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
The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland
The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland
Dugan Studios traveled to Ireland for April and Sam’s engagement. It’s great that Sam and April decided to take a professional photographer with them to Ireland for their engagement photos. Actually April is my daughter and we had a family trip to Ireland this past summer. Sam decided to propose marriage to April while we were in Ireland and chose The Cliffs at Moher as the location to surprise April. She said yes.
I call it the Emerald Engagement. The ring is an Emerald surrounded by diamonds and Ireland is the Emerald Isle.
Sam Proposes at The Cliffs of Moher.
The Emerald engagement ring.
The family. the Dugan’s, the McVey’s, the Gaffney’s, the Callahan’s, and the future Panzarella’s.
The Place at 534.
The Place at 534.
Deb Baker and I recently travelled to Northeast Ohio in the Youngstown Warren area for the wedding of Makenzie Callahan and Paige Coykendall. Makenzie is my niece.
It’s a great wedding venue located in West Farmington Ohio off of state route 534. The staff are professional, friendly, and great to work with. The food was the best wedding food that I have ever had and I have been to many weddings.
The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was filled with family and friends.
If you’re planning to get married in Northeast Ohio take a look at “The Place at 534”. https://theplaceat534.com/
Drone Photo and video provided by Dennis Fisher of Rapid Aerial Imaging, Dayton Ohio. www.facebook.com/rapiduav/
Paige and Makenzie
Paige and Mackenzie’s wedding party
Sparkler exit
Engagement Photo at Smale Riverfront Park and Roebling Suspension Bridge Cincinnati Ohio
Engagement Photo at Smale Riverfront Park and Roebling Suspension Bridge Cincinnati Ohio
Dugan Studios loves Smale Riverfront Park and the Cincinnati downtown riverfront area for wedding, engagement, and senior photos. You have many different backdrops for photos. Look in one direction and you have a rural setting with trees in the background. Look in another direction and you have an urban feel with the city and stadiums in the background. Start at the Roebling Suspension Bridge and make a loop through the different landscapes, city views, Great American Ball Park, walk through The Banks and the DORA district, and end at The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
Parking is very convenient at the Central Riverfront Garage and Lot E on Mehring way. Try to avoid game days and special events.
Watch Alexander and Brianna’s wedding highlight film which features many scenes from Smale Riverfront Park.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1q1TYc5AK0
In the trees at Smale Riverfront Park downtown Cincinnati Ohio
Wedding photo at Roebling Suspension Bridge downtown Cincinnati Ohio
Engagement photo at The Banks DORA District downtown Cincinnati Ohio
Engagement photo at The Banks DORA District downtown Cincinnati Ohio
Senior photo at The Banks in downtown Cincinnati Ohio
Senior photo at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Cincinnati Ohio
Newport Aquarium Offers Unique Locations for Weddings and Receptions
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/
Shark Ray Bay Theatre
Coral Reef Tunnel
Riverside Room
Cincinnati Reds Fireworks Display
Workshop Attendees and Educators Group Photo
Workshop Attendees and Educators Group Photo
Dugan Studios photographer and videographer Dan Dugan attended a three day workshop in Venice Italy in September.
Castle Ceconi in the Valley of Pielungo
I have many years of experience as both a photographer and videographer but as a creative professional it is very important to me to seek out and learn from the top photographers and videographers in the world. This past September I traveled to Italy to attend The Pursuit of Excellence photography workshop at the Ciconi Castle in the heart of the Dolomites, Northern Italy, in the Valley of Pielungo. The instructors were four of the top photographers in the world. Fashion photographer Lindsay Adler, editorial portrait photographer Chris Knight, and wedding photographers Jerry & Melissa Ghionis.
Dan Dugan, Melissa Ghionis, and Jerry Ghionis in Italy
I had a great time traveling to Europe. It was a great learning experience not only from the instructors but also my fellow photographers who attended. The workshop was sponsored by Graphi Studio, an Italian company that makes wedding albums and fine art photo prints. Graphi Studio also owns the castle.
