Bringing in the Old with the New

So, it's been a crazy time in the last little while, and I'm really excited about what's to come :)

First, I set up my review for the year at The Wedding Ring. Basically, it's the same as last year's, but what's new is I get to take part in the VIP Membership program. This gets new brides special discounts with many vendors who participate in reviews with The Wedding Ring when they sign up for videography with me :) You can check out some of the vendor's deals here.

Secondly, I lined up some shoots with some old friends - First, I'll be shooting a Bif Naked interview this weekend! I'm psyched! Should be lots of fun and I'm sure it will look fantastic! Second, I will be shooting the CBI Health Group's Hustle for Hunger next year once more :) Really excited to stay at the Old Mill once again - loved it last year, and the run is always a good time.

This weekend, I'll be working on a video for The Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life! Looking forward to putting this promo together with Charles Phelps - if you don't know his story already, you will soon! If you would like to see more, check out the Just Chuck segment on Mark Schadenberg's blog here.

Of course, I am still puttering away with editing. Really making the push this weekend and looking forward to having everything wrapped up by the end of November!

Busy busy busy!

Hope to talk to you soon!!

Amanda






Use Promo Code 23100120065 on www.flashpointphotobooth.com and receive as much as $100 off of your booking! Remember to mention Hartery Productions!

Wedding Show Deals

Hi everyone!

I will be offering some great deals at The Wedding Ring's Fall Bridal Expo 2012!!

 Deals include:
- 20% off cards that do not expire until May 2013!

- The last chance to get this year's pricing before new pricing comes out in October!

- A great door prize and grand prize (but I will keep those a secret)!

Date: Sept. 23rd, 2012
Time: 11am-5pm
Where: Waterloo Inn, Waterloo!

 Come on out and see some great deals from all the amazing vendors! Register here to get in for free:

 Here's a highlight video of what a day in weddings might look like:

Wedding Day in Short from Amanda Hartery on Vimeo.
I have many more samples, please e-mail me at harteryproductions@rogers.com if you would like to see more! All the best! Amanda




Use Promo Code 23100120065 on www.flashpointphotobooth.com and receive as much as $100 off of your booking! Remember to mention Hartery Productions!

August - Training, Weddings, Vacation :)

Hey guys!

So last month was quite the mish-mash of stuff! I did lots of training through work, a couple weddings including my FIRST "destination" wedding in Newfoundland :) Of course, I have a ton of family out there, so it was a nice vacation for me as well. Here's a few pictures:

Beautiful cake! This wedding was beautiful, lots of family around the couple, and I'm sure they had fun screeching in the relatives from the main land :P

Signal Hill!

The view from my grandmother's house, straight into the ocean.

I loved it! I'm sure Tyson had a great time too, and it was great to just get away and relax for a week. We then came back and hung around Ontario - went to Sarnia, went to the CNE and spent a wonderful night at the Westin Harbor Castle, and just generally having a great time :)

Now, I'm back to work, enjoying a new office and getting lots of editing done. This weekend I plan to get a good chunk of it finished from the summer and move on to a few side projects I have on the go.

I'm also looking into getting my review renewed in The Wedding Ring this year :) Please visit my review and click the love it button if you haven't already!

The Wedding Ring also has a new promotion coming out for VIP Brides - If you get a card, you will receive special deals from vendors (including myself). I am offering 20% off my package pricing for this year - my prices will be going up next year, so don't miss out on this offer! Feel free to arrange a meeting if you're interested.

Talk to you soon!

Amanda





Use Promo Code 23100120065 on www.flashpointphotobooth.com and receive as much as $100 off of your booking! Remember to mention Hartery Productions!

July - What a whirlwind! Bring on August!

4 weddings, crazy heat and good times - that's how I would sum up July. As much as 4 weddings may not sound like a lot, add in a full time job and going through training to the mix and I can see why I'm counting down to my holidays!

