration is the unique story they have to share. Each wedding is inherently special, not because of its style or location, but because it represents a unique chapter in a couple’s life that they have chosen to share with their loved ones. This perspective drives our enthusiasm for every project we undertake.

While we find every wedding special, we are particularly drawn to those where the couple has a clear vision of how they want their day to be remembered and captured. It’s not so much the grandeur or the specific elements of style that attract us, but the passion and love that the couple intends to celebrate. When a couple communicates their story and their values clearly, it helps us to envision the best way to capture their day in a manner that truly reflects their personalities and emotions.

This personal approach ensures that each wedding film we create is as unique as the couple themselves, and it is this bespoke nature of our work that makes us excited to say ‘yes’ to every new opportunity.

Building a connection with clients is crucial. How do you ensure that you understand and capture the unique essence of each couple's love story?

Building a strong connection with our clients is fundamental to capturing the essence of their wedding day through film. To ensure this, we prioritise having a video call with each couple before finalising their booking. This initial meeting is crucial as it allows us to set clear expectations and ensures that we are a good fit for each other.

During this call, we take the time to truly listen to their story—how they met, what they value in each other, and what their vision is for their wedding day. This not only helps us get to know them on a personal level but also allows us to understand the unique dynamics of their relationship. By gaining these insights, we can tailor our approach to better reflect their personalities and the nuances of their love in the wedding film.

This personalised interaction sets the foundation for a trusting relationship, enabling us to capture more authentic and intimate moments on their special day. It’s about more than just filming; it’s about creating a space where they feel comfortable and understood, which ultimately shines through in the emotive quality of the film.

Do you have a favourite type of wedding venue or location to shoot at? How does the setting influence your creative choices?

While we appreciate the unique beauty of all wedding venues, our preferred locations are those that offer freedom of movement and ample space. Such environments provide the flexibility needed to capture a wide variety of angles and perspectives, ensuring that no important moment is missed. The spaciousness also allows us to be more creative with our shots, using the environment to enhance the storytelling aspect of each wedding film.

However, the key to a successful shoot, more than the venue itself, lies in effective communication with the wedding team. A venue can be anywhere, but a well-coordinated team that communicates openly ensures that the day runs smoothly and every crucial moment is captured beautifully. This teamwork allows us to adapt to any setting, turning potential challenges into opportunities for memorable shots.

Therefore, while we have preferences for certain types of venues, the most critical factor for us is the dynamic of the team we’re working with. Good communication not only eases the logistical aspects of filming but also enhances the overall creativity and quality of the final product.

What advice do you often find yourself giving to couples as they plan their wedding day, especially in relation to videography?

One of the key pieces of advice we always give to couples is, as cliché as it may sound, to truly have fun and enjoy their day. It’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae of wedding plans and potential last-minute changes, but it’s important to remember that this day is a celebration of their love and commitment. We encourage them not to sweat the small stuff because they have a dedicated team working behind the scenes to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

From a videography perspective, a relaxed and joyous couple makes for the best footage. Genuine smiles, laughter, and heartfelt moments are what make a wedding film truly captivating and memorable. By trusting their team and embracing the day with joy, couples help create a more authentic and vibrant film that they’ll cherish for years to come.

Furthermore, we advise them to communicate openly with their videographer about any specific moments or elements they want to be captured. This ensures that we are fully prepared to capture those details that mean the most to them, aligning our creative vision with their expectations for the day.

How do you approach working with other wedding vendors, such as photographers and planners, to ensure a seamless and collaborative experience?

On the wedding day, we view all the vendors as part of one big team, united by our common goal to deliver the best possible experience for the couple. The foundation of ensuring a seamless and collaborative environment lies in communication and respect.

Prior to the wedding day, we make it a point to reach out to other key vendors such as the photographer and planner. This initial contact is not just about discussing logistics but also about building rapport. Saying hello and establishing a friendly relationship early on sets a positive tone and facilitates smoother interactions on the actual day.

During the wedding, maintaining open lines of communication is crucial. We ensure that we are all synced in terms of timing and locations, which helps in avoiding any overlaps or conflicts, especially between videography and photography. By respecting each other’s space and work, we can seamlessly capture the day from multiple angles without interfering with each other’s shots.

This collaborative approach not only enhances the overall workflow but also enriches the experience for the couple, ensuring that their day is captured beautifully from all perspectives without any stress or disruption.

Find Momento Films online by CLICKING HERE or follow on Instagram at @momento_films

DISCLAIMER: We attempt to credit the original photographer/source of every image we use. However, in most circumstances, the images we use are provided by the brands spoken about, and we rely on them to inform us of the image source. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@theodoremagazine.com

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