Meet Jake Goodman | Video Producer and Editor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jake Goodman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jake, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

The idea for Retro Wedding Films originated when my wife and I were watching some family home-movies during the holidays. We were sitting on the couch, using a VCR tape plugged into an adapter to watch them on our modern TV. It felt nostalgic and genuine, unlike the heavily edited and slow-motion wedding videos that have become popular today. I realized that I wanted a wedding video that captured the authenticity and charm of those old-school home-movies.

When I couldn’t find any videographers who specialized in this style, it became clear to me that I should produce it myself. I wanted to create wedding videos that felt truly authentic and reminiscent of the past. This led me to start Retro Wedding Films, where I can offer couples a unique and personalized video experience that captures the essence of their special day in a way that resonates with them and evokes a sense of nostalgia.

What should our readers know about your business?

I have been a freelance video producer and editor since 2012, so even though the business is pretty new, I have a lot of experience in the field. It felt like a natural progression to create a business focused on wedding videography, since I have all this experience in video and a product that offers a lot of value

We shoot everything on camcorders, mostly digital but some film and tape, to give it that old-school, home movie feeling. Our style is meant to feel like your uncle shot your wedding, but he happens to be a professional photographer with an eye for composition and anticipating the moment. We try not to edit too much out either, because those little details (whether it’s a detail shot of a tree blowing in the wind or your grandma hugging your aunt) are uniquely your moments. In 30 years, those details are what make your video truly special.

Our biggest challenge has definitely been marketing – trying to get this thing out in front of more people. I talk about it all the time out in the world, and people really latch on to the idea. I’m certain a lot of people are going to love what we are doing, but finding engaged couples and making an impression on them is an uphill climb. We’re climbing though!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Hitting up local breweries like Three Taverns, Halfway Crooks or Inner Voice.

Go hiking at Arabia Mountain, Lullwater Preserve or East Palisades. Drive a bit further and you can find some incredible trails outside the city too – the foothills of the Appalachia!

See live music (love going to the Earl, The Eastern is new and awesome, but my all time favorite is the Tabernacle).

If they’ve never been, I definitely would take my guest to La Fonda, one of my all time favorites . Been going there all my life and it truly never disappoints.

Take a trip to Athens for a gameday (or for live music, a little bar hopping, or just to walk around campus. I went to college up there and don’t get back up there enough).

Watch the Falcons play over at Midway in EAV. Going to see the Braves play is really fun too, just kind of a headache with the Battery, the parking/Uber, the prices – it’s a tall order.

Go spend the afternoon at Stone Summit or take some bikes up to the Silver Comet trail.

On Sunday I’d want to take them to the Grant Park Farmer’s Market. Maybe take a stroll through Oakland Cemetery, then go cook something delicious back home and relax on my porch.

One thing I love about Atlanta is how you can be in the middle of the city and your backyard can feel like you’re miles away surrounded by nature. The trees are probably our best quality.

Check out the High Museum of Art! The Aquarium and the Botanical Gardens are great options, especially with kids.

One thing I love about Atlanta is that there’s always something fun going on – whether it’s a porchfest, a local film screening, a community bike ride, or yoga in the park – the city has so many great, welcoming people and things to do.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my family over at Full Lock Media. Kapil Gandhi is a wonderful human. He took me under his wing early in my career and has been a mentor figure to me ever since. Whether it was shooting high end hotel videos across the country, or producing and editing short films, Full Lock taught me how to bring my video productions to new heights

Website: www.retroweddingfilms.com

Instagram: @retroweddingfilms

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jake-goodman-06294656

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retroweddingfilms/

Other: Portfolio Website www.goodmanvisuals.com Personal IG @jake.s.goodman TikTok @retroweddingfilms

Image Credits
colinmurphyphoto@gmail.com