Elevate in Motion

Cinematography + Photography… it just makes sense.

We are excited to announce that Elevate Photography now offers cinematography. Elevate in Motion will provide exceptional cinematography for wedding, engagement and corporate events.

We handpicked Christian LaCosta, a super talented cinematographer formerly working in California, to join our team. His artistry is evident in every film he produces. From sound quality to editing to storytelling, Christian’s work rises above the rest.

Also, by working in collaboration with the photographers at Elevate, you can be sure that their will be no competition between photographer and cinematography.

See more at ElevateInMotion.com

CINEMATOGRAPHY VS. VIDEOGRAPHY

Often, videography and cinematography are used interchangeably, but there is actually a big difference between the two. Shooting techniques, image quality and storytelling vary greatly between the two.

Videography typically documents an event from the beginning to the end. The goal is to capture each moment rather than frame it as part of a story. Wedding videographers most often provide a DVD with the entire ceremony and toasts. Edits are minimal compared with that of cinematography.

Cinematography uses creative movement to tell a story and evoke emotion. Cinematographers normally use DSLR camera with interchangeable lenses to allow for lighting differences and more movement. Editing is more time intensive and couples receive a DVD that tells a story and includes key moments from the day.

MEET CHRISTIAN

Describe yourself in five words:
Fun
Goofy
Compassionate
Creative
Smart…I think…

Why did you choose Marquis Pizza for this interview? What does it say about you?
I’ve never had a bad conversation when eating pizza! And I love being in the city. Downtown is great because of all the people and every corner is so unique. Also pizza is easy…simple. I’m kinda simple. In a good way of course!

What inspired you to become a cinematographer? What do you love the most about shooting weddings?
One day I just made a video for my wife Amy’s brother and dad with a GoPro and they actually loved it. It was good and fun. I first got inspired by seeing the joy that my work could bring to people. As I progressed, and did more video, (I was shooting for a church in California), I saw how powerful the stories I was telling were and how valuable my talent really was. It became my craft, I was making things with my hands, and that felt really good. I started to see that I am able to do it well and it was something that I could see my self doing long term. Some people make leather wallets, some people make boats, but my craft is telling someone’s story in a unique way. And with that I can really impact their. AND I love it. It’s fun! Weddings are so special. There is just so much emotion and love. It’s the one story that I can guarantee that will have a great ending. Plus I get to meet some super cool people. I get to collaborate with lots of artists, so that is always great, but getting to know the bride and groom and their families is the best part.

How would you describe your style?
Cinematic! I like to think that I am very current and modern, but still provide a very timeless product. I don’t actually feel like my work is consistently just one style. I feel like I adapt to my clients really well. Everyone’s story is so different, and I can’t have just one point of view on what that will look like. I believe in quality movement, both technically and artistically. Story wise, I try to pick up on what is really unique about my clients and I love to document the entire roller coaster of emotions. It is so fun watching my films with my clients because within one minute you get to see them smile, cry, laugh. So cool! When you watch the story unfold, I want it to be soulful and real.

If you could be a food, what kind of food would you be?
I really, really, really like cheese. You can almost put cheese on anything and it makes it better. Kinda like butter but yummier. It is also more socially acceptable to put cheese on things instead of butter. On biscuits. Oh yeah. On chili. Ohhh yeah. Like the cheese that fries in the pan with a grilled. YES. Oh yeah! Cheese is so versatile. And I’m like that….haha…my wife is going to die when she sees this.

Tell me about one of your favorite wedding day memories.
Can it be from my own wedding? Cause when I did my garter toss I planned a dance with my groomsmen to surprise my wife. All the practice and everything came together perfectly, and her face was so awesome! I don’t usually do extravagant stuff, so it was so great that it all came together.

Also once. A groomsman passed out during the ceremony. Sad but funny. It was so hot and he didn’t eat. He got up, shook it off, and then a minute later he passed out again! They ended up taking him somewhere else and then they just went on with the ceremony. That was pretty awesome. Still makes me laugh!

What are your biggest obstacles in being creative every day, and how do you overcome them?
The only time I’m not able to be creative is because I’m hungry. So I eat food and then I can turn the creativity back on. Also a nap helps. Other than than I’m pretty good at being creative. (Soooo…you basically have similar needs of a 3 year-old? 😉 )

What kind of legacy do you hope to leave?
The most important thing is to be a good example to my future children. I definitely want to show them how much I love my wife (Amy) and hopefully they see how well I treat her. In the end, what I have that is here that I don’t get to take that with me will be my family, so that matters a lot.

I also want to teach my kids what hard work can get you and how important it is to do what you love. And to not be scared to try new things — to get outside of the box. I would also love to get to the point where my whole focus is to glorify God’s kingdom in everything I do. When I make God my priority, everything else falls into place. I hope people will say that I used the gifts God gave me as best as I could and that I was genuinely happy doing it. Really, if I make only one difference in one persons life, that’ll be huge.

If you could shoot any celebrity or famous person’s wedding, who would it be and why? (Even if they are already married – past or present)
Jimmy Fallon. Cause he is just so awesome. And because he is very extravagant. I am sure his wedding would be like that. He sings, acts, looks cool, and he’s funny. Everything that you want in any video!

If you were a genre of music, what genre would you be?
Probably like Nat King Cole. The old classy crooners you know? That era had just such true talent. Everything was new back then. Now we copy so much, but old Jazz is just timeless and so good.

What is one word or phrase you catch yourself saying too often?
I’m sorry. Because I’m a husband and because I often do and say things that are very stupid. So I have to say sorry a lot. That is the truth.

What else would you like people to know about you?
I love my dog so much. Decker is the man. I love animals. My dog specifically. And it’s possible that I cuddle with him more than my wife at night. I mean, like, I totally cuddle with both of them. And not in a creepy way.

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time? What would you do more of if you had more free time?
Definitely traveling more. Experiencing the food and the people. I’ve traveled a bit already…I recently went to Cambodia and was able to film stories about sex trafficking to tell the church thank you for making differences around the world. It’s places like that where my heart wants to be at all times. It reminded me why I do what I do and why I love it. It gave me more fuel to capture stories like that — stories that are that powerful and mean that much. To be able to share those stories with other people. There is so much that we hear about but don’t see, and to be able to see them takes you there and can actually change lives by giving inspiration to move someone to action to do what they feel called to do.

MY BIGGEST WEDDING REGRET

My wedding day was the best day of my life. I’ve never felt more loved or special than I did on that day. The countless hours of planning came together perfectly. As I looked out at our friends and family from around the globe, I was truly happy.

My only regret is that I didn’t hire a cinematographer to capture the happiness. I will never get to relive my guests roaring with laughter as my maid of honor detailed our junior high obsession with New Kids on the Block and our “neighborhood walks” that were an excuse to spy on our cute neighbor.

I don’t remember the wise words about marriage that our pastor shared with us that day. I will never get to hear the beautiful rendition of Ave Maria that my best friend’s little sister, who I’d known since she was born, sang.

Most of all, I wish that I could see the emotion on my soon-to-be-husband’s face as he pledged to be mine forever. I wouldn’t mind seeing myself a few pounds lighter either.

Don’t make the same mistake I did; call Christian today to preserve your wedding memories forever.

-Kelly James