The Truth About Success - Its not what you think...

[@journeyhomefilms6416]

Thank you so much for sharing David :) The inner critic has been really bad recently and its great to hear about the humble beginnings and pain that has led the shining peaks. I loved your line "Just keep focusing on serving your couples to the best of your ability". I was feeling super anxious heading into a wedding about a month ago but I remembered what you said and whoa... it was so freeing having a pure aim for the day. I just kept thinking. Do your job. Be prepared. Serve the couple. Use me Lord.

[@Forestryfilms]

Dude!! You are 100% right. Just keep focusing on serving the couple and everything will fall into place! So glad this helped to remind you!

[@MarissaMorrisonPhotography]

Thank you so much for that video! We have a wedding photo/video company named Mon Soleil in the very early stages of producing KZbin content but your channel and company has always been an inspiration for me. For us success has came when we have consistently put in the work day in a day out... with patience it starts to pay off. So yes very similar things!

[@Forestryfilms]

You guys are awesome!! So glad this video helped to encourage you!

[@whoismatt]

Yesss! The jean jacket is back! 😁😁😁

[@Forestryfilms]

With great power comes great responsibility ;)

[@azuldreammedia4218]

Thank you. I really needed to hear this.

[@Forestryfilms]

So glad!!!

[@silaszindel8113]

Thanks a lot for your tips. I really adore your films! I just filmed my first weddding and it turned out...ok. I mean when I see films like yours, I do get really discouraged but motivated at the same time. But I also have to tell myself that it's ok. I give my best with the gear and skills I have at this point. Still it's a very steep and hard climp to the top.

[@Forestryfilms]

Dude that's awesome that you filmed your first wedding!! Keep at it! The most important thing you can do is not give up. You will get better :) So glad this video could encourage you!

[@silaszindel8113]

Thanks man! I'll definitely keep watching your films and tutorials. I can learn a lot of them! It needs time but just as you said, I'll keep doing it even if it might suck at the beginning.

[@MichelleCoxPhotography]

So true..just hard work. These days, especially with the way the internet is, the competition game is really rough now............. Darn social media...

[@Forestryfilms]

So true!! Although it is really rad to see so many new people getting into the game :)

[@lindadahlqvist]

Thank you!

[@Forestryfilms]

Wohoo!! So glad!

[@WeddingRaja]

Thanks, this video is just what we needed right now. I'm currently struggling to keep the team motivated.

[@Forestryfilms]

Awesome!! So glad it helped!

[@wandererfam766]

I'm actually just looking to begin this sort of business. I built a successful company as a sign language interpreter and then invested money into a franchise company thats doing really well but I'm not enjoying the industry im in. I have been editing videos as a hobby since computers became a thing, I love doing it and used to spend hours editing videos after school and now I edit videos of family holidays etc. Watching your videos has really inspired me to go and do something I'd love to do... But i have 2 young children so I know it will be really hard to invest the time and still be with them as much as I'd like to but hopefully not impossible? My partner and I would like to try and work together doing it. I just really hope we won't completely become a failure at it!

[@Forestryfilms]

You guys are awesome!! Love that you have a passion for video! The best advice I can give is just to get after it! I see so many people never get into video because they are scared of failing but the truth is failure is always a necessary path to success. Just go after it make mistakes learn from them and keep going :D Can't wait to see what you two create!

[@wandererfam766]

Thanks so much, this means so much to us! We will owe it to you guys, honestly, you are what inspired us to make a real change to our lives that is going to make a huge difference. When we stand back in 10 years and look out our empire, no matter how big or how small it is, there will a brick in the empire we owe to you for inspiring us to build it! Thank you

[@Forestryfilms]

You guy's are amazing! Can't wait to see what you make!

[@jeremyfoster8726]

Great advice. I got my first gig in Dec 2016. I've booked 48 weddings this year. Price is gradually increasing. You guys are killing it. My struggle? Getting couples to invest in a second shooter. Most of my videos were only filmed by me and so people think "oh we're fine with just you!"

[@Forestryfilms]

Dude 48 weddings that is awesome!! Totally get the struggle with the second shooter. What has worked for us is just including one in our packages and pricing accordingly :)

[@jeremyfoster8726]

Thanks man. I took your online workshop last year. Was helpful. Raised my prices 1k since and doubled bookings.

[@Forestryfilms]

DUDE!!! That is AMAZING! So proud of you!

[@jeremyfoster8726]

Forestry Films - Wedding Video and Wedding Photography I have so far to go but feel I’ve made quite a lot of ground in a brief period of time !

[@sossoft]

I think that when you offer packages that are so expensive, you must be thinking quite high of yourself no matter how big or small your following is. What I noticed through my research is that in US, especially west coast photographers/videographers are quite self conscious. Many could use the tips in this video. However, many are not transparents, they don’t share their prices they love to call investments so they can change the prices depending on who they talk to. They constantly compare themselves with others, live for that feature on big blogs or magazine and probably spend a lot of time thinking of their next most popular and clever post. It was hard to find Christian vendors who are first truly Christians, genuine, excellent work ethic and quality and fair priced.

