Since the beginning, we have always wanted to deliver the best service and product possible to our couples, so having two lead videographers who are confident in themselves and their work has always been the standard offered…”
Eric Must, Eric Must Film
Eric & Julia Must are a destination wedding videographer couple based in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. The couple has traveled the world over the past six years, capturing weddings large and small at many of the world’s most exotic and exclusive locations. Here, we discuss Eric and Julia’s approach to wedding videography and what they offer to international couples on their big day…
C&B: “Eric, you’ve been to some amazing locations and produced coverage of fantastic weddings – what initially inspired you and Julia to pursue a career in videography in the luxury wedding sector?”
EM: “I fell in love with the art of filmmaking while I was still in high school, before Julia and I met. After graduating, I took a break before going to college to travel the world and experiment with videography. I loved it so much that I decided to risk it all and pursue a career doing what I love, which is capturing unforgettable moments and freezing them in time. About two years later, I met Julia and we got married. She helped me grow tremendously, and with every passing year we strive to achieve a more prestigious level of weddings than we have in the past. It’s hard for us to sit still and be ‘comfortable’, so we are constantly trying to learn, grow and expand our business to new heights…”
C&B: “What advice would you give to couples who are looking to choose a videographer for their wedding? What are the key factors they should they consider?”
EM: “It’s all about creating trust with the client! I’d tell them that they should definitely look for a videographer whose style resonates with them. It’s important to review their portfolios to see if their previous work aligns with the vibe the couple wants for their wedding. Also, a good connection can really make a difference in how comfortable the couple feels in front of the camera, which is why it’s a really good idea to have a welcome call with each vendor you are considering. Clear communication is key, so they should discuss their vision, must-have shots, and any special requests upfront. Lastly, reading reviews and getting recommendations can help confirm they’re making the best choice…”
C&B: “Can you describe your creative process when preparing for a wedding shoot?”
EM: “When preparing for an upcoming wedding, the first step we normally take is to have a phone call with the couple to understand their vision and style. We discuss the key moments they want captured, specific details that reflect their personalities, any cultural aspects or expectations, and special traditions we should be aware of. Since most of our weddings are not local, we typically arrive at least two days early for two reasons: to ensure time for travel delays and to scout the venue and surrounding areas. I also communicate with the wedding planner to inform them that we are on-site and available for any requests they may have. On the big day, we focus on being discreet while capturing all the emotions and details. It’s all about telling their unique love story…”
C&B: “Working as a couple in such a high-pressure environment must have its challenges. How do you create a cohesive style between the two of you during at a wedding?”
EM: “Before any event, we sit down and talk through our visions and expectations for the film and how to execute it, and after six years of traveling and working together, we’ve got a pretty good system down. Plus, we trust each other’s instincts and skills, which makes it easy to navigate any differences that come up. I know exactly what Julia needs and she knows what I need at any given time of the day. We have our own discreet looks and mannerisms to let each other know if the other needs a battery or to switch up an angle. It’s like a secret language at this point!”
We do research beforehand to understand the local customs and traditions, for example if there is a preferred dress code for a certain place of worship. We do our best to be respectful of the couple’s wishes and learn about any specific rituals or traditions they want captured. We come from a Ukrainian background ourselves, and since the beginning of our videography journey we’ve been filming events showcasing different cultures. For us, some popular ones besides American have been Eastern European, Jewish, Middle Eastern and South Asian to name a few…”
Eric Must, Eric Must Film
C&B: “What have been some of the most memorable weddings you have covered, and what made them stand out to you?”
EM: “The wedding of Tej and Khushbu Patel at Dreams Macao Beach in Punta Cana was definitely one of our favourites: An incredible four day event jam-packed with six cultural ceremonies, countless vibrant floral installations, exciting entertainment and guests dressed to impress, adorned in the most stunning attire we have ever seen.I remember sleeping so little but somehow being excited and energised to start filming the next event. Those are the prized moments of being a videographer that fill the need to capture and create something magical, so that it reflects the feeling of being there and experiencing those moments in real life…”
“Another wedding that really stood out to us was the wedding of Samer Khalaf and Jackie Seabrook, a high profile hair artist in NYC. They said their “I Do’s” at Canoe Studios overlooking the NYC skyline; Samer hired a Lebanese dabke band to entertain the guests, and Jackie designed and custom-made her own wedding gown, in true NYC ‘it girl’ fashion. Her sister, Diana, curated the most delicious dinner menu, and brother-in-law, Ramy, designed and tailored all the suits. Needless to say, an amazingly talented group of people. Early the next morning, the newlyweds got ready and went on a second day shoot with Anastasiia Photography and ourselves before the busy city awoke. It was a wedding weekend full of New York City magic, and you could feel the essence of talents all around you…”
C&B: “Both these weddings sound incredible – true ‘family affairs’! With so many individuals and different locations involved, how do you handle any unexpected situations or challenges that arise?”
EM: “Handling unexpected situations is all part of the job. In late May of last year, we had a wedding at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. We were in the middle of portraits around the property and all was going according to plan until the groom started to show signs of heat exhaustion. We called for medical attention and got him the help he needed right away, but it delayed the ceremony by an hour and cut out our shooting time. We decided to sneak the couple away from their cocktail hour to shoot some romantic shots and ended up having the most beautiful glowing light, right before sunset. Staying calm and flexible is key, and it often leads to unique and special moments that wouldn’t have happened otherwise…”
C&B: “How do you maintain a balance between capturing candid moments and directing the couple and guests for the posed shots that you mention?”
EM: “It really depends on the couple. Ideally, we don’t like to pose often, but if the couple is not comfortable in front of the camera and is looking to us for direction, then we have specific prompts that encourage them to interact with each other. Usually that’s when true emotions come out, when they forget that we are there and just enjoy the moment together. Another thing to mention is that normally the photographer we are working with is doing most of the posing, so it’s really important for us to capture the in-between moments of cute glances and laughter to capture the authentic emotions. Of course, there are times where posed shots are required and it all comes together to create a well-rounded story that captures the essence of the day!”
C&B: “Eric, over the past six years you and Julia have travelled to numerous exotic locations – which have been your favourites?”
EM: “That’s a hard one, but I’d have to say I especially loved shooting at Kualoa Ranch in Oahu, Hawaii. It’s such a beautiful place with stunning views and year-round amazing weather. The ceremony location looks like something out of a movie, with a view of the sky and ocean blending into one, framed by massive royal palm trees with a tiny island in the middle. The backside of the ceremony boasts the epic Ko’olau Mountain Range. In other words, it’s breathtaking in a very nature forward way.
“We loved shooting at the Fairmont Olympic hotel in Seattle, with its iconic staircase and grand lobby, which exhibits a polished take on Spanish/Italian Renaissance…”
“Another favourite location is Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest, Hungary for its stunning architecture, luscious greenery, and proximity to the city centre. Every corner of this venue is the ideal shooting location, you just can’t go wrong…”
“Cigarral de las Mercedes in Toledo, Spain is also a stunning venue, overlooking the city of Toledo while having a luxury resort getaway vibe to it…”
“And, finally, The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC is a local venue for us, and it being only ten minutes from home is convenient and a nice change from the usual long haul trips we take for weddings abroad. Not to mention it’s gorgeous, gardens and all…”
CONTACT: http://www.ericmustfilm.com
