Review is written by Staff @ The Ring and is based on • Interviews with this vendor • Interviews with past brides
Nick Miller thinks of himself as one of your extended wedding party members when he’s working your wedding. Alongside a second shooter, he covers the memories and details of your day on video, from multiple angles. Nick says that each wedding is truly different and that every couple has a different story. Each time he picks up a camera in the name of his Kitchener-based wedding videography company, N2 Productions, Nick is inspired by the chance to tell these stories with video. “Being married myself, I know how fast the wedding day flies by. I film every wedding like it’s my own, whether there are fifty guests or 400.”
Shooting in what he aims to be a modern, cinematic style, Nick is fuelled by the idea that when couples watch their videos in the future, it’ll bring back the laughter and emotion of the day. His demo videos had the team at The Ring in tears, his past couples love him, and his personality is what you want in a videographer – outgoing and enthusiastic without being overbearing.
We met with Nick to find out about the ‘accidental career’ that he loves. In the process, we also found ourselves tearing up over his demo videos (especially the vow parts, of course!), lurking through his video blog, and understanding why his past couples fell in love with Nick’s style and personality. Not to mention why he was quickly booking well into the 2011 wedding season at the time of our Fall 2010 interview. Here’s our take on why we think you’ll love N2 Productions, too…
Personally speaking…
Nicks admits that he’s mostly self taught. His experience and techniques have come from filming the world around him, from family and friends to nature and wildlife. “Every time I pick up my camera I'm trying something new,” he told The Ring. But it was wedding videography specifically that gave Nick the inspiration to start his own business full time.
“I sort of fell into wedding videography, ” says Nick. He remembers buying his first video camera when he was in high school so he could make snowboard movies with his friends. Then, when his sister got married she asked if he could film the day. “When I was looking over the footage from her day I knew I couldn't just give it to her in the raw format, so I taught myself how to edit and made my first ‘wedding video’,” explains Nick. A few months after that, Nick filmed a friend’s wedding and gave them the video as a gift. “They were so impressed with the video, my wife encouraged me to start a part time videography company,” adds Nick. So he did, in May 2009.
And though he wasn't sure what to expect (or whether he’d even get any paid bookings!) it was quickly obvious that Nick was doing the right thing. By March 2010 Nick had so many requests (twenty of which he booked) that videography soon became his full time career. Based on this year, he expects to do close to forty weddings in 2011.
“For some people weddings might seem repetitive, but what I like about weddings is that every one is different,” says Nick of his passion for the job. “Every couple has a different story and getting the chance to tell their stories through video is what keeps me inspired.” Plus, being married himself, Nick knows how fast the wedding day flies by so he makes sure to film every wedding like it’s his own. “I want to make sure that when my couples watch their video, it will bring back all the laughter and emotion from the day.”
An extension of your wedding party
Being the Owner of the company also means that Nick is the Main Videographer, Editor and Producer. Just to make sure nothing is missed, he also has three part time videographers who work alongside him.
But Nick is the one who meets with all of his couples. “It's nice to get to know my couples on more of a personal level prior to the wedding,” he says. “I like to learn how the couples met and their engagement story. It's important that we talk and feel comfortable with each other. I like to think of myself as an extended member of their wedding party.”
In fact, Nick seems to attract couples and families with fun, outgoing personalities as well. “I'm not sure how I got so lucky, but every bride and groom that I get is completely awesome!” he told us. “When I arrived at [one bride’s] house in the morning I was greeted by her dad who first yelled at me to take off my tie, then demanded that I do a shot of schnapps with him....”
Natalie Roffey hired N2 Productions for full day coverage of her August 2010 wedding day. She says that Nick was so easy going that he actually has a calming effect on his clients. "He takes everything in stride and goes with the flow on the big day… Nick and Jay had such great intuition to be able to subtly capture special moments to the point where we sometimes forgot they were even there, but they also blended in so seamlessly on our day that sometimes it just felt as though they were part of our wedding party."