The beginning of July started out with a wedding at the Elm Hurst Inn in Ingersoll. This ceremony was beautiful - the setting was down in the valley in behind the hotel, with some very nice live musicians... however, the heat was almost unbearable! There was no breeze that day, and everyone was soaked with sweat. I was shocked to see guests in the audience get up during the ceremony in search of shade and water. On the positive side - I got a decent tan :P The next wedding was in Mount Brydges - on a cooler day with a wonderful quiet setting in what seemed to be out in the middle of nowhere.

The ceremony took place on a property on the outskirts of town. There was a pond, lovely plants, waterfalls and wildlife everywhere. Very nice! And let's not forget the awesome car the couple got to drive:

The following wedding was in Owen Sound. I couldn't go as I had a wedding the next day that I would never have been able to make, so I am excited about getting the footage soon from Shouldice Media!

The final wedding was in the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington - absolutely stunning! What a great place to have a ceremony and reception! Beautiful flowers everywhere, gorgeous pathways for some amazing pictures... I would go back in a heartbeat! I also had a date for the wedding:

I was a little freaked out when this landed on me at first, but it turned out to be pretty cool :P

Anyway, I am gearing up for 2 more weddings before my holidays! I'm heading to Newfoundland from the 15th-20th, with a wedding there on the 17th. I can't wait!! After that, I'm coming back to Ontario to enjoy a week of the outdoors. So pumped. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Amanda

And It Begins!!! Entering the Wedding Season

After my transition into Woodstock, wedding season has certainly started!

Originally, I was so happy that I had more weddings booked than I had last year. I mean, of course I was happy about my business growing! Then...

Out of nowhere...

BAM! I somehow booked 5 more weddings in the last couple months. Just to put this in perspective - I went from having an open June to having 2 weddings, and going from 2 weddings in July to having 4!!! I just can't believe it. Booking weddings doesn't just involve someone e-mailing me and getting it - it normally involves meetings, negotiations, and lots of arrangements, which makes my agenda pretty busy!

On top of this, I have been working on my professional certification in event coordination with Tourism Canada. Personally,  think this will help me with planning my own videography, but also planning other events at work. I would also love to explore planning other events outside of work - whether it be weddings, a dinner, or even a city-wide event. So, here's what I have so far

The next step for me to achieve the professional certification is to gain 1500 hours of experience between now and next May. So... if you're looking for some help planning an event or need a videographer, give me a call! LOL.

I'll also be going through a bunch of training with work... I'm finishing up some Project Management Application training, studying for a Certified Technology Specialist exam coming up in the fall, as well as some Crestron (automation of controls for a/v equipment) training coming up in August!

What I am looking forward to most, however, is my summer vacation :) From Aug. 12-25th, I am off of work (apart from a wedding in Newfoundland of course!!). I can't wait to just have the time to really relax, and hopefully I'll get to spend a couple days away with Ty :)

Anyway, that's my life so far... busy busy busy! Stay tuned for some awesome new highlights!


Amanda


Use Promo Code 23100120065 on www.flashpointphotobooth.com and receive as much as $100 off of your booking! Remember to mention Hartery Productions!

Big Sigh of Relief in Woodstock

Hi everyone!

Can't believe it's been so long since I've written last! It's been a whirlwind of a month, and the hustle and bustle has just started coming to a close. I truly feel much more relaxed than I have in a while, and I certainly have a few people and a new location to thank for that :)

First off, what a month May was!! Work was crazy with concerts at PI, I shot my first wedding of the season, and I moved back to Woodstock.

The wedding was in London, and of course the bride looked amazing in a gorgeous beaded gown. The wedding had a belly dancer during the reception, and everyone had a great time.

As for the move, I couldn't be happier :) I feel like I am finally somewhere I can relax and laze around for a day if I wanted to. I guess moving from a bachelor to a 2 bedroom apartment will do that to you. I'll give you a comparison:

Here is the old kitchen:

New kitchen:

I'm sure you can imagine the rest :) I am so happy here. I like that I have a different room to edit in and feel like I can get so much more accomplished. I'm also closer to some friends who I've missed, and I like the fact that I can go out and not have to run into the crazies of downtown Kitchener that I used to see. It's nice to be home.

