Stone Harbor Wedding | Shannon + Chris | Forever Lucky Films

If you lived on the west coast, like I did, you know that a sunny day on the beach is almost a sure bet. Blue skies, some tufts of clouds and a cool Pacific breeze. Like the day was produced in a copy machine. However, if you're from Jersey like I am, you know a cool sunny day like hitting on fifteen; a risky proposition with a big payoff if it works out.

Shannon and Chris' wedding held after labor day when cool beach days happen more often than not. Mother nature parked a system right over the strip of sand over Stone Harbor and Avalon. Not more than two miles to the west on the other side of the bay, the sun was shinning. So that meant the beach wedding was moved to the Stone Harbor Yacht Club where the reception was to take place.

The amazing thing with family and friends, unlike lets say a business meeting, when you move something the crowd moves willingly and happily. The bar opened earlier, reunions happened sooner and the ceremony was lovely and intimate.

Eventually the rain halted and the sun drooped slowly under the clouds. Video is like photography only I shoot 24 pictures every second. And for a few of those seconds I captured my favorite image to date as a wedding videographer. Jauhien Sasnou one the most creative shooters in Philadelphia, set the shot up. You may expect it to be the thumbnail for the video and it is. Check it below.

Dannie + Carlos

Carlos and Dannie were married on the last day of April.  In New Jersey there are ten perfect weather days every year - perfect sun, lazy breeze and no threat of rain.  April 30th was one of the days.    Shooting with me that day was new team member Tom Mattera.   With the highlight video I showcased Tom's keen and eye and experience.  The Oakeside Mansion provided an ideal setting for portraits.  Photography was handled beautifully by Sachi Villareal Photography.  Enjoy!




Dannie + Carlos
Videography: Christopher Rodgers, Tom Mattera Forever Lucky Films
Music: Adele - "Longsong"
Location : The Oakeside Mansion, Bloomfield NJ
Photography: Sachi Villareal Photography

Meagan + Colin

My first wedding was filmed in DC but since then I haven't been down there to visit or film. So now that the Downbeach headquarters has moved south the Washington area is more assessable I'm looking forward to lots more shoots there. Although, I can't imagine too many couples being more welcoming than Meagan and Colin. When Meagan emailed me to let me know that her song she wanted for the highlight video was from the Icelandic band - Sigur Ros I knew it was going to be a good time. I love Sigur Ros and you will too.

Meagan + Colin from J. Christopher Rodgers on Vimeo.

Meagan + Colin

My first wedding was filmed in DC but since then I haven't been down there to visit or film. So now that the Downbeach headquarters has moved south the Washington area is more assessable I'm looking forward to lots more shoots there. Although, I can't imagine too many couples being more welcoming than Meagan and Colin. When Meagan emailed me to let me know that her song she wanted for the highlight video was from the Icelandic band - Sigur Ros I knew it was going to be a good time. I love Sigur Ros and you will too.

Meagan + Colin from J. Christopher Rodgers on Vimeo.

Lindsay + Michael

Lindsay and Michael are maybe the most creative couple I've filmed. They met working on TV and Michael is the artist for a recently launched comic - Feeding Ground. Knowing his love of comics and the theme of his project, I used the Aunt Betty speech for the voice over and The Black Key's - Howin' for You. Enjoy!

Lindsay + Michael from J. Christopher Rodgers on Vimeo.

Lindsay + Michael

Lindsay and Michael are maybe the most creative couple I've filmed. They met working on TV and Michael is the artist for a recently launched comic - Feeding Ground. Knowing his love of comics and the theme of his project, I used the Aunt Betty speech for the voice over and The Black Key's - Howin' for You. Enjoy!

Lindsay + Michael from J. Christopher Rodgers on Vimeo.

Alisa + Brian Part II

With 16 weddings in the last 2 and a half months I haven't had the the time to update blogs but that changes today.

