Month: February 2021

“Music is a force and power tool for our well being.” Valerie Romanoff, founder of Starlight Music, is Andy’s guest on the show today. Valerie was on episode 24 of The Wedding Biz back in October 2017 and has had quite a pivot since. So, Andy wanted to have her on the show to catch up and find out what she has been doing. 

Listen as Valerie shares why she uses the terms “still,” “chill,” and “thrill” when discussing the different segments of life, how the vibrations of music can shift energy, and what she does that is so unique and different when putting on a performance. Valerie also talks about having performers who do more than just show up; performers who are aware and more intentional about their performance.

Valerie discusses what she likes to talk about when she coaches her band leaders and why to her every moment, every night is different, and it’s not just a show; it’s an interactive collaboration with everyone who is there. Valerie believes a home run when you have everyone on the dance floor and in a certain state of mind.

Valerie believes we should all look at the gifts this time off has given us instead of focusing on the negatives. She discusses events’ potential to have more meaning and awareness once people can get out and enjoy them again, and where she thinks the industry will go once this pandemic is over.

This is a revisit of Andy’s popular interview of David Tutera from May of 2018 with a new introduction.

“What I strive to do for every couple I shoot is to deliver variety, quality, and consistency throughout.” Listen as Andy and his guest Erich McVey discuss a variety of topics, including how he got started in photography and what he means by combining documentary and fine art styles when he shoots weddings plus much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz.

Erich is a wedding, portrait, and editorial film photographer with a love for medium format cameras, natural light, and incredible scenery. Erich was named by Harpers Bazaar, Brides, and Martha Stewart Weddings as one of the world’s best wedding photographers and twice selected as film Photographer of the Year. 

Listen as Erich discusses controlling variables to position couples to give them a moment and not let the business and repetition kill his zest for creating unique imagery. Erich also shares what drew him to film over digital and why he believes he can live in the camera when he shoots with film instead of dealing with the distraction of digital.

Erich believes that lighting is a photographer’s best friend. Using light is probably the most enjoyable aspect of being a photographer and is a major way to distinguish photographers from one another. Erich says that he loves the fact that this gets to be his job and that it’s totally interpretive.