[@Forestryfilms]

You're right finding quality people is always hard but they do exist :)

[@dashaunwatson5166]

I primarily did 2nd shooter up until October of last year but now I'm going solo so hard part is getting the first few clients for that portfolio, I'm optimistic I can get the ball rolling once that happens.

[@Forestryfilms]

Dashaun! Totally understand. Doing those first few weddings and getting a portfolio started is the hardest part. Just stay disciplined and get those first weddings done and you will start to see the ball move :)

[@TheMidnightProjectWeddings]

I feel like the inquiries just don’t come in and when they do, they are not good responders. I currently only have one wedding for 2019 with a goal of 20 and 12 for this year with a goal of 15. I’ve been attending networking events and have reached out to past photographers and couples as well

[@TheMidnightProjectWeddings]

I also have put up new and better work and did my rebrand. (I’ve had couples be ok with my prices so far)

[@Forestryfilms]

Hey man!! So great to see you on here! Totally feel your pain. Dont give up! Just keep putting in the work it WILL pay off :) I'd suggest trying to do some super rad free shoots in the mean time that way you can stay busy and keep up your craft.

[@Forestryfilms]

Hey, guys hope you enjoyed this video! What are your thoughts when it comes to success? Have you noticed similar things?

[@benarnoux]

Thanks for the encouragement. My first and only wedding film kicked my butt. I learned a lot though.

[@Forestryfilms]

Oh man totally know how that is! So glad I was able to offer some encouragement!

[@madelinewalczak6048]

How did you get started with Wedding Filmmaking?

[@Forestryfilms]

My first wedding ever I 3rd shot for a guy from my church. He was the one who actually taught me all the ropes of the industry :) I did that for about a year and saved all the money from those shoots to buy my first camera and basic gear set up. Then slowly started to build my company :)

[@chloestubblebine5241]

How many hours does it take you to edit one film and how many weddings do you typically book in a year? I am new to the industry and I may have made the mistake of over booking way too many weddings and now I have so much editing to do! It takes me quite a while to edit each film and while I love what I do, I'm afraid of getting worn out and therefore not putting my all into each film because of stress and deadlines. Because each and every one of your films makes me want to cry...it is THAT GOOD!, I was just wondering how much you typically take on while still being able to create beautiful art.

[@Forestryfilms]

Great question Chloe! We usually tell couples its between 4-6 months from their wedding. This allows us to make the best film possible!

[@joshrodriguez5992]

Hey there! I feel I struggle with keeping my couples as enthusiastic about Video as they are about Photo on the day of. Curious, how do you balance the photographers creative time with the Bride and Groom with the video ideas you might want to implement?

[@Forestryfilms]

Hey man, that is a real struggle! I found the absolute best way to solve this is doing a Skype meeting with the couple 30 days before. This is where you get to know the couple and they get to know you. This is also where you share your creative vision for their day. What happens is they learn to trust you and get excited about what you are going to be creating for them. Then on the wedding day they are happy to give you the time that you need :)

[@nofollow5424]

Thanks for sharing, that’s definitely encouraging to hear your story from where you started up until now. I e been filming off and in for about 10 years now. Did you always want to create your films the way you do now or did you start off as montage style? What other companies do you get inspired by? Seeing your work has encouraged me to want to take the next step to investing in new equipment. Any thoughts if you had to choose one all around lens for your C100 mark ii to start off with and also your favorite lens for that camera as well? Trying to decide on staying with in my budget and working with one all around lens and I’m gonna go with the 18-105 Sony for the a6500.

[@Forestryfilms]

Great to hear from you!!!! Our films have always been changing but I'd say the core is still the same. That core is always wanted to tell an authentic story full on emotion and heart. Man there are so many companies that inspire me but I'd say the one that really gave me the biggest push when I was starting out was Still Motion. Best all around lens for the c100 Mark 2 would be this guy: amzn.to/2gXPv1Y. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment :)

[@jomo50236]

Come do a workshop on the East Coast!!!!

[@Forestryfilms]

Oh man we would LOVE too!!!!

[@jomo50236]

Bolt House Treehouses in Charleston, SC weekend retreat for creators. Just set the date bro lol!!!

[@Forestryfilms]

Dude that sounds Epic! Def been thinking about doing a private workshop that place sounds amazing!

[@jomo50236]

Forestry Films - Wedding Video and Wedding Photography let us know! We have a great connection with the owners. He’s the bass player for a band called need to breathe

[@jeremyfoster8726]

Also did you struggle to discipline yourself to set a routine of 40 hours plus per week? I find that I let my new freedom get squandered on occasion

[@Forestryfilms]

I absolutely struggled! haha. That was probably the hardest part of starting my own business. The best way I've found to combat that is deciding what I am going to do the next day the night before as well as having set work hours even though I am working from home :)