My name is John Morelli, and I have been been a professional videographer since 1984, shooting close to 3,000 weddings. With a background in photography since high school and a degree from New York University film school, I bring a photographer’s aesthetic to my work. I believe that beautiful lighting and framing are essential to any photograph or film, and my work has earned a reputation for incorporating these elements.

In my 25-plus years as a wedding videographer, I have developed a unique personal style and a strong sense of what clients want. I consider it a privilege to be part of a milestone in a couple’s life and a great honor when I’m chosen to capture such an important day. Please read on to learn more about me and my work.

Professional cinematographers have always been a major inspiration for me, and  I almost always shoot on a tripod. This adds an unparalleled professionalism, producing rock-steady images compared to hand-held shooting. When a tripod isn't practical, I useother camera-stabilizing tricks and techniques. Using these stabilization techniques, along with capturing audio with multiple microphones and separate digital audio recorders, to using soft, diffused lighting, to shooting lots of telephoto footage, I am able to create a cinematic look to my work.  

In addition to using state-of-the-art equipment and hardware, I bring to each project a heightened sensibility for finding the emotion in a situation. I use tasteful close-ups, sweeping camera moves, the right lighting, and a sense of when to give someone their space to capture the perfect fleeting moment,  whether it's a groom dipping his bride or a tear falling down a father's face.

One of my goals when shooting a wedding is to show every guest, which can be a challenge. To make certain we capture each guest on film, along with all the action, we use two cameras simultaneously for the Ceremony, First Dance and Toast. That second camera serves as a “second unit,’’ filling in the areas where I am not and ensuring full coverage of the dancing and all the guests.

My two signature pieces are the "Getting Ready" sequence and the "Recap." The Getting Ready sequence is shot in a different style from the rest of the wedding. It is slightly more from-the-hip, not as structured, definitely no tripod and often a little tongue-in-cheek. I capture the excitement and the humor surrounding the chaos of that process.
My Recap includes the best shots from the wedding, incorporating techniques like slow motion and different tints, including black and white or sepia, all put to your choice of music. I look for moments that show the best emotion and expressions of the bride and groom.

Your finished video is a sophisticated, professionally edited version of everything that happened at your wedding, lasting about 90 minutes to two hours.
 
I often hear a bride say that "it was all a blur" or "it went by so fast," and how grateful she is to have this keepsake that allows her to view all the wonderful moments she missed and relive the others. Consider your wedding video a "family record" to share with relatives and friends down the line. Years from now, you and your children will be thrilled to be able to sit down and watch your wedding -- scene by scene -- all over again.