Chris and Steve Hart's Wedding, Wilmington DE

Christina & Steve Hart were married in Wilmington, DE, on June 6, 2010 at the Waterfall Banquet Center.

What's New, Hawaiian Vacation, VHS Transfer to DVD, Wilmington DE, Personal Touch Memories Video, PTM Video

I've been doing a lot of transfers from VHS, JVC, and Super8mm tape to DVD for clients. Well, I decided to transfer and edit some of our old vacations. This is the first one I've transferred.

From July 6, 1988 to July 20, 1988 we took a trip to 4 of the Hawaiin Islands, Oahu, Kauai, Hawaii, and Maui. Barbara was 11 and Vince was 8 while Carol and I, well, let's just say we were younger.

Some of the activites we did was the Polynesian Cultural Center, a Hawaiian Luau, and took a helicopter ride over the Waimea Canyon. We also went to the Thurston Lava Tube, visited Pali Lookout, the windiest place on earth, and drove the Hana Highway to the 7 Sacred Pools in Maui.

The latter was quite interesting. It was 4 hours from Lahaina on this very narrow, winding road. On our drive we past several waterfalls, banana trees, and taro fields. The ultimate destination was the 7 Sacred Pools.

The 7 Sacred Pools was a religious site for the Hawaiian people. It started on a high plateau and 7 waterfalls cascaded down, 1 to the other, to the bottom which was the largest and that led to the Pacific Ocean. You could swim to the final waterfall which we did. Just as the last of the pools flowed into the ocean there was a sign "Swim at your own risk - Shark area". I had just purchased my first camcorder shortly before we left and I taped everything, over 6 hours of footage and I edited it down to 30 minutes.

I encourage each parent, grandparent, or guardian to invest in a camcorder. Keep the battery charged, keep it handy, and film all type of activities; playing, sleeping, crying, talking. Just a few minutes is enough. It will pay dividends over the years when you watch them 20 years from now.

To view a 6 minute clip, which includes 3 minutes of video and a 3 minute photo montage, of a 1988 video where the video was shot with an old analog camcorder, the footage is 22 years old, and where the pictures are faded, but the memories vivid; there's even some shots of me with hair (how old can you get) simply click Euculano Family Hawaiian Vacation.

What's New, Hawaiian Vacation, VHS Transfer to DVD, Wilmington DE, Personal Touch Memories, PTM Video, www.ptmvideo.com

Lura and Rich Taub, What's New, Wedding, Wilmington DE, PTM Video, Personal Touch Memories

Sunday, November 15, 2009, I had the great pleasure of filming a live wedding testimonial given by Lura & Rich Taub. Lura & Rich were married on a beautiful Sunday in October. I asked Lura & Rich to participate in giving a live testimonial and they graciously accepted. You can see their live testimonial by clicking Lura & Rich Testimonial.

Lura and Rich Taub, What's New, Wedding, Wilmington DE, PTM Video, Personal Touch Memories Video

Micolucci Taub Wedding, Wedding, Live Testimonial, Wilmington DE, PTM Video, Personal Touch Memories, Video Services, Videography

Micolucci Taub Wedding, Wedding, Live Testimonial, Wilmington DE, PTM Video, Personal Touch Memories, Video Services, Videography

Dr. Karen Feeney DC, Meet The Doctor, Wilmington DE, PTM Video, Personal Touch Memories, Video Services, Videography

Dr. Karen Feeney DC, Meet The Doctor, Wilmington DE

On Tuesday, October 20, 2009, I had the opportunity to videotape Dr. Karen Feeney of Brandywine Total Health Care in a “Meet the Doctor” segment. I met the Doc several years ago when I went to her for a back problem that she quickly and effectively cured. She asked if I would be able to help with a video project at her daughter’s school, Children’s Montessori School. After 1 ½ years of planning, directing, and shooting, we finished the project this past summer.

In speaking with her she asked if I would be able to help her put video on her website. I suggested a “Meet the Doctor” or "Live Testimonial" segment. We got together this morning and had a great time filming it. She mentioned that she saw live testimonials on http://www.ptmvideo.com/ and asked if she could give one. You can see both Meet The Doctor" and her "Live Testimonial for PTM Video by following the links, Dr. Karen Meet The Doctor and Dr. Karen Live Testimonial.

