High Definition Video 4.9 out of 5.0 5.0/5.0
Timeless Wedding Films that leave a legacy of lives well lived.
PO Box 303208, St Thomas, VI 00801
Check Availability
340-777-1000
  Profile   Reviews (24)   Website   Blog    

Please let this vendor know that you found them on WeddingWire!
Flag As Inappropriate

Business Info
Services: PhotographyVideography
Established: 2006
Employees: 2
Accepts:

 
About
High Definition Video LLC aka HiDefVI.com is a wedding and event videography company owned by a husband and wife team based in the US Virgin Islands.   Based on St. Thomas we shoot many wedding videos on St. John or weddings on Water Island.  We approach wedding videography from a reciprocal perspective.  Filming a wedding like it was our family for whom we are creating an invaluable record.  Doing so in a creative manner that is more than special effects and color tricks.  A well shot video will be viewed for generations each time bringing the viewer to a very special time and place.  Learning classic camera techniques and minimizing anything that may date your wedding film is how we deliver what our clients call "spectacular, classy, amazing, incredible...".  Destination weddings are an incredible win win situation for most.  Combine a beautiful location with your loved ones in a calm outside the box enviroment, and affordability.  What more could you want.  If there are some who can't make the flight have a small party at home and show them the video.  Destination weddings are really the way to go.  We film your wedding movie with finesse.  Please read our reviews here to hear it from happy clients.  

Feel free to ask us any questions at all.  We are very approachable and will gladly help with anything regarding your event.

Sincerely,

Mike & Connie Williams
www.HiDefVI.com
340.777.1000 

Portfolio 

Endorsements
High Definition Video is absolutely the best. As a colleague and one of their clients I am consistently amazed by the level of work that is produced by Mike and his team. The cinematic quality they offer is on par with that of Hollywood. I highly recommend High Definition Video for any event and I look forward to working with Mike again in the near future.
Hi-Def is the best! They pay close attention to all the details and all the important things like providing your video with the best sound and picture as well as capturing every single moment. You won't miss a thing with the way they record every moment. It's no wonder that they are at almost 99% of most of the weddings I do. They are highly in demand, so book them as soon as you can!
High Definition Video is the ONLY choice when it comes to Virgin Islands wedding videography! Their work is simply amazing, timeless and classic! Your wedding video will be remembered and cherished for years to come!
I can not say enough good things about High Definition Video. They are our number one recommended videography company for St. Thomas & St. John. Mike & Connie are so warm & relaxing for our couples and the videos they produce are beyond beautiful. Video is such an important part of a destionation wedding, a very valuable keepsake to take home to friends & family that could not attend. High Definition understands this importance and go above and beyond to preserve these special moments.
Hi Def video is by far the best video company on the island. They capture the moments that might have ordinarily gone unnoticed as they shoot with a photojournalistic style. The Ritz Carlton uses them exclusively, so that should tell you something. They are very unobtrusive as most couples don't even know they are there. The montages and music they add are just amazing as well. You will not be disappointed, plus Mike and Connie are two of the nicest people you will ever want to meet.
Mike is a real video artist. I've worked with dozens of videographers all around the US and I never worry when I see Mike on the scene at a wedding. He is energetic and excited about his work. He's fun to work with, but stays in the background so you don't notice him at your event. He creates the best wedding highlights I've ever seen. His creative eye is very similar to that of a still photographer - and it's awesome! Want a cutting-edge, Hollywood-style wedding DVD? If you're getting married anywhere in the Virgin Islands - you must get in touch with Mike.
Island Style Weddings works exclusively with High Definition Video- Mike and Connie are creating exceptional lasting memories for my clients- I highly recommend including a wedding video in your wedding budget. High Definition Video have raised the bar for videography! don't miss this once in a life time opportunity to ensure that your day is captured forever!

Frequently Asked Questions for Photography
What primary photographic style do you identify with?
Contemporary, Photojournalism
 
What do your packages include?
Albums, Digital Files, High Resolution Images, Proof CD of All Images, Video Montage
 
Do you have liability insurance?
Yes
 
Do you offer special techniques such as hand-coloring or toning?
It's very possible that you have spent time with a photo editing program. Digital images can be modified in unbelievable ways. Making color to sepia, black & white, soft focus, sharpen, etc. Just about anything with the original image can be created. See our samples.
 
