Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Cecil.
Hi Shannon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I studied Film Studies in college at UCSB but actually graduated without ever touching a camera! After graduation I moved back home to Santa Cruz and I knew I wanted to work behind the camera, so I kept studying production through online classes and an internship at a production company in Santa Cruz called The Digital Media Factory where we produced, shot, and edited a lot of segments on musicians, and actually live recorded some small performances in their space. From there I got linked up with a couple feature films and TV series that came through Santa Cruz to shoot, one being Chasing Mavericks, and worked on a few film sets before I realized I wanted to be part of something smaller that I felt more connected to. My best friends in Santa Cruz were wedding photographers and gave me the idea to try wedding videography, there were not many wedding videographers in Santa Cruz at the time, this was 2013. I always loved shooting family memories and made lots of videos for family and friends birthdays, so it felt like a good fit. I was working as a waitress at the time and two of my regular customers were my first wedding clients! From then, with word of mouth, lots more inquiries came in and my business was off and running! It has felt like a door the universe opened for me and I am so grateful I walked through it!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road! While I have had steady inquiries over the years, I struggled A LOT in the beginning with time management, learning curves of new technologies and equipment, and the whole business side of things, which my creative brain had no practice with! Learning how to price my services, communicate with clients, deliver a product I was proud of and that the client loved, and not burn myself out by working 24/7 was a real challenge. I remember many a breakdown on my living room floor, just feeling so overwhelmed by the weight of it all, not knowing how I would ever get it all done! It is wild to think back to that time now, I wish I could give me back then a hug and tell her that it will all work out just fine!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Wedding Videographer who specializes in music video styled wedding films with a touch of nostalgia and home movie vibes. I want my videos to feel personal, elevated, and FUN! Music is a huge part of my editing process and I am know for editing my videos to upbeat, fast paced, alternative music. I love to make fast cuts, and edit a lot of energy into my videos to showcase the fun of a wedding day! I am a musician myself, and I love to match up the energy in the footage to the energy in the songs to create a feeling that is exciting and hits you right in your chest!
I also love to shoot with real Super 8 vintage authentic film! I have a Canon Super 8 camera from the 1970s that is so fun to shoot on and adds such a nostalgic warm feeling to any video. I send the film off to get developed and wait to receive a digitalized scan, and then edit it along side my 4k footage for a vintage meets modern feel. It is probably my most favorite add on to any wedding day.
I have shot over 200 weddings now and am so proud of how far I have come in my confidence and skill level! I am so grateful to get to make videos for a living and capture precious memories for my clients.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always interested in photography and film. I made silly home movies with friends, took embarrassing photos on disposable cameras, and loved singing at the top of my lungs. I loved catching and releasing bugs, collecting stuffed animals and pretending they would come to life, and taking care of the plethora of real pets that we had. I dreamed of having a horse one day. I was bright and colorful and full of curiosity. I loved my parents, friends, and brother, and felt completely loved and supported.
Recently I have really been reconnecting with these parts of myself again. It feels like the truest version of myself, this younger version, and coming back to the interests she had feels like coming home. I think younger me would be proud of current me, and nothing feels more fulfilling than that!
Pricing:
- Wedding Videography Package Prices start to $5,900
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seafoamfilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seafoam_films/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seafoamfilms/
- Other: https://vimeo.com/seafoamfilms