On Katherine Pyke’s October 2010 wedding day, the N2 Productions crew seemed to appear magically out of nowhere when she was getting ready, and stayed until after the cake cutting at the reception. Katherine says she never really knew they were there (in a good way). "We chose N2 Productions as we found their prices competitive, their techniques unique and most of all, they were very 'comfortable'… The type of videographers you felt you'd known forever."
It’s this personality and his approach to service to which Nick credits N2 Productions’ quick growth and overnight success. “I like to give my couples a ‘VIP experience’… I'm with them from the day they book with me until way after the wedding. My couples become my friends.”
Jessica Seibel was married in July 2010 and had N2 Productions for full day coverage. "He was fun to have around and a pleasure to work with," she remembers. But it wasn’t just fun and games. Jessica says Nick was professional and polite as well. “He responded to all our emails promptly and never gave us a reason to worry as our day approached. Overall, Nick and N2 were everything we hoped for in a videographer...."
A modern style, hold the cheese
N2 Productions is building a reputation for taking a modern cinematic-style approach to shooting, offering two shooters at every event, getting creative with footage, and refusing to apply cheesy video effects to the finished product.
Nick believes this is part of the reason brides choose him. (We know it’s part of why we chose him!) “We don't use any ‘cheesy’ affects or transitions,” explains Nick. “You won't find any floating hearts in our videos. Our videos are edited with fast and creative cuts to give the video a more cinematic feel. We like to make our videos fun and exciting while still keeping the emotion of the day and telling each couple’s story.”
Katherine says she really liked the little vignettes that N2 Productions put into their final video because it really showed N2's individuality as videographers and captured her and her husband's personalities with candid moments set to music. "N2 Productions were very open to our requests and fulfilled all of them while using their technical knowledge and skill to provide us with a phenomenal final product that was beyond our expectations… "They had a very laid back, yet professional attitude about them and confidence was overflowing... we knew our memories were in good hands."
When Natalie and her husband saw their video montage clip during their honeymoon, they were both in tears. They both agreed that the best money they spent on their wedding was on their videographer and photographer. "N2 Productions captured every emotion we felt on our wedding day, including our joy and the happiness of our family and friends. Being able to go back to that day every time we watch our video is something you really can't put a price on."
2 videographers for 1 great price
N2 Productions’ packages begin at $2200 (plus HST), which includes ten to fourteen hours of coverage, two videographers shooting on HD cameras, an engagement video/love story, online highlight video, four to six fully edited DVDs, plus many extras.
While N2 Productions has set videography packages to choose from, Natalie says that Nick took the time to understand what her and her fiancé were looking for in a wedding video to ensure that he and his team captured exactly what they imagined. "Nick took the time to explain the role that his team typically plays in each part of a wedding day to ensure that their services matched exactly what we were looking for. We really appreciated the fact that Nick wanted to make sure he captured every part of our special day perfectly for us."
"The prices for their packages were completely reasonable," says Katherine. "In my opinion, the finished product from them was worth more than any photographer."
The most popular product that N2 Productions offers is their online highlight video that’s set to a song chosen by the couple in a music video format. Nick adds that they’ve also incorporated a new trend into their services – the Love Story/Engagement Video. “Brides love that we can play the video at the wedding reception so guests get to see and hear the couple’s story.”
"N2 Productions' prices were extremely reasonable and Nick was completely reliable on the day of the wedding," says Jessica. "He wasn't intrusive, staying in the background but still capturing our day in amazing detail."
Everything is shot in HD at N2 Productions and they can do same day edits to show some highlights from earlier in the day at the wedding reception, which we happen to think is pretty awesome.
Walking you through a wedding with N2 Productions
Nick recommends booking N2 Productions eight to twelve months before your wedding day, but adds that he has taken bookings as close as one week before the wedding – and will do so if he’s available.
The best way to contact him for a meeting is by email or phone. When you meet up with Nick for the first time (usually in his home studio, though he can come to you), the meeting usually lasts an hour. During this time, Nick likes to learn your story – how you met, how you became engaged, etcetera, because it’s important to him that you talk and feel comfortable with one another.
You’ll also go over the details of the wedding day so he can find out what type of video you’re after. When you’re ready to book, a 50% deposit is required, with the remaining 50% due one week before the wedding.