Do you have experience shooting in various lighting situations?
Having worked with hundreds of couples we have experienced every type of weather and lighting.
 
Is your media preference film or digital?
Digital
 
How many photographers do you work with?
All the best photographers in the field.
 
Do you guarantee your presence at the actual event?
Yes
 
Do you sometimes book yourself for more than one event in a day? Weekend?
Yes. We normally book on an hourly basis since weddings in our area are frequently a few hours or less long. This allows events to be booked on the same day without scheduling conflicts.
 
Do you have a replacement photographer in case you become unavailable on the day of the event?
Yes
 
What kind of equipment do you typically bring with you on the day-of?
State of the art.
 
Do you bring back-up equipment to the event in case of malfunction?
Yes
 
Do you charge hourly or full day?
Both
 
Are you available to shoot extra hours? If yes, how much do you charge for extra hours?
Yes. $250 per hour
 
What is your policy on taking breaks? If you require a meal break, do you require that the client provide your meal?
Depends on if we are at an all day event we may take a break during dinner while your guests are eating. Not long and likely will have our camera very near by.
 
Do you charge for travel?
Not unless unusually time consuming.
 
How soon after the event are the proofs ready for viewing?
This depends
 
In what format are the initial proofs offered?
It varies but DVD-R
 
How long can the client keep the proofs?
For ever
 
Do you retain the copyright for the photos?
No
 
Do you reserve the right to publish the photos?
If the couple agrees
 
Do you provide the digital files and/or negatives (or copies of the negatives) to the client?
Yes the full rez files
 
Will images be available for viewing online?
Yes
 
What kind of albums do you offer?
Various
 
When will the client get the final album?
Depends on various factors please inquire

Frequently Asked Questions for Videography
What primary style do you identify with?
Cinematic, Documentary, Storytelling
 
What do your packages include?
Ceremony, Edited Video, Montage - Childhood / Dating, Montage - Music Dubbed Over, Montage - Wedding Highlights, Multiple Videographers, Multple Cameras, Online Highlight Films, Pre-Ceremony, Reception, Rehearsal Dinner, Same Day Edit Video
 
What formats can the final video be in?
Blu-Ray, DVD
 
Do you have liability insurance?
Yes
 
Are you a commercial studio or a home-based business?
We are a home-based business since we like being around our children :)
 
What types, such as unedited footage or special effects, of videography do you offer?
We like to offer what the clients request. We have shot weddings over multliple days and locations and delivered just the unedited footage or tightly edited versions of the event. There are many alternatives to choose from. Multiple cameras are available for maximum production value.
 
Describe any special editing services you offer:
We use Final Cut Studio that provides many choices for special effects including black and white, color correction etc. Please inquire about the term special effects as it encompasses a broad range meaning. In short if you want special effects we can do it, but what that means it up to you :)
 
Do you have lighting equipment to accommodate a more dimly-lit event?
Yes. We currnetly own the most cutting edge FULL HD camera gear that is the leader in low light performance. We DO NOT need super bright lights to shoot your event. I like to think that we are vitually unnoticed during events.
 
How many videographers do you work with?
We work with all of the videographer that we would trust to shoot our own wedding. It really makes us feel bad when someone tells us their photographer/videographer did a bad job. These are truly once in a lifetime events. Don't forgo a good videographer, it's the real record of your event. They capture the sounds and motion of your day.
 
Does the client get to meet the videographers before the event?
This depends on wether the bride and/or groom come the the USVI for a consultation or site visit. I will gladly meet ahead of time if I have the time slot open.
 
Do you guarantee your presence at the actual event?
Yes
 
Do you book yourself for more than one event in a day? Weekend?
Yes if as long as they don't overlap time wise.
 
Do you have a replacement videographer in case you become unavailable on the event day?
Yes.
 
What kind of equipment do you typically bring with you on the day-of?
We bring cutting edge HD cameras ( NOT the big shoulder mount things), high quality wireless microphones ( small tie mics) and other discreet yet high quality equipment. I bring one bag on 4-6 hour events.
 