Jerry Ghionis posing a model
Photo of Elisabetta Rossi by Dan Dugan
Bryton Barn in Dry Ridge Kentucky
Bryton Barn in Dry Ridge Kentucky
Located close to Cincinnati in Northern Kentucky, Bryton Barn is a great choice for couples wanting a rustic outdoor wedding venue. Dugan Studios was there recently for Tonya and Bryan’s wedding. The owners of the venue met Tonya and Bryan on Saturday morning and basically gave them keys for the day. The tables and chairs were already set but the families worked together to decorate the place.
It is a beautiful setting with rolling hills, a lake, and a walking bridge. It’s a great area for wedding photography and video. The bridal suite is a large room with bright lighting many amenities. The groom’s ready room is a comfortable space for the guys to hangout before the wedding.
For more information visit their Facebook page. https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063630785964
Bridal Suite at Bryton Barn
Outdoor Ceremony Location
Walking Bridge
Manor House Main Entrance
Manor House Main Entrance
Set on 18 acres in Mason, Ohio, The Manor House Event Center offers a variety of beautiful locations for both indoor and outdoor wedding ceremonies. They have several elegant ballrooms for receptions. The sales staff are experienced and gracious. The event staff are professional and courteous. The food is delicious.
With their perennial gardens, gazebos, ponds, fountains and covered verandas, you can find the perfect outdoor spot for your wedding photography and video.
For more information visit their website. https://manorhouseohio.com/weddings/
You can watch Matt and Laurinda’s highlight film here, https://duganstudios.com/video
Manor House Ceremony
Outdoor Garden
Ballroom
Wedding Ceremony at The Bell
Wedding Ceremony at The Bell
Located in OTR, the Over The Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati, The Bell Event Center is a great location for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The former St. Paul’s Church closed in 1970 and became the headquarters of The Verdin Bell company until Christy Cafeo bought the building in 2008. Featuring hand-painted murals, marble, stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, terrazzo flooring, and a cobblestone courtyard, The Bell is an elegant venue for weddings. The event staff are professional and very friendly. The food is delectable.
Dugan Studios has been the photographer and videographer for many weddings at The Bell. The Church Altar setting is perfect for marriage ceremonies and the room is quickly flipped for the reception while wedding guests enjoy cocktails in the courtyard. The interior of the building is a beautiful location for photography and video and you need to just step outside and you are in an urban environment.
Visit The Bell Event Center website for more information. https://belleventcentre.com/
View Alexander and Brianna’s highlight music video on our video page. https://duganstudios.com/video
Alexander and Brianna enter The Bell.
Family Photo
Bride and Groom
Dugan Studios was recently at The View in Mt. Adams for Michael and Hillary’s wedding. Located in the space previously occupied by The Celestial restaurant and operated by Funky’s Catering, The View is a beautiful location for wedding ceremonies and receptions. With three separate spaces that can be combined into one ballroom that provides a skyline view of Cincinnati as a backdrop for your ceremony and reception.
Hillary and her bridesmaids prepared for the day in the bridal suite while Michael and the guys relaxed in a suite at the attached Highland Tower Apartments. There is a great location right outside of the main entrance for photos and video with the Cincinnati skyline as a backdrop. You are also in Mt. Adams with its many beautiful areas for photography.
For more information on The View visit their website, https://theviewmtadams.com/
You can view Michael and Hillary’s highlight film on our Video page. https://duganstudios.com/video
Bridal Suite
The Ballroom
The Ballroom, The Highland Room, and The Hearth Room
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 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/
Bridal Suite
Outside of the main entrance
State Room
Fairfield Room
Village Green Park
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
Netherland Plaza Stairs to Lobby
Continental Ballroom
Hall of Mirrors
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.
Read MoreWhy 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.”
Read MoreUnderstand 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.
Read MoreFinding 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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