What Natalie liked when she first met with N2 Productions was how down to earth Nick was. "He is open and honest about everything involving his business and I never felt pressured by him when it came to talking about what my fiancé and I were looking for in a wedding video," she says. "The level of professionalism Nick exhibits as the face of N2 Productions is second to none... Every meeting with Nick prior to our wedding day was comfortable and enjoyable. He has a passion for videography that shines through, both in his personality and also in his work. From the moment we booked with N2 Productions, we knew we had made the right decision in choosing them as our videographers. I can't say enough about how much my husband and I loved working with Nick and his team. Planning a wedding can be stressful at times, but thanks to Nick, every aspect of planning our videography for our wedding day was stress free and an enjoyable experience."
Between booking and the wedding, you’ll book a time with N2 Productions to film your engagement video or love story. Then, on the wedding day, Nick shows up at the bride's house while one of his assistants goes to the groom’s house to film the ‘getting ready’. The two videographers then meet up at the ceremony location where they’ll film the ceremony from two different angles. “For the rest of the day we are with the bride and groom capturing the day as it unfolds,” adds Nick. “We team up to capture the ceremony, photo session and reception together, always making sure we have two different angles.”
Following the wedding, Nick says that you can expect to have your highlight video the week after the wedding, and the complete movie within about six to eight weeks.
One of Jessica's favourite memories of working with N2 Productions was when Nick posted the trailer of her wedding video a few days after the event. It was a three minute clip of some highlights of the day set to music. "We got so many compliments on the video and it really made everything seem fresh and special again." But she adds that the final product was even better. "It was a professional DVD with a working menu and links to the ceremony, dances, speeches and then an overview of the whole day," she explains. "... we'll cherish the video and memories for years to come."
Details, details, details
• Email or call Nick about 8 to 12 months before your wedding to book a meeting and discuss your videography needs.
• A 50% deposit is required to reserve your wedding date, with the remaining 50% due 1 week before the wedding day.
• Packages at N2 Productions start at $2200 for 10 to 14 hours of coverage, 2 videographers, an engagement/love story, an online highlight video, and 4 to 6 HD DVDs.
• HST is in addition to all quoted prices.
Nick Miller thinks of himself as one of your extended wedding party members when he’s working your wedding. Alongside a second shooter, he covers the memories and details of your day on video, from multiple angles. Nick says that each wedding is truly different and that every couple has a different story. Each time he picks up a camera in the name of his Kitchener-based wedding videography company, N2 Productions, Nick is inspired by the chance to tell these stories with video. “Being married myself, I know how fast the wedding day flies by. I film every wedding like it’s my own, whether there are fifty guests or 400.”
Shooting in what he aims to be a modern, cinematic style, Nick is fuelled by the idea that when couples watch their videos in the future, it’ll bring back the laughter and emotion of the day. His demo videos had the team at The Ring in tears, his past couples love him, and his personality is what you want in a videographer – outgoing and enthusiastic without being overbearing.
We met with Nick to find out about the ‘accidental career’ that he loves. In the process, we also found ourselves tearing up over his demo videos (especially the vow parts, of course!), lurking through his video blog, and understanding why his past couples fell in love with Nick’s style and personality. Not to mention why he was quickly booking well into the 2011 wedding season at the time of our Fall 2010 interview. Here’s our take on why we think you’ll love N2 Productions, too…
Personally speaking…
Nicks admits that he’s mostly self taught. His experience and techniques have come from filming the world around him, from family and friends to nature and wildlife. “Every time I pick up my camera I'm trying something new,” he told The Ring. But it was wedding videography specifically that gave Nick the inspiration to start his own business full time.
“I sort of fell into wedding videography, ” says Nick. He remembers buying his first video camera when he was in high school so he could make snowboard movies with his friends. Then, when his sister got married she asked if he could film the day. “When I was looking over the footage from her day I knew I couldn't just give it to her in the raw format, so I taught myself how to edit and made my first ‘wedding video’,” explains Nick. A few months after that, Nick filmed a friend’s wedding and gave them the video as a gift. “They were so impressed with the video, my wife encouraged me to start a part time videography company,” adds Nick. So he did, in May 2009.
