I recently got the privilege this last weekend to work with my friend and an amazing videographer, Antonio Pantoja!
If you do not know Antonio or have not had the chance to work with Antonio you are missing out. Not only is his work amazing, but he such a joy to be around. He is so kind, caring, and ALWAYS so positive. Antonio may look like he has it all together, but just like all of us- he has had some low points in his life, but you would never know it - at least if you worked with him. / Antonio did not/does not let these low points define him. He learned from them and used his experience to help others. Antonio inspires me to be a better person and I hope this blog will do the same for you! If nothing else, I hope this blog will make you want to meet Anotonio (and maybe even want to work with him)
I got to sit down with Antonio and get to know him a little better..check it out! It's a little long- but so worth the read!
What got you into videography? My dad passed away in 2009 and I had a few seconds of video of him about a week before he passed on. I watched it a million times. I realized that video makes you immortal. Your story lives on forever once you are captured.
Shannon: I love this! Memories are a lifetime! I also tell my couples - "wouldn't it be cool to show your kids when they come along or to show at your 50th wedding anniversary!"
How long have you been at it? I think this is my 14th year!
Shannon: You can not put a price on experience! I always tell my couples- you pay for what you get!
Only child or siblings. I have 3 brothers!
Shannon: Holy Cow! That is a lot of milk in one week! I bet that had to be and still is so much fun!
When you are not filming - what do you love to do? I'm super lucky because my job is also my passion! I love shooting photos and videos creatively when I'm not working! I wrote and directed a movie in 2019 that won 126 awards on the film festival circuit and got picked up by Amazon
Shannon: Again, wow. You are so creative. Now this makes a little more sense why your videos feel like a story! You are a storyteller!
Favorite place to travel? I am so lucky that my camera takes me to so many places! I shoot weddings all over the country. But, Colorado Springs is probably the most beautiful place I've ever visited! I am hoping I can go to Iceland one day!
Shannon: Iceland? Very interesting!
If you could be a superhero -who would it be? To me, my father was a superhero! I am trying to be more like him every day although I know I fall short.
Shannon: I have not known you that long and I did not know your father, but trust me you are not falling short. We are our worst critics and I bet your dad would be proud of you!
If you could be an ice cream flavor - what flavor would it be? Oh dang! Tough question! I'd say peanut butter Halo Top so I can still be low-calorie haha!
Shannon: Ditto! Great answer!
What do you love most about filming weddings? Every time I see a couple, it's on the best day of their entire life. All of the people who are there will only be under the same roof one time in history. And the gravity of that is absolutely amazing.
Long after I leave the wedding, I spend 40+ hours editing some of these videos. I fall in love with the couple! By the time I hand them their video and spend 40+ hours-- seeing them so happy on the best day of their entire lives, I give them their video and I tell them that I love them and they probably think that's pretty creepy but it happens by default! But, I know that other people feel that way too. Sometimes I will get people who say "Oh, I LOVE Liz and Corey" and I'll say "How do you know them?" and they reply "I don't! I just saw your video!"
Shannon: So true! I remember the last time my siblings and I were together it was my sisters' first wedding over 15 years ago. The five of us (because we all live in different states) have not been together since! What I would do for a video of this! Also, my close aunt and grandma passed away a couple of years ago, but I still get to see them in MY wedding video!
Other fun facts about you? I've got a crazy backstory and family history. I only have an 8th grade education, used to be homeless, had the widowmaker heart attack last year with only a 7% survival rate. I've been through a LOT. But, I am grateful for all of it. And I've learned that you can either become your family history, or you can OVERcome it. And I am so thankful that I have been able to overcome so many obstacles. Because of that, I've been able to do lots of public speaking and inspire other people who are in art school, graduating high school, or who are currently struggling from all walks of life.
Shannon: If life throws you lemons, make lemonade. You have made a lot of lemonade. I am proud of you my friend! Something else I love about working with you- you never bring your "stuff" with you to weddings. No one (especially not the bride and groom) has NO clue what you are going through. A true professional!
To learn more about Antonio and see his work - check out his website at https://www.antoniopantoja.com/