Of course, there are people to thank for helping with the move - my mom, Tyson's mom, and of course Tyson for making it all happen. I wouldn't have been able to do it without his support, that's for sure. I know he's spent a lot of time and late nights moving, but now we get to have a home of our own. I'll still be in Waterloo for work, so of course I'll be around.

In the meantime, I'll be editing weddings, enjoying the apartment, and hopefully lounging at the beach :) Can't wait to have more beach days with Ashley :)

Talk soon!

Just a tidbit of stuff to share this time:

Recently, my day job has began posting my videos geared towards physics teachers. Here's a sample:

As well, I will be in Toronto tonight shooting a promo for Daily Bread Food Bank's Ultimate Food Challenge! I am pumped!
Talk soon!
Amanda


Use Promo Code 23100120065 on www.flashpointphotobooth.com and receive as much as $100 off of your booking! Remember to mention Hartery Productions!

Challenge - Accepted!

Update Time!

Well, I am wrapping up the videos for the Red Cross. The video shoots went well, but I really want to jazz them up! I'm going to be adding some graphics and doing a voice over myself, which I believe will really add a more professional look.

 I also finished the promo for CBI Health Group's Hustle for Hunger, which was shown on Rogers TV in the Toronto area. I went to tape the run in April, which was a fantastic event :) Thanks to CBI for the fancy hotel room at the Old Mill!

 Other than that, wedding season is coming up. I am still available for booking, so please feel free to send the dates along! I will also be making the move back to Woodstock as of June 1st - Can't wait to get into my new apartment! :) Talk soon!

Amanda


Use Promo Code 23100120065 on www.flashpointphotobooth.com and receive as much as $100 off of your booking! Remember to mention Hartery Productions!

Social Media in the News

I'd like to take a bit of a break from tooting my own horn for once and discuss videos in social media. I'm sure everyone has been swept up in the Invisible Children's campaign - Stop Kony - about making the most wanted man in the world known. If you haven't seen the video, it is here:



Personally, I give all the credit to the Invisible Children campaign - I think they did a great job with the video and it did what it was set out to do - get people interested. I mean, it has 71 million views, which I'm sure has brought them some revenue.

However, a lot of information has come to light that compromises the video. I happen to like this video, as it doesn't coerce you into believing his opinion:



I thoroughly believe that people need to make their own opinion on the situation at hand. Invisible Children has achieved their goal of making the project known to a wide audience. They may have some questionable business practices, but that does not mean that their mission to stop Kony will not happen. I think the audience who has seen the video will not only be looking at Invisible Children, but at many other non-profit organizations aiding Uganda and see where they can donate. This video will help the cause in some way.

Something that shocked me is how fast it was spreading - it proves that society as a whole thinks that it is a good cause. On the other hand, it definitely shows how much people are using social media as a tool. It is great for a cause like this, but what if this got into the wrong hands? What happens if the wrong information was portrayed, and it fueled a different kind of event, like a war? Hmm... I wonder if this sounds like the broadcasting we're watching on television, funded by the government in most cases, and showing a one sided opinion of an event?

Make sure you learn the facts and make your own opinion about a cause before you blindly act.

Getting Motivated

I think this month for me was getting back to balance. I feel like I'm back in the groove of things and now am demanding more and more work. I'm finding the more I sit, the more I keep thinking about what I could be doing with my time. So, what did I do? I got back to the gym, I started editing those forever projects, and thinking about projects I really WANTED to do, not things I had to do.

Some ideas I want to try is working on more creative shots - just simply taking my camera out on the town and getting some cool city shots of winter. I might have to do this soon before everything melts! As well, I want to try my hand at making some more basic Youtube videos. Make some shorts about a subject, and place them online. Maybe set up my camera in the car and have a look at the shots it gets as I drive around. We'll see.

