Joey Mathews, owner of Houston-based wedding videography company 31 Films, puts his love of family and personal moments into each of his heartfelt wedding videos. Though 31 Films’ work speaks for itself, we wanted to get the behind-the-scenes details on how Mathews and his team create wedding videos and trailers that leave us in tears, every. single. time. Keep reading to see how Mathews’ “passion thing” evolved into one of Houston’s top wedding videography companies, and view 31 Films’ amazing work!
Video: 31 Films | Venue: The Astorian | Photographer: Adam Nyholt Photography
Houston Wedding Blog: How did you get started in Houston’s wedding videography biz?
Joey Mathews: We started back in 2002 and there wasn’t really a business strategy. We were just really passionate about filmmaking and we did a few weddings for friends just for fun. Before we knew it, we were like, “this is actually a job!” For us, it was very much a passion thing that organically snowballed through the years and became what it is today.
HWB: How would you describe 31 Films’ aesthetic?
JM: Our aesthetic is walking the line of “cinematic-beautiful” and true documentary. Early on we wanted to just get all these really cool shots and wow people. But as we got older and had families of our own, we started to recognize how meaningful true emotional moments are at weddings.
HWB: What is your advice to couples for getting wedding videos they’ll treasure forever?
JM: A lot about telling couples’ stories in a meaningful and personal way comes from personal details and little mini-stories that the couple has. Any time that a couple can show their love for each other — a lot of times that is through a letter that they read for each other on their wedding day — it adds so much meaning. As they get older and they start having kids, for those kids to be able to hear what Mom and Dad’s voice sounded like and how they felt about each other on that day…those are the types of moments that we encourage our couples to think about. If they don’t do any of those things the video ends up being event, to event, to event.
Beyond that, when we are shooting it is really about the couple having a blast and us not getting in the way. If the couple can be themselves and really have a great time, we will be able to capture those moments naturally.
Video: 31 Films
HWB: What shots do wedding couples tell you they liked the most?
JM: When the couple gets introduced to the reception we will usually film a really wide angled shot following right behind them, and for them it relives that reveal of the room and reveal of all their closest friends and family cheering them on. Also getting time with the couple typically after the ceremony to get romantic footage that isn’t super posed, but is just them being together, is important. I think couples really love when they see those shots and we take a lot of pride in being able to get great magical moments within three minutes!
HWB: In your opinion what makes 31 Films really stand out as a wedding videographer?
JM: We pay really close attention to story, and how we edit that story together really helps us stand out. When I say story, I mean capturing the emotion of the day, the love between the couple, the families and how they all interact. Most brides say that they look at other filmmakers, and their stuff looks great, but they don’t really feel the way they do when they watch our films. There is so much that goes into filmmaking so it’s hard to say it’s one thing, but at the end of the day, I think it really comes down to how we put the story together in an emotional way that’s not overly-epic, but is true.
Like what you see? Wipe those happy-tears away and schedule a consultation with 31 Films today!