(NO. 05)
About Us
WELCOME FRIEND WE'RE DAVE AND CAITLIN - A HUSBAND AND WIFE cinematography TEAM DEDICATED TO CAPTURING THE heart of YOUR LOVE STORY.
We are a husband & wife cinematography team with a passion for capturing the soul of the human experience on a wedding day. There really is no gig like it– and we are grateful every day for the gift of working together (and all the experiences & new friends we’ve been blessed with along the way).
Aside from our work, we are equal parts best friends and lovers–inseparable for twelve years, married for nine. We love enjoying the simple things in our sunny city of Costa Mesa, California– slow mornings and evening beach swims, neighborhood walks for coffee & breakfast burritos (always stopping to pet our four-legged friends), and cozying up on our couch to a good movie.
(ABOUT US)
(iii) HOME
YEARS IN THE BIZ
SIDEKICK
CURRENT OBSESSION
Costa Mesa, California
Eight + Counting
Our Fur Buddy Koa
Afrobeats
(NO. 02)
HOW WE
SEE the WORLD
We have been graciously invited into many couple’s intimate worlds – all of them rich with story, emotion, and deep connection – and no two the same. These invitations have brought us all over the world– from the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast to backyards in our hometowns, into vibrant cultures and dining tables of loving families, and celebrations that vary from intimate mountaintop elopements to multi-day desert ragers (near or far, wild or mild– we love them all).
These invitations have impacted our lives and marriage in more ways than we can count–each wedding a heartfelt display of the human experience, all bottled up in celebrations as unique as the people behind them.
After eight years & over two hundred weddings later, we have never been more sure, grateful, or inspired to do this work– the work of preserving your legacy of love and the way you choose to celebrate it.
Good people, good vibes. Kindness and trust. Thoughtful design. Sincere hearts. Big energy in the room, everyone’s hearts ablaze for your love. Less “shoulds”, more personality. Music that makes you feel.
WHAT INSPIRES US:
(NO. 03)
(THE STORY BEHIND)
Iron & Fern
One of the biggest things we strive for in our work is balance– films that speak to a complete perspective of the story, the feeling, and the day. Whether it’s the balance between sweeping drone shots & grainy Super 8, or quiet moments drying each other’s eyes followed by a boisterous bridal party hyping you up– we want to preserve it all, because it’s all a part of the story.
As a husband and wife team, we each carry a different perspective and approach that contribute to this balance in our films. Where Dave is likely to get your grandma to belly laugh on camera or your bridal party to belt out your favorite song in unison, Caitlin can be caught capturing your mom’s deep breaths while helping you with your dress or the tear falling down your groom’s face when you walk down the aisle.
WHEN IT CAME TO NAMING OUR BUSINESS, WE WENT BACK TO EACH OF OUR OWN ORIGIN STORIES TO FIND WORDS THAT ENCOMPASSED THE UNIQUE APPROACH THAT WE EACH BRING TO OUR WORK.
Dave’s word is “Iron” – a nod to the city he came from just outside of Pittsburgh, PA (also known as Steel City). It’s a tribute to his mother (a single mom of three with an iron will to survive and provide) and grandfather (a decorated WWII Veteran & operations manager at the Steel Mill). Lastly, it’s an ode to his past life as a former career fireman for Anaheim Fire & Rescue. Dave has an enduring strength of character (wedded with a keen sense of humor and innate ability to roll with the punches), a commitment to old-school values and technical excellence, and a “get after it” mentality that translates to his approach as a cinematographer.
Caitlin’s word is “Fern” – a symbol of sincerity and tranquility, known for its ability to adapt in any condition. As a daughter of a missionary family, Caitlin grew up traveling to different countries (with each of her feet often in two different worlds) from Guatemala to Papua New Guinea. Her experiences made her a passionate & empathetic student of the world, a natural listener and observer, and eventually a studied cultural anthropologist and visual storyteller. Caitlin’s approach to cinematography is marked by her gentle and curious nature, her appreciation for beauty in all of our unique differences, and her genuine love for people.
(NO. 04)
MEET THE TEAM
Our team is small but mighty, and committed to providing you a custom one-of-a-kind experience (and an epic film to beat). Not a day goes by that we aren’t grateful for the gift of this– working together to create timeless heirlooms for the amazing humans who invite us in.
OUR OFFICIAL IRON & FERN CREW
MEET THE I&F FAM
(01.)
MEET CAITLIN
Lead editor, B-cam & gentle observer. Loves any chance to remind you to breathe deep, look around and take it all in.
Mary Oliver
Bear Flag ahi poke
Bougie candles
Khruangbin & FKJ
Hyping you up behind her Super 8
Iced coffee & a good thrift hunt
CURRENTLY READING:
PROBABLY EATING:
GUILTY PLEASURE:
ON REPEAT:
ON THE WEDDING DAY:
ON A DAY OFF:
(02.)
MEET DAVE
A-Cam, audio master & your grandma’s favorite vendor. Loves a full dance floor (where the answer to “did you get that?!” is a “hell yes”).
Gear reviews
Meat
Anything with an engine
Deftones & Kendrick Lamar
Interviewing your grandparents
Muay Thai & time with friends
CURRENTLY READING:
PROBABLY EATING:
GUILTY PLEASURE:
ON REPEAT:
ON THE WEDDING DAY:
ON A DAY OFF:
(03.)
MEET KOA
Head of HR, always there to make sure we take our breaks and live a little.
CURRENTLY READING:
PROBABLY EATING:
GUILTY PLEASURE:
ON REPEAT:
ON THE WEDDING DAY:
ON A DAY OFF:
Humans (tough read)
Ground beef or socks
Chasing squirrels
Bob Marley (big reggae guy)
At home (you’re welcome)
What’s a day off?