It’s a family affair with George Horemiotis of SH Videography
“I get nervous every time, because I’m filming the biggest moment in people’s lives.”
Photo courtesy of Jill Person Photography
This month we sat down with George Horemiotis of SH Videography.
Heading a family run business of over 30 years, the VP of Membership of NACE, a proud member of the Boston Wedding Group, George has a lot to offer to the events industry (and clients!).
In an industry where businesses come and go, a 30 year old family-run videography company is a treasure. Read on to get to know George as we talk about creativity, family, and how to find the perfect videographer for your wedding.
SL You’re a family business. Can you talk about how SH videography came to be?
GH: My mom and dad started SH Videography almost 30 years ago. My godmother knew what my dad was into - photography and videography - and she kind of forced him to film her sister’s wedding. I was like 3 or 4 years old.
After that, being Greek, all the Greek families contacted my parents to have their weddings filmed. And that’s how it all started!
SL: So how did you end up working with your parents? Did you always want to do videography?
Click to see Taylor & John’s Highlight Reel
GH: My parent’s office was in our home so I was constantly hearing business talk. Shania Twain’s “From This Moment” was the hit wedding song at the time so I grew up loving that song. I thought I was never going to do wedding videos. I didn’t want to take over my parent’s business because I was always surrounded by it!
Then I went to school for marketing and advertising. Once my professors found out I could shoot and edit that became my role. I was in a national competition that was held at Hill Holiday and that led me to their internship program at their broadcast department. As you can see, I was really pushed into video even though it wasn’t what I wanted to do. After that experience with corporate culture, I began to like the idea of owning my own business. My mom needed help with a wedding that season. I ended up assisting my dad and it was fun! SH was established at that point so I was seeing these really big weddings and the whole experience was exciting. My mom began taking me to networking events and now I guess I’m in the industry.
SL: What would you say is your company's foundation/philosophy?
GH: We always tell our couples that they become part of our family. When they first come in they’re talking with both me and my mom and it kind of breaks the ice a bit. During consultations we always get off topic, we end up talking about our couple’s families and how they met. At weddings, I’m the main shooter and I’m the one editing the videos. By the time everything is over I know all about your family - the good and the bad. It’s cool to make something personal and beautiful.
SL: What’s your favorite thing to film?
GH: I have fun doing styled shoots with planners because you get to have full creative freedom. I just shot one with David Dicicco down in Provincetown. It was beautiful - he set up this little dinner under a dock and just totally transformed the space. I got to do a crazy cool video with fun editing it was a blast.
Click to see George’s work with David Dicicco
[As far as real weddings go], I think getting ready with the girls is fun. It’s the beginning of the day… we're laughing, everyone’s smiling. My nerves always go away once i’m in the room with the bride and everyone’s like “oh i’m so happy to see you”. The drive to the venue and stuff I am a ball of nerves. Once I’m [at the venue] I’m like I’m here and it’s all good.
SL: Are you nervous every time?
GH: Oh I get nervous every time, because I’m filming the biggest moment in people’s lives. My mom still says every night before a wedding - even though she doesn’t go to weddings she handles all the business -she still gets so nervous the night before.
SL: I’m the same way. When I know we have a gig coming up I always try to send good vibes to our musicians. They have to be ready to work with clients, coordinators, and manage their audio and performance…
GH: My biggest anxiety is audio - it’s kind of a big deal. In a way, that’s what you’re there to capture - the audio, the feelings, the speeches, the vows. After speeches are done I can truly relax for the day. I feel so calm. After that, the party starts and you just run around capturing people having a good time.
Click to see Courtney & Dominic’s Highlight Reel
Click to see Alexandra & Ries’s Highlight Reel
SL: What was your very first event like?
GH: So my first event was at the Boston Harbor Hotel. I’m very blessed to have that opportunity because of my parents. A lot of people’s first job is not at one of the biggest venues in Boston. My parents try to keep me humble and keep my head small. It was a beautiful wedding. Being my first event, my lack of knowledge about weddings and how they work was a challenge. I didn’t necessarily know where I needed to be at a certain time. Now I have it all down pat. I know what to do and what to get ready for. But I remember that first day I was like “this is so much stress and worry why would anybody ever want to do this”! But it was incredibly gratifying at the end of the day. The final outcome was beautiful. The best part was getting to work with my parents.
SL: I have not met one person who said that their first event was perfect.
GH: I didn’t even know if this was my career path. Once I decided I wanted to become the main camera, and we got the right equipment, it made a world of a difference.
SL: What do you think couples should ask when they’re looking for videography services?
Click to see Margot & Kevin’s Highlight Reel
GH I was thinking about this. I think a question [couples] should ask is “who’s filming my wedding?” Like, are the people you’re meeting the people who will be filming? Is the videographer a stranger your company found on craigslist? [The staff] has a lot to do with the quality of the product that's going to come out.
At SH, we have three different videographers that assist us. I’m always the main camera person. I don’t think I could ever send someone out to do a wedding alone and we never double book.
You may see on a facebook group, “I need a videographer for this weekend” and that just scares me. They don’t know the style you need to shoot in or what’s important to you. People also look on craigslist. I could never do that. You’re filming someone’s wedding day and it’s a lot of pressure. I want a gimbal [editor’s note: a gimbal is a handheld camera stabilizer] and drones and to create a visual story.
And make sure that the company gets along with the other vendors at your wedding. As a videographer we always get asked how we get along with the photographer. We’re going to be right next to each other all day, so if we’re butting heads or getting in each other's way and fighting nobody is happy. I try to kill photographers with kindness so at the end of the day the images turn out great for everyone.
SL: Who do you look up to? Who inspires you in the industry?
GH: Other vendors in the industry push me to grow. I think we have a lot of talented people in videography. So I want to keep up with that and be on the same level as everybody else. So that’s what pushes me to build and move further.
Who do I look up to? My parents. They raised three boys and ran a business all while my dad had another full time job. He would wake up at 4 in the morning, come home at 12 and go film a wedding for the full day. I don't know how he did that. I'm so dead after a wedding. And they have a company that’s still thriving after 30 years.
Even when I look back at my family’s videos they were so head of their time and so creative. They have the history and smarts of the business and I have the youth and creativity. We’re a perfect team.
Click to see Brittany & Aaron’s Highlight Reel
We're a music blog so we have to ask...
What artist do you sing along with in the car?
Right now? Dua Lipa.
Best music for a lazy Sunday?
Maroon 5 or Adam Levine. We just drove to NH and I had Maroon 5 playing in the background.
What make you get up a dance?
Beyonce or Lady Gaga. I love dancing and going out!
THANK YOU George for being a part of our blog! We consider you part of the family and can’t wait to make some memories in the future. Family run businesses are the heart and soul of the events industry and we love showcasing professionals with passion. If you’d like to work with George and the fam at SH Videography, be sure to check out their website and social medias linked below:
SH Videography | Facebook | Instagram | Vimeo
If you are a vendor and are interested in being in the SpeechLess Spotlight, please email booking@speechlessmusic.com
With a culinary background and an eye on etiquette, Peral Farquharson brings every part of her unique identity to her business, Designed by Delsie. Pearl talks to us about the mistakes she sees couples make when planning their wedding, and her take on navigating tricky family dynamics.