Dr. Karen Feeney DC, Meet The Doctor, What's New, Baptism - Wilmington DE, PTM Video, Personal Touch Memories, Video Services, Videography

Kamen Bar Mitzvah, Family Events, Wilmington DE, PTM Video, Personal Touch Memories, Videography, Video Services

Kamen Bar Mitzvah, Family Events, Wilmington DE, PTM Video, Personal Touch Memories, Videography, Video Services

Baptism - Wilmington DE

Baptism - Wilmington DE

Rusk Productions, Live Testimonial, Wilmington DE, PTM Video, Personal Touch Memories, Video Services, Videography

Rusk Productions, Live Testimonial, Wilmington DE, PTM Video, Personal Touch Memories, Video Services, Videography

Keller Family History, Wilmington DE, What's New, PTM Video, Personal Touch Memories, Videography, Video Services

Keller Family History, Wilmington DE

On Sunday, June 14, 2009, I videotaped "The Keller Family History". A family history chronicles the life stories of a family. Designed to be presented in chapter format, some chapters could include: stories of parents/grandparents, sibling stories of growing up, how parents/grandparents met, certain world events that reshaped the future, just to mention a few.
The Keller family grew up in York County, Dallastown, PA but the videotaping session occurred in Wilmington, where one of the siblings lives. The Keller siblings consist of 6 sisters and 1 brother, Bob, Sylvia, Dolores, Wanda, Susan, Carol, and Cathy. Although only 5 were present, all contributed to what was a most wonderful day with varied stories, thoughts, and memories over some 70 years of life. Those not able to attend sent answers to previously provided questions as well as videotaping themselves and having that footage incorporated into the final DVD.
The completed DVD is menu driven including chapter points and contains music, still pictures, video clips from 1 of the siblings unable to attend, as well as the captured video from Sunday's taping session. A total of 3 hours of footage was taken. Two cameras were used - 1 for close up shots and the other for wide angle shots. Three different wireless microphone systems were also used - 2 Audio-Technica lavalier microphones and a handheld Samsung. Originally designed to be only 45-50 minutes in length, the stories told were so vivid, exciting, and numerous that the final DVD is 1 hour and 11 minutes. All participants did so much research, provided so many pictures, had so many stories, that it was extremely difficult to leave so much on the cutting room floor.

To view a short 4 minute clip simply go to Videos and select "Family History"

PTM Video, Personal Touch Memories, Videography, Video Services, Keller Family History, What's New, Wilmington

Why Hire a Professional Videographer, Wilmington DE, PTM Video, Personal Touch Memories, Videography, Video Services

Why Hire a Professional Videographer, Wilmington DE

The ceremony and reception will be over in 12 hours. The look of the church, the hall, the decorations, the centerpieces, the bouquet, and the cake are now becoming a distant memory. Everyone who is important to you will be there, your family and your dearest friends. This day took months, and in some cases years, to plan and in 12 short hours it will be over. The bride and groom remember little, if anything, as the day is a complete blur. However, hiring a professional videographer provides you with more than just a memory of how beautiful the day really was, it provides an avenue for you to relive all of these memories exactly as they occurred when you share these memories with family, friends, and future generations. Everyone will be able to recall the walk down the aisle, hear your precious vows and intentions, see and hear your first dance, and all the other events that make this day your Cinderella day. So why hire a professional videographer instead of a relative or friend, after all “…anybody can press the record button on a video camera.”.

A professional is just what he/she is, a professional. They are the experts at getting the footage that means the most to you; the groom’s look as he sees you for the first time, that special kiss from Mom and Dad. Taping a wedding is unlike taping a family vacation or a child’s school play. There are absolutely no retakes and each moment of the 12 hour day is precious and holds memories for a lifetime to come. Everything matters from the professional audio equipment that is used, to the quality of picture from the video camera including exposure, focusing, and camera placement. Every taped minute counts.

A professional knows how to get the tough shots, they know how and when to zoom or pan, they can anticipate the tear in a loved ones eye just about to be dabbed, they can foresee when the tender moments between bride and groom will occur. They are capable of anticipating and getting these shots. A bride commented to me how touched she was when she saw tears in her husband's eyes at their first dance. One groom told me that he was so glad that his wife made the decision to hire a professional videographer as he now sees and hears everything that they both missed during the day.

A professional videographer has experience getting footage in difficult situations, i.e. a guest stands in front of the camera at the same time you are exchanging rings, the church's audio system goes down and you can’t hear the readings, the proper lighting needed to obtain the best possible picture without using large and bright camera lights, the different angles of shots that make your wedding your special day are among a few.

In many situations, a professional videographer is also an editor or works with an editor who can put the entire puzzle of your wedding footage together in one narrative Cinderella Story, Your Cinderella Story. They have the most up to date non-linear editing system needed to provide the tools to be sure that the quality of your picture is impecable, such as the ability to color correct and be sure that white is white,, audio enhancements to be sure that your vows seem natural and easy to hear, and many others.

You hire a professional photographer, a professional ballroom manager, a professional caterer and baker, a professional florist all to provide you with the most beautiful day possible, so then why trust an amateur with absolutely no experience with something so critical and long lasting as your wedding video? Your wedding DVD will be the only thing you have to show everyone, now and in the future, exactly how your day was.

