Divine Events Blog

My poor blog has been neglected but I’m excited to return with a new Q&A. Today I am talking with Christina, of Murasaki Media. She’s one of my favorite videographer’s to work with. She is really sweet but more importantly she is professional and creates beautiful films. I hope you enjoy getting to know a little more about Christina.

What is your film/video background? My video production background began with a small media production house which produced educational films. Soon after, I began working in the production department for a local CBS affiliate news station. I also participated behind the scenes in local small films, commercials and documentaries. Later, I began my own company, creating wedding films for many San Diego couples.

What is your favorite part of filming a wedding?  One of my favorite parts of filming a wedding is receiving feedback from the couple after they have viewed their final film. I really want to capture as many moments as possible so that the couple can relive the day over and over again. It is important to me to provide the same service and product that I would expect from my own wedding. Hearing how much they love their film makes my day and puts a smile on my face.

Why do you think having a wedding video is important? Wedding video is important because it captures other dimensions: Sound and Movement. Not only will a couple love watching their wedding day now, generations to come will enjoy the piece of history preserved over time. Hearing vows, seeing Aunt Betty, watching the bride walking down the aisle or listening to a special toast can only be captured on video. Once that moment passes, those audible and visual moments are gone. The best way to preserve those moments in full is in a wedding film.

Do you have any tips to help clients feel more comfortable in front of the video camera? The best way to feel comfortable in front of the camera is to forget the camera is there. Get lost in your moments. We are there to film your day as it unfolds and the best way to do that is to relish in your event. Weddings are the best day of your life and you should enjoy every minute of the day.

Do you offer any other types of videos? Yes! We offer Love Stories and Engagement Videos that can be shown as a Save the Date or during a reception. We also capture precious moments of maternity and parenthood in our Baby Wish videos. They are similar to a video time capsule or a video journal. Recently we have added fun new trend, Video Birth Announcements. You can share the birth of your newborn in the most creative way possible.

Here’s a teaser Christina created from a wedding we did together. Please check out her website for links to more videos.

Christina, thank you for taking the time to answer our burning questions.

Ashley and I have worked together on several weddings. She’s professional, fun to work with and does a great job! I came up with some questions for her and I hope you find the answers interesting and useful. If you have any of your own questions please leave them in the comments and she will answer.

How long have you been doing makeup?  All of my life but professionally since 1999.  I started at MAC cosmetics in 1999 and worked there until 2004.  I have been a full time wedding makeup artist since 2004.

What is it that interested you in doing makeup?  Since I can remember my mom has always looked polished by having her makeup, hair and nails done.  When I was a little girl, she would let me play in her makeup drawer and I loved it.  When I was first allowed to wear makeup in my early teens I remember seeing a commercial with Tyra Banks and she had a smoky eye.  The camera zoomed in on her eyes and I remember thinking “I can do that.”  My mom bought me an eye shadow pallet and I was able to practice and really figured out how to make things work to get the different looks I saw on TV and in the magazines.

Is there an advantage in using airbrush foundation verses regular?  YES!  Airbrush is water based so it sits on top on your skin making it look light weight, smooth and flawless whereas traditional foundation, whether it be liquid or cream, soaks into your pores and moves into any lines or creases.  Airbrush foundation doesn’t get oily or shiny and it doesn’t separate on the skin like traditional foundation.  I always tell people that airbrush is the way to go and if they had a trial and were not happy with it, it probably wasn’t done right and they should give it another chance. 

Are there certain skin types that should avoid airbrushed makeup?  No, but you should wear whatever moisturizer you use daily which should be one that is made for your skin.  For example, if you have really dry skin you should be wearing a hydrating moisturizer.  Your skin should be prepped according to your skin type for the airbrush to be able to settle as naturally as possible on your skin and this is the case with any foundation.

What should a bride bring to a makeup trial for her wedding?  A clean face and a couple thoughts on what you do like and don’t like about makeup.  If you have any special products you want to wear bring those too, for example if you have your own lipstick you know you want instead of trying a new one.

Do you have any advice for brides that don’t normally wear makeup? Your makeup should be done the way you want it.  I think the phrase “you need more for pictures” is a little over-rated.  It is important to “enhance” your features for pictures but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need a lot of makeup on your face, it just means the placement of the makeup you do wear needs to be correct.  I like to correct that statement by saying “yes, you want to enhance your features for pictures but you also want to be comfortable when you are talking to people face to face.”  You can have the best of both worlds and the look you end up with should be what you want, whether it’s more dramatic or more natural looking.

What is your favorite part of doing a bride’s makeup on her wedding day?  I love what I do and everyone is excited to have their makeup done so it’s nice to have a job that people get excited about.  I love seeing brides on their wedding day and being in a room full of excitement and emotion but I have to say my favorite part is when someone looks in the mirror and feels so beautiful.  I see people’s personalities change once their makeup is done and it is very rewarding.

Do you have any tips for everyday makeup?  The most common thing I hear is “I don’t have the time.”  Figure out what it is that you like to emphasize most and find a way to do it if you want to.  For me, I have to wear mascara and eyeliner, and tons of it.  Some days that means getting the baby in the car and getting to my destination and taking a minute in the parking lot to throw some mascara on before getting out of the car.  I wear black enough mascara that I don’t always need to wear eyeliner if I don’t have the time.  Wearing makeup doesn’t mean you have to sit in front of your vanity with lights and a magnifying mirror.  If your focus is your skin, shop around and find an easy daily combo foundation, like MAC studio fix.  It is a powder and foundation in one so you can skip the 2 step process and forget concealer all together.  For daily makeup it’s all about doing what you can with what you have.  Some days I have the time to put towards it, and other days I cut corners to make it work.  Figure out what your “corners” are.

Here are a few beautiful brides that Ashely and I were lucky enough to work with.

If you would like to have your makeup done by Ashley you can email her at info@acmakeup.com or visit her website here.

Ashley, thank you for the insight and great tips!