And though he wasn't sure what to expect (or whether he’d even get any paid bookings!) it was quickly obvious that Nick was doing the right thing. By March 2010 Nick had so many requests (twenty of which he booked) that videography soon became his full time career. Based on this year, he expects to do close to forty weddings in 2011.
“For some people weddings might seem repetitive, but what I like about weddings is that every one is different,” says Nick of his passion for the job. “Every couple has a different story and getting the chance to tell their stories through video is what keeps me inspired.” Plus, being married himself, Nick knows how fast the wedding day flies by so he makes sure to film every wedding like it’s his own. “I want to make sure that when my couples watch their video, it will bring back all the laughter and emotion from the day.”
An extension of your wedding party
Being the Owner of the company also means that Nick is the Main Videographer, Editor and Producer. Just to make sure nothing is missed, he also has three part time videographers who work alongside him.
But Nick is the one who meets with all of his couples. “It's nice to get to know my couples on more of a personal level prior to the wedding,” he says. “I like to learn how the couples met and their engagement story. It's important that we talk and feel comfortable with each other. I like to think of myself as an extended member of their wedding party.”
In fact, Nick seems to attract couples and families with fun, outgoing personalities as well. “I'm not sure how I got so lucky, but every bride and groom that I get is completely awesome!” he told us. “When I arrived at [one bride’s] house in the morning I was greeted by her dad who first yelled at me to take off my tie, then demanded that I do a shot of schnapps with him....”
Natalie Roffey hired N2 Productions for full day coverage of her August 2010 wedding day. She says that Nick was so easy going that he actually has a calming effect on his clients. "He takes everything in stride and goes with the flow on the big day… Nick and Jay had such great intuition to be able to subtly capture special moments to the point where we sometimes forgot they were even there, but they also blended in so seamlessly on our day that sometimes it just felt as though they were part of our wedding party."
On Katherine Pyke’s October 2010 wedding day, the N2 Productions crew seemed to appear magically out of nowhere when she was getting ready, and stayed until after the cake cutting at the reception. Katherine says she never really knew they were there (in a good way). "We chose N2 Productions as we found their prices competitive, their techniques unique and most of all, they were very 'comfortable'… The type of videographers you felt you'd known forever."
It’s this personality and his approach to service to which Nick credits N2 Productions’ quick growth and overnight success. “I like to give my couples a ‘VIP experience’… I'm with them from the day they book with me until way after the wedding. My couples become my friends.”
Jessica Seibel was married in July 2010 and had N2 Productions for full day coverage. "He was fun to have around and a pleasure to work with," she remembers. But it wasn’t just fun and games. Jessica says Nick was professional and polite as well. “He responded to all our emails promptly and never gave us a reason to worry as our day approached. Overall, Nick and N2 were everything we hoped for in a videographer...."
A modern style, hold the cheese
N2 Productions is building a reputation for taking a modern cinematic-style approach to shooting, offering two shooters at every event, getting creative with footage, and refusing to apply cheesy video effects to the finished product.
Nick believes this is part of the reason brides choose him. (We know it’s part of why we chose him!) “We don't use any ‘cheesy’ affects or transitions,” explains Nick. “You won't find any floating hearts in our videos. Our videos are edited with fast and creative cuts to give the video a more cinematic feel. We like to make our videos fun and exciting while still keeping the emotion of the day and telling each couple’s story.”
Katherine says she really liked the little vignettes that N2 Productions put into their final video because it really showed N2's individuality as videographers and captured her and her husband's personalities with candid moments set to music. "N2 Productions were very open to our requests and fulfilled all of them while using their technical knowledge and skill to provide us with a phenomenal final product that was beyond our expectations… "They had a very laid back, yet professional attitude about them and confidence was overflowing... we knew our memories were in good hands."
When Natalie and her husband saw their video montage clip during their honeymoon, they were both in tears. They both agreed that the best money they spent on their wedding was on their videographer and photographer. "N2 Productions captured every emotion we felt on our wedding day, including our joy and the happiness of our family and friends. Being able to go back to that day every time we watch our video is something you really can't put a price on."