I had an interesting talk with Willow Creek in Cambridge - it was great to sit down and talk business with someone who understands where I am and what I want to accomplish. They gave me a lot of food for thought, which I have been mulling over since we chatted. Mainly, the thing I am noticing is I need to get my butt into gear and start focusing on my business plan. I have a good chunk of this done, but the projections is what really messes me up. Time to go to the Small Business Centre downtown.

Anyway, CBI Health Group along with Daily Food Bank out of Toronto will be releasing a promo I did for them shortly. I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks! I'll be sure to post it once it's public.

All the best!

Amanda



Use Promo Code 23100120065 on www.flashpointphotobooth.com and receive as much as $100 off of your booking! Remember to mention Hartery Productions!

Ramping Back Up!

Back from vacation and feeling well rested! Niagara Falls is so much better in the winter, though there is hardly no one around. However, I don't understand the obsession with slot machines! I lost $15 in 15 mins and that was the end of that. :P

6 bookings in a month! That's insane! I also have another inquiry about a wedding in Owen Sound. If anyone is interested in taking this, it would be much appreciated. Travel time is paid for as well, if there is any question about it. I have a wedding the next morning and wouldn't be able to drive back in time.

As well, I have another video to show you - I worked on a video with my day job that has made it to Youtube. Check it out!



I hope everyone is enjoying the warm temperatures!

Amanda


Use Promo Code 23100120065 on www.flashpointphotobooth.com and receive as much as $100 off of your booking! Remember to mention Hartery Productions!

January - A Reflection of the Year to Come?

The year is just starting up and already I am starting to get booked. Last year at this time, I had 2 weddings booked for the upcoming summer. This year - I have 5. Thanks to The Wedding Ring and Upcoming Wedding Shows for all the business :) I can't believe I am still getting calls from wedding shows I went to months ago!

Next month comes crunch time - taxes. I wish the whole process was just as simple as plunking in what I own and it magically comes out with a number I'll get back! This past year was a big year for buying equipment (a new editing system as my computer crashed, my own microphones as opposed to a rental, buying more tapes than I can count, and not to mention a new car) and I am hoping this will turn into a great return for me.

Apart from that, all I am thinking about is what I will do this year. Should I take vacation? So far I will be going to Newfoundland in August - to shoot a wedding no less - and I am hoping for a vacation to Vegas in April :) We'll see if it all pans out.

Coming up this week, I have an interview with Willow Creek Studios - another wedding videography company - to talk about working on videos with them. I am so excited for this! I have envied their videos since I was in school, and it would be great to be able to shoot and edit for them. As well, I am in talks with The Black Walnut Club to shoot their open mic nights once a month. Finally, there is the promotional video for the Black Forest Inn, which I have to figure out how to convert some files.

But what I'm looking forward to - taking a mini-vacation later this week to Niagara Falls with someone special :)

See you all soon!

Amanda



Use Promo Code 23100120065 on www.flashpointphotobooth.com and receive as much as $100 off of your booking! Remember to mention Hartery Productions!

Early Bird Gets the Worm - We will see!

Last weekend was unbelievably busy! I couldn't believe how great The Wedding Ring's Bridal Expo 2012 went.I received over 60 e-mails from people who were generally interested in a videographer - about 6 times as many as I would normally get. As well, I had the opportunity to meet some great vendors - Willow Creek, Couture Threads, Purple Door Photography, Alicia Riley Photography (great booth design!), and Moonseed Films to name a few. I was so happy that I got to participate!

So far, I have received a few responses, including an inquiry about going to Newfoundland to do some videos :) I couldn't be more excited. With 3 bookings already lined up, I would imagine I will be booked up soon. Let me know if you need anything!

Other work on my plate includes editing a promo together for the Black Forest Inn and getting everything together for dreaded tax time :P

I have a project for people - if you have any ideas for something I could do with my booth, it would be much appreciated! Flowers aren't really original, and I know I need a new sign, but I'm looking for wow factor here and I'm drawing a blank. Feel free to let me know!

Talk soon!

Amanda