Here is part two of Alisa and Brian's highlight. Turns out I went to college with Alisa and I only realized it through shared friends on facebook. Funny how that works. Her new husband, Brian, was a professional poker player at one point so I went with that and used Ben Lee's Gamble Everything for Love. I always liked the song but it worked for one of my short's - until now.

Again, filmed at Laurita Winery here is Part II.

Alisa + Brian Part II from J. Christopher Rodgers on Vimeo.

Alisa + Brian Part II

With 16 weddings in the last 2 and a half months I haven't had the the time to update blogs but that changes today.

Here is part two of Alisa and Brian's highlight. Turns out I went to college with Alisa and I only realized it through shared friends on facebook. Funny how that works. Her new husband, Brian, was a professional poker player at one point so I went with that and used Ben Lee's Gamble Everything for Love. I always liked the song but it worked for one of my short's - until now.

Again, filmed at Laurita Winery here is Part II.

Alisa + Brian Part II from J. Christopher Rodgers on Vimeo.

Stacee + Jon

Stacee was really excited to have me film her wedding but not as much as I was. Both she and Jon were so much fun and pretty much game for anything. Photography was done by Andy Todes of Andy Todes Photography and I love shooting with him, his work goes well with my style so it's really a seamless day and editing was tough because there were so many ways to go with it. I heard the song "Letters from the Sky" by Civil Twilight a few months ago and new this was a song I'd use, but need really the perfect wedding. To match it. I found it and here it is.

Untitled from J. Christopher Rodgers on Vimeo.

Stacee + Jon

Stacee was really excited to have me film her wedding but not as much as I was. Both she and Jon were so much fun and pretty much game for anything. Photography was done by Andy Todes of Andy Todes Photography and I love shooting with him, his work goes well with my style so it's really a seamless day and editing was tough because there were so many ways to go with it. I heard the song "Letters from the Sky" by Civil Twilight a few months ago and new this was a song I'd use, but need really the perfect wedding. To match it. I found it and here it is.

Untitled from J. Christopher Rodgers on Vimeo.

Little Hero Capes Promo Videos

Allison Faunce of Little Hero Capes asked me to create a promo video that she can use to bring her product to a larger audience. She creates custom capes, mask and cuffs for kids. It's an awesome idea I was happy to help.

I create two versions, one a shorter up-tempo film that is a toe-tapper with a stylized intro and then a slower more folksy version. Both target different audiences allow for greater coverage.

Here's the up-tempo version.




And here is the longer version. It's hard for me to decide which one I like more.

Little Hero Capes Promo Videos

Allison Faunce of Little Hero Capes asked me to create a promo video that she can use to bring her product to a larger audience. She creates custom capes, mask and cuffs for kids. It's an awesome idea I was happy to help.

I create two versions, one a shorter up-tempo film that is a toe-tapper with a stylized intro and then a slower more folksy version. Both target different audiences allow for greater coverage.

Here's the up-tempo version.




And here is the longer version. It's hard for me to decide which one I like more.

Charles Bukowski - The Poetry Reading

My brother gave me Charles Bukowski's book Pulp as a birthday present a few years back and it quickly became one of my favorites. Bukowski in general is devoid of subtlety, which is likely why I wanted to use one of this poems as a short film. Here I use his The Poetry Reading along with backing from The Antlers' Kettering with some footage from a cold day in Atlantic City.

2010 is going to be a creative year and I wanted it kick it off right.

Charles Bukowski - The Poetry Reading from J. Christopher Rodgers on Vimeo.

Charles Bukowski - The Poetry Reading

My brother gave me Charles Bukowski's book Pulp as a birthday present a few years back and it quickly became one of my favorites. Bukowski in general is devoid of subtlety, which is likely why I wanted to use one of this poems as a short film. Here I use his The Poetry Reading along with backing from The Antlers' Kettering with some footage from a cold day in Atlantic City.

2010 is going to be a creative year and I wanted it kick it off right.

Charles Bukowski - The Poetry Reading from J. Christopher Rodgers on Vimeo.