We recently connected with Samuel Murphy and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Samuel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I learned (almost) all of what I know from Youtube! I began just exploring things I was interested in which in the beginning was mostly photography. Still photography taught me basics of light, composition and color. But as I learned how deep and powerful experience video can be as a viewer, I fell in love with it. It’s an amazing gift to use visual and auditory components to connect people through ideas and experiences.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m a pretty simple guy. I’m dad, husband and craftsman. I founded a company called Everlast Film Co.
We craft heirloom wedding films with empathy.
My heart is to authentically reflect the couple as they experience one of the most meaningful days of their lives.
Some video folks get so focused on technical perfection and what’s up next.
For me It’s not always about the buttery slow motion or cinematic blurry background.
Most often the best things are the minor things we overlook. Like a kiss on the forehead from grandma, or your dad goofing off for the camera, or the bride and groom simply enjoying a quiet “non-epic” moment together.
Those are the moments that you’ll want to have in 50 years, and those are what we look for :)
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One muggy June in TN, I had a couple book me for videography and photography (not my norm). I worked it out to have another photographer shoot and I would edit the photos while I proceeded with video. They also wanted the ceremony filmed (a bigger to-do).
Well, the photog woke up vomiting on wedding day and she was in NO place to photograph.
I panic.
Immediately I text another photographer I know.
To my relief, they said yes.
A while later I texted to confirm they had all the details but got no response.
I panic a little again, but there was still some time for them to come through.
As I’m unloading my equipment one hour before ceremony (the photog arrival time) I still had heard nothing. I start preparing for the worst and running through scenarios when – my tripod breaks. Which I needed in order to film the ceremony.
15min before ceremony and nothing from my photographer and I now realize I have to take photos and video (for the first time). Sporting a single camera since my others were filming.
Spoiler: It was rough.
Not only was it hot and humid, the whole ceremony was in direct sun.
My cameras over heated and shut down multiple times.
By the end of the ceremony I was unsure if I had enough video to deliver what they paid me for.
After the ceremony we head into portraits. For the next hour I was holding back tears grappling with the weight of what I lost. Did I lose first kiss? The I do vows? Or particularly tearful groom reaction?
I was cooked inside and out.
I kept my composure and finished the night shooting photo/video.
As I’m walking to the car with my heavy camera rig on my tripod, the whole camera
(and lens I rented) falls to the ground.
I pick it up out of the dirt and find that there’s luckily no major damage. BIG sigh.
I drive home in silence.
I pull in the drive.
Put the car in park.
And I take the biggest deepest breath of my life, and begin to weep.
I wanted to quit.
I’ve been doing video work for years at this point. Stressful scenarios like this happen.
But never before have I wanted to walk away.
You can’t replicate a wedding day. Those moments happen once.
I couldn’t stand the thought of looking my client in the face to say
“Your first kiss is gone.”
After a few days and some internal work, I still felt this is the business I wanted to be in.
Yes – there’s a huge responsibility to deliver.
But this is some of the most meaningful work you can do.
To my delight, everything turned out okay.
I delivered a package the couple was happy with.
I bought better gear.
And I’m still friends with both photogs.
I decided that even if I did quit- couples are still going to hire videographers (good and bad).
So I am going to be one of the good ones. One that pours heart, soul and body into making sure they get a film they will cherish for generations.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Referrals from passed clients is the #1 I meet new couples. Hands down.
I’m no marketing guru.
In fact, I’m pretty lousy at it.
I don’t love the social media thing, and I really don’t love SEO.
What I do love is connecting with people.
I focus my effort on creating a meaningful client experience which speaks much louder than only running a sale on my latest product.
Don’t get me wrong – socials and SEO are extremely valuable.
It’s essential to show up in the digital world. Issues arise when we hyper fixate on the numbers.
As a result we’re tempted to disconnect from the people we’re serving and lose sight of the difference we’re making.
People want to know they can trust you to solve their problem.
If you demonstrate empathy to their pain and offer an effective solution to it, people will share/recommend own their own.
As a wedding filmmaker I’ve found wedding films can be stiff and posed to fit a certain look, but showcase very little of who the couple actually is or what they’ve been through.
I aim to create wedding films that authentically reflect a couple.
I take time to go beyond their relationship and learn about their hardships, family dynamics or out look on life. I want to understand them and create a film that their grandkids can connect with and experience the day with them.
Simply put: Give your client something to rave about, and they will.
It’s not a fast and quick way to grow a client base. It can take time see fruit from this tree.
But if you focus on growing deep roots your tree will last years and provide shade to many.
Contact Info:
- Website: everlatfilm.co
- Instagram: everlatfilm.co
- Facebook: everlatfilm.co
Image Credits
Jessica Newsome Photography