Cinematic Drone Video for Weddings

by Dan Dugan


Cinematic Aerial drone wedding video from Dugan Studios

Aerial drone video and photography will add a beautiful cinematic aspect to your wedding highlight film. An aerial view of your wedding venue will set the scene and location of your wedding. My favorite drone shots are closer to the ground and I love when a shot starts off looking looking normal but then transitions into an aerial view.

Dugan Studios partners with a local FAA Certified drone pilot to film your wedding.

Drone


by Dan Dugan


Newport Aquarium Offers Unique Locations for Weddings and Receptions

Exterior of Newport Aquarium

Newport Aquarium

Dugan Studios was recently at The Newport Aquarium for David and Shannon’s wedding ceremony and reception. David and Shannon chose us for their photography, video, and drone/aerial coverage of their wedding.

The Aquarium is a beautiful location for a wedding. Their marriage ceremony was in the Shark Ray Bay Theater which features a 16x20’ shark tank in the background. Their reception was in the Riverside Room which offers a panoramic view of the Cincinnati skyline. The Aquarium closed to the public at 5pm giving the wedding guests exclusive access to the exhibits before and after the ceremony. We also had a front row seat for the Cincinnati Reds end of season fireworks display.

For more information contact Liz Perkins. Or Visit the Aquariums website. https://www.newportaquarium.com/

wedding ceremony at newport aquarium

Shark Ray Bay Theatre

coral reef tunnel

Coral Reef Tunnel

newport aquarium wedding reception

Riverside Room

Wedding Fireworks

Cincinnati Reds Fireworks Display



Receptions Event Center is Elegant Location for a Wedding Celebration

by Dan Dugan


Jeff and Shawna celebrated their marriage ceremony and reception at the Receptions Event Center located in Fairfield Ohio. Receptions also has a location in Erlanger Kentucky.

receptions event center wedding ceremony and reception venue

Receptions Fairfield

Jeff and Shawna’s marriage ceremony was in the elegantly decorated State Room and their reception was in the spacious Fairfield Room. Their wedding day was a beautiful event celebrating their family and friends. The banquet staff are friendly, courteous, and professional. Shawna prepared for her wedding day in the spacious Bridal Suite while Jeff and the guys chilled out in the Ohio room.

The interior provides some great backdrops for photography and video. Just outside of the main entrance is a great area for natural light photos. Village Green Park is just a 10 minute drive for another beautiful location for photos.

For more information visit the Receptions website, https://receptionsinc.com/

Receptions Fairfield bridal suite

Bridal Suite

receptions event center fairfield ohio

Outside of the main entrance

state room at receptions faifield

State Room

fairfield room at receptins event center

Fairfield Room

village green park fairfield ohio

Village Green Park


Historic Downtown Hotel is Great Location for Weddings

by Dan Dugan


Dan and Tara celebrated their marriage ceremony and wedding reception at the Hilton Netherland Plaza Hotel in downtown Cincinnati. This French Art Deco Hotel is a beautiful location for a wedding and is a National Historic Landmark.

Hilton Netherland Plaza Hotel

The staff from the valet to the front desk to the banquet staff are friendly, courteous, and helpful. The suites where the bride and groom dressed for their day are spacious and well attended. There are many great locations within the hotel for photography and video and you are just one block from Fountain Square.

The romantic Continental Room was the location for Dan and Tara’s marriage ceremony. The Hall of Mirrors, which was modeled after the Palace of Versailles in France, was the location for their reception. Dan and Tara’s wedding was beautiful, elegant, and a great time. The Hilton Netherland Plaza is a great place to celebrate your marriage ceremony and host your guests.

For more information contact sales manager Elizabeth Bowker, 513-665-2372. elizabeth.bowker@hilton.com elizabeth.bowker@hilton.com

You can watch Dan and Tara’s Highlight Film Music Video on our Wedding Video page. https://duganstudios.com/video

bride and groom photo on stairs of the lobby to netherland plaza hotel

Netherland Plaza Stairs to Lobby

marriage ceremony at the continental room at hilton netherland plaza hotel

Continental Ballroom

wedding reception at the hall of mirrors at hilton netherland plaza hotel

Hall of Mirrors


Clothing Guideline for Outdoor Family and Engagement Photos

by Dan Dugan


A common error in family and engagement portrait photos is a poor choice in clothing. This is not fashion photography, we want to concentrate on the people in the photo and not the clothes. Many people make the mistake of wanting to wear their favorite outfit, which is usually brightly colored with stripes and patterns. When people look at your photo we want them to concentrate on you, not on what you are wearing. 

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Brides Cannot Afford A $500.00 Wedding Photographer

by Dan Dugan


Why do some wedding photographers charge $500 and some charge $2,500 to $5,000? The difference is amateur vs professional.

 

I have recently heard four different devastating stories from people who hired a photographer for their wedding for $500 or less with terrible results. In one case, I was approached at the reception of a recent wedding by one of the groomsmen. My two assistants and I had been with the wedding party since 11 a.m. that day. This is what he said to me: “You and your crew did a great job today; we all had so much fun. I can tell that the photos are going to be great because you knew what you are doing and had lighting equipment. My wife and I were married a year ago and we hired a friend of hers from high school who is now doing photography for $500, and the photos are terrible. We wasted our money, we don’t like any of our photos, and we are still upset.”

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Tips For Finding A DJ for Your Reception

by Dan Dugan


Understand what you are really hiring. Many couples rightfully assume that they are simply hiring someone to play music at their wedding for a few hours. In the wedding business the DJ is way more than the music. You are hiring someone to be on a live microphone in front of all of your friends and family. You are hiring a sound system that can enhance your event or ruin it. You are hiring someone to help manage the flow of your event and keep things moving. You are hiring ideas to personalize, customize and make your day unique and fun. Many times your DJ is even your lighting person as well.

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How to Find A Professional Photographer and Videographer

by Dan Dugan


Finding a good photographer and or a good videographer can be stressful for a bride and groom. The wedding photography market is flooded with amateurs claiming to be professional. They have one decent camera, no lighting equipment, and no formal training. By comparison there are not that many true professional wedding photographers out there. The same holds true for wedding video. The equipment necessary to be a true professional photographer or videographer is very expensive. A professional will arrive at your wedding with backup equipment. An amateur will not. Cameras and microphones do fail. Without backup equipment there will be no photos or video. All photos and video are recorded to SDHC cards in the camera. A professional will record to two separate cards simultaneously creating an automatic backup. All photos and videos are edited on a computer and hard drives do fail. A professional will backup their hard drives. Here are my tips to guide you through the process of finding a good reasonably priced photographer and videographer.

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