What's New, Why Hire a Professional Videographer, Wilmington DE, PTM Video, Personal Touch Memories, Videography, Video Services

Preparing For Your 1st Meeting , Wilmington DE, Personal Touch Memories Video, PTM Video, Wedding Videography

Preparing For Your 1st Meeting , Wilmington DE

1. VIEW THE WEBSITE – Look at each page to see the overall scheme of the site. If there are testimonials, read them. However, realize that no negative testimonials will be posted. View the video clips and see the editing style used by the company. Make sure it is what you want. If you are looking for large graphics and packaged transitions then be sure that you see them. If you are looking for something else, be sure to make note of it to see if the company can do it.
ASK FRIENDS WHO THEY USED – Friends who recently got married will give you the pros and cons of the vendors they used. A videographer’s best form of advertisement is the satisfied clients he or she has. That’s why it is imperative for videographers to continually strive to satisfy the needs of their clients.
CEREMONY AND RECEPTION LOCATION – Check to see if your videographer has ever worked in these locations. However, the fact that they may not have worked at your site before should not prevent you from hiring them. Personal Touch Memories makes every effort to visit the venue prior to the wedding to find the best possible location for cameras, microphones, etc. Additionally, if time and distance allow, Personal Touch Memories attends the rehearsal to see the method of procession, where the attendants will stand during the vows, etc.
COMMUNICATION – Be able to tell your videographer everything that is going to happen at your wedding, i.e. announcement of a wedding anniversary, special events that will occur. The more the videographer knows, the better he/she can prepare for your wedding. The last thing you want to hear is that the videographer was videotaping the cake when Grandma was dancing with the groom.
SEE EXAMPLES OF THE VIDEOGRAPHER’S WORK – You should try to see a few examples of the videographer’s work. Be sure that you see the work of the actual videographer and editor who will be shooting and editing your wedding. Don’t settle for “we have a staff of great videographers and editors”.
QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK:
a) How do you handle lighting? Personal Touch Memories does not use large banks of bright lights. Instead the cameras that Personal Touch Memories uses are good in low light and if the light is too low then we ask that the lights be turned up for proper illumination. At the reception, we only use on-camera lights. A 10 watt light bulb attached to the camera is not the least bit offensive and works wonders.
b) Will I be able to hear my vows and readings? Personal Touch Memories attaches a wireless microphone system on the groom as the primary audio recording device. We also use a backup digital voice recorder on the groom just in case there is interference, battery problems, etc. Additionally, a separate digital voice recorder is placed inconspicuously on the podium or pulpit where the readings will be given.
c) Do you have backup equipment? Personal Touch Memories always travels with 3 cameras, 2 of which are always used at the ceremony. It has 3 wireless microphone systems, several digital voice recorders, 7 on-camera batteries providing over 70 hours worth of power. Therefore, if any piece of equipment malfunctions we always have another in reserve.
d) Do you work with a contract and can I view it before signing it? At the very first meeting Personal Touch Memories provides the bride with two copies of the contract that explains the length of time involved, the cost with the breakdown of payment and what each package provides, various Terms & Conditions, i.e. deposit, raw footage, etc

Preparing For Your 1st Meeting , Wilmington DE, Personal Touch Memories Video, PTM Video, Videography

Giorgi Family History, Wilmington DE, Personal Touch Memories Video, Wilmington DE,PTM Video, Wilmington DE,

Giorgi Family History, Wilmington DE

On Sunday, July 12, 2009, I videotaped "The Salvatore & Livia Giorgi Family History". A family history chronicles the life stories of a family. This particular chapter concentrated on the immigration of Salvatore & Livia Giorgi family to America from Italy in 1936 and then their life in Wilmington, DE.

The Giorgi family came to America from Italy in 1936 where 4 of the Giorgi siblings were born. The videotaping session, which began with a delicious brunch and extraordinary stories of the siblings remembering their lives, took place at Pete Giorgi's home in Wilmington .

The Giorgi siblings consist of 3 sisters and 3 brothers, Antoinette, Marie, Josephine, Joseph, Pete, and John. All were present and all contributed to what was a most wonderful day with varied stories, thoughts, and memories over some 80 years of life. Some of the stories included stories of their grandparents, the voyage of the siblings and their mother, Livia Giorgi, to America on the ship Conte de Savoia, their home when they first arrived in Wilmington, and many, many more.

The completed DVD will include music, still pictures, and the captured video from Sunday's taping session. A total of 2 hours of footage was taken. Two cameras were used - 1 for close up shots and the other for wide angle shots. Three different wireless microphone systems were also used - 2 Audio-Technica lavalier microphones and a handheld Samsung. The finished DVD will be approximately 1 hour and 11 minutes long.

Giorgi Family History, Wilmington DE, Personal Touch Memories Video, Wilmington DE,PTM Video, Wilmington DE,