Do you bring backup equipment to the event in case of malfunction?
Yes
 
What is your policy on taking breaks? If you require a meal break, do you require that the client provide your meal?
What is a break? The one time where I may put the camera down for 10 -15 min is on all events over 4 hours during dinner....( if is nothing happening...etc. ) set in stone breaks are non-existent.
 
Do you charge overtime?
NO. If you buy three hours then I shoot for three hours. Set up and break down are not inside your three hours. If you would like to buy more time the day or night of your event (which happens frequently) and I will gladly accommodate.
 
Do you give access to your raw footage?
There is a very reasonable raw footage rate dependig on how long I shoot on site since the more footage I gather the more studio time is involved with handing over the raw footage. We encourage couples to get the raw footage DATA in it's uncompressed form for the best archive possible. We include the project files as well in order for fast replication of the original edit if so desired as well as modification to include future family footage. The project files are Final Cut Pro project files.
 
Do you reserve the right to use the video in the future for promotions, contents, etc.?
This depends. I always ask the couple if I decided to use their event as a demo or for contests etc. I respect the desires of my clients completely.
 
Is the client involved in the editing process? If so, how much input does the client have in editing?
This is a conundrum for any wedding videography studio. We try to remain as flexible as possible in input from brides but the packages we offer contain blocks of studio time proportionate to the on location time.
 
How long does it take for the client to get the final video?
We do have expedite services available. Most of the time it take about 6-8 weeks to deliver a final edit on DVD.

Additional Questions and Answers
Our belief is that you should let the event happen and capture the moments as they occur.  Natural moments captured by the camera are truly magic.  We make a concerted effort to have your family and guests feel comfortable with our presence.  It doesn't matter wether it's your photographer/videographer neither should be a feature of your event.

The best way to do this is use a blend of good character and non-interaction depending on what feedback you get from certain personalities.  It is hard to convey via the written word what our presence is like during your wedding and reception.  Our positive reviews really tell the story.  Please feel free to make contact regardless of where you are in the planning process to discuss how you would like to capture your event.  We are super approachable and easy to talk to.

Thanks for reading and we hope you have a fantastic life together!

Mike & Connie Williams
www.HiDefVI.com
340.777.1000 


Tips and Advice
I am going out on a limb here in hopes you won't shoot the messenger    :)

I think the best advice came from a fellow professional. It echos what anyone put in stead of making your event the best possible, will agree with.

"Do what you can to help your event go smoothly all the way up until the day before, then that morning, just LET GO!  LET GO....  rinse and repeat.  Nothing you do will change very much other than your blood pressure (and the look on your face for pictures) on the day of your wedding.  Please do this for the sake of your husband/wife to be as well as your family and friends.  Wake up that morning and just enjoy everything.  Even the idiosyncrasies that can and will occur.  A happy and in love couple are truly a joy to behold.  We live in a high tension world and seeing two humans so in love and connected that they are vowing to spend the rest of their lives together it is really a site to behold.

Does is matter that the isle runner isn't set up exactly two hours before the ceremony?  Not really.  Inform anyone who thrives on drama to please turn it off the day of your wedding or not get you involved.  

Give any formal picture "shot list" to a planner or someone who knows your group so they can help line up the relatives during your pictures.  Imagine yourself barking orders in your wedding gown.....  not pretty.  Be pretty, be relaxed.  The photographer and videographer are both assets that can help in addition to your planner in coordinating big groups for the pictures.  It's all under control.  

A quick note for your "beauty shots".  We shoot video along with your photographer while they take photos of you two around your location.  It helps to get the best effect if you don't look at your photographer while getting instructed to do poses.  Of course that is unless he/she says look at me.  This helps maintain a natural and candid look in your photos and video.  If you "break from character" in between every shot it takes a few seconds to get back there.  I hope this is understandable. 

I guess the last tip is to forget everything you have learned and go with the flow.  It will be instinct when you need it.

Have a great time during your wedding!  Odds are you won't have another party quite as amazing as this one, let alone in the islands, so soak it up :)

Best Wishes,


Mike & Connie Williams
www.HiDefVI.com
340.77.1000