Interview with Nashville Videographer Christian
Over the last couple months I’ve had the opportunity to connect and work with Christian at Wild Fern Weddings. From behind the scenes video to podcasts and wedding films, Christian is a Nashville videographer talent you do not want to miss. In this blog, I give my couples an opportunity to get know him a little better. From his enneagram type to advice for all couples, Christian comes out from behind the camera to share all.
What is your enneagram type, and how does it aid you in your role as a videographer?
I have taken the test multiple times and received a combination of 1 and 6. After reading the descriptions of each, I believe I align more with 1, because I’m definitely an organized person and, consistently seek to improve processes, both personally and professionally.
How did you get started filming weddings?
In 2015, I visited a skydiving facility in my hometown, intending to get a summer job packing parachutes. However, they urgently required a video editor to meet demand, so I began creating more than 20 skydiving videos each day (which quickly taught me the importance of having editing systems in place). Intrigued by the video aspect of the work, I researched YouTube and discovered Rory Kramer, which led me to film my travels, hikes, and eventually EDM concerts. From there, I started filing other genres to make more money than I was at the skydiving facility. While I made money filming real estate, branding, commercials, and more concerts, none of it was personally fulfilling. In the summer of 2018, my college informed me that someone had reached out so their creative program (I majored in photography since there was no cinematography program). I expressed my interest and filmed my first wedding in October of that year. I left that wedding with a sense of purpose, realizing that my work would be cherished by the couple and future generations. From that point forward, I focused on learning everything I could about wedding videography, in May 2010, created “Wild Fern Weddings” in a Denver, CO Airbnb the evening after attending a branding class at Venture Workshop. Since then, as a Nashville wedding videographer, I have concentrated on providing the best possible experience and work for my clients.
What inspires you on a daily basis?
My daily inspiration comes from striving to continually improve everything in my life. I prioritize tracking my sleep and workouts, reading books, and taking courses, all with the goal of becoming the best and most efficient version of myself. I also love developing effective systems and habits that support my goals. I believe that creating the right system can aid in allowing you to achieve your best work and be your best self.
How do you approach filming weddings?
Prior to the wedding, I organize all the notes I’ve gathered about what is important to the couple and input all of them into my Notion template. However, on the wedding day, I approach the event in a more fluid manner. I study the Notion template the morning of the wedding and prepare my gear accordingly, but then I let go of any rigid expectations and attend the wedding as a guest with the appropriate gear to match the couple’s vibe. From there, I document the day candidly, with a shot list that only includes what/who the couple values most. By remaining flexible and prepared to capture moments quickly, I am able to provide films that are personalized to each couple.
What is your dream wedding venue/destination?
Oh, that’s a tough one. I’d say locally, I would love to film at Southall Farm & Inn during the fall. Internationally, Villa Babiano in Itlay!
What advice do you have for couples going through the wedding planning process?
The most important thing I want couples to know (although it may sound cliché) is that this is THEIR wedding day. Do what you want with whomever you want, and don’t allow anyone (even vendors) to force you into traditions that don’t align with your values. It is essential to understand your values and “why” as you enter the wedding planning process so that you can make decisions that reflect who you are. If you want to know more, I’ve shared my top five tips (plus a bonus) for couples here.
If you enjoyed learning about Christian and want to see more of his work, visit him here and say hello! He’s currently booking 2023 and 2024 couples.