FAQs
Where are you located? Do you travel?
After stints in Chapel Hill, England and Boston, I currently in Charlottesville, VA, but YES I am very willing to travel for video projects. I have filmed weddings in 6 different countries (but ironically just 3 US states) and am very comfortable filming in new and diverse environments. Zeke Smith films has clients in the greater Washington, DC area, NoVA, Charlottesville, Richmond, and the Triangle (Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh) but am willing to travel further if necessary.
What is your shooting style? Do you carry a lot of equipment?
Whether it’s capturing your wedding or stepping into your home, my priority is always capturing the moment without drawing attention to myself. I shoot in a documentary style, which means there is very little of me directing or posing you; I believe the footage looks the best when clients are at ease and are being themselves. So while the final product is cinematic and intimate, I always try to film in a way that’s unobtrusive and natural. Many clients have commented that I have put them at ease to the point they’ve sometimes forgotten I was there, or that it felt natural to have me in the room - that kindness and consideration is something I pride myself on. To that end, I also try to shoot with cameras and gear that will get me the best footage without being unnecessarily attention-grabbing - I use cameras that are powerful but compact, and before every event my team and I do a rundown of our gear to make sure we aren’t bringing a single piece of extraneous equipment into your space.
What are your rates for Weddings and Family Films?
Weddings: I offer a starting base package that includes a 3-5 minute “trailer” of highlights from your wedding set to selected and licensed music, as well as a longer video encapsulating the full story of your day. I offer a variety of add-ons including full video of the ceremony, aerial drone coverage, Instagram teasers, and more. Wedding packages start at $2500 USD.
Family Films: These sessions take place at your home or a location meaningful to you, and involve me spending 2-4 hours capturing the connection and authentic story of your family as you simply laugh, play and enjoy one another, whatever that looks like for you. The final product is a family keepsake of a 3-5 minute video carefully edited to licensed music that reflects your family and elicits the emotions of this season of life for you. I offer a variety of add-ons, including still photographs to accompany the video footage, filming at multiple locations, and more. Family Film packages start at $800 USD.