2 videographers for 1 great price
N2 Productions’ packages begin at $2200 (plus HST), which includes ten to fourteen hours of coverage, two videographers shooting on HD cameras, an engagement video/love story, online highlight video, four to six fully edited DVDs, plus many extras.
While N2 Productions has set videography packages to choose from, Natalie says that Nick took the time to understand what her and her fiancé were looking for in a wedding video to ensure that he and his team captured exactly what they imagined. "Nick took the time to explain the role that his team typically plays in each part of a wedding day to ensure that their services matched exactly what we were looking for. We really appreciated the fact that Nick wanted to make sure he captured every part of our special day perfectly for us."
"The prices for their packages were completely reasonable," says Katherine. "In my opinion, the finished product from them was worth more than any photographer."
The most popular product that N2 Productions offers is their online highlight video that’s set to a song chosen by the couple in a music video format. Nick adds that they’ve also incorporated a new trend into their services – the Love Story/Engagement Video. “Brides love that we can play the video at the wedding reception so guests get to see and hear the couple’s story.”
"N2 Productions' prices were extremely reasonable and Nick was completely reliable on the day of the wedding," says Jessica. "He wasn't intrusive, staying in the background but still capturing our day in amazing detail."
Everything is shot in HD at N2 Productions and they can do same day edits to show some highlights from earlier in the day at the wedding reception, which we happen to think is pretty awesome.
Walking you through a wedding with N2 Productions
Nick recommends booking N2 Productions eight to twelve months before your wedding day, but adds that he has taken bookings as close as one week before the wedding – and will do so if he’s available.
The best way to contact him for a meeting is by email or phone. When you meet up with Nick for the first time (usually in his home studio, though he can come to you), the meeting usually lasts an hour. During this time, Nick likes to learn your story – how you met, how you became engaged, etcetera, because it’s important to him that you talk and feel comfortable with one another.
You’ll also go over the details of the wedding day so he can find out what type of video you’re after. When you’re ready to book, a 50% deposit is required, with the remaining 50% due one week before the wedding.
What Natalie liked when she first met with N2 Productions was how down to earth Nick was. "He is open and honest about everything involving his business and I never felt pressured by him when it came to talking about what my fiancé and I were looking for in a wedding video," she says. "The level of professionalism Nick exhibits as the face of N2 Productions is second to none... Every meeting with Nick prior to our wedding day was comfortable and enjoyable. He has a passion for videography that shines through, both in his personality and also in his work. From the moment we booked with N2 Productions, we knew we had made the right decision in choosing them as our videographers. I can't say enough about how much my husband and I loved working with Nick and his team. Planning a wedding can be stressful at times, but thanks to Nick, every aspect of planning our videography for our wedding day was stress free and an enjoyable experience."
Between booking and the wedding, you’ll book a time with N2 Productions to film your engagement video or love story. Then, on the wedding day, Nick shows up at the bride's house while one of his assistants goes to the groom’s house to film the ‘getting ready’. The two videographers then meet up at the ceremony location where they’ll film the ceremony from two different angles. “For the rest of the day we are with the bride and groom capturing the day as it unfolds,” adds Nick. “We team up to capture the ceremony, photo session and reception together, always making sure we have two different angles.”
Following the wedding, Nick says that you can expect to have your highlight video the week after the wedding, and the complete movie within about six to eight weeks.
One of Jessica's favourite memories of working with N2 Productions was when Nick posted the trailer of her wedding video a few days after the event. It was a three minute clip of some highlights of the day set to music. "We got so many compliments on the video and it really made everything seem fresh and special again." But she adds that the final product was even better. "It was a professional DVD with a working menu and links to the ceremony, dances, speeches and then an overview of the whole day," she explains. "... we'll cherish the video and memories for years to come."
Details, details, details
• Email or call Nick about 8 to 12 months before your wedding to book a meeting and discuss your videography needs.
• A 50% deposit is required to reserve your wedding date, with the remaining 50% due 1 week before the wedding day.
• Packages at N2 Productions start at $2200 for 10 to 14 hours of coverage, 2 videographers, an engagement/love story, an online highlight video, and 4 to 6 HD DVDs.
• HST is in addition to all quoted prices.
