Meet Francis Sylvest | Colorado Wedding Videographer and Photographer

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

Hi Francis, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
The end goal for me is to retire doing wedding photography and videography. I know this is a very foreign concept for most as most people on the photography and videography side of the wedding world don’t last more more than 5-8 years before moving on. However, I really love what I do and it feels much more meaningful than other genres to me. In addition, I feel that it really takes time for a person to master a craft. As I’m nearing 10-years of doing wedding videography and photography professionally, I know that there is so much room to grow and many new ways to shoot. It would be a shame to leave it all on the table and not really experience just how far it could go and how much I could still learn.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Honestly, it’s hard to stand out in the wedding videography and photography world. You’re creating within a very specific time frame and in a very specific way. In many cases, it’s people copying and recycling ideas. However, the part that I love so much is that is will always be different because each couple is so different and unique as people. Then on top of that they design an event that is catered to them and invite a group of people who as a whole will only be together once. Those factors are where it get’s interesting.

From there, it’s all about the sights and sounds of the day. I have really found success and good feedback from couples when I opt to remove the traditional vow overlay on a wedding video and instead put in ambient audio of the day. I really love this concept as it really brings people back to the moment – even more so than just hearing the vows read. In addition, shooting more 16mm and super 8 film has really brought things to life. From the timeless look and then adding the natural sounds, it’s quite the nostalgic combination.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since moving to Colorado in 2018, my wife and I have always lived near Boulder and really love the area. We’re pretty simple people for the most part – give us good coffee, some pastries, a nice place to sit and talk and we’re set. I’d start out by going to either The Coffee Ride or Beleza Coffee Bar in Boulder and then taking a walk out at Flatirons Vista or Coot Lake. If we’re going the pastry route, I’m 100% driving down to Denver to go to Reunion Bread and cleaning house then heading over to the Botanic Gardens for a nice afternoon.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Lot’s of people deserve credit for where I am today. From my friend Jordan who took me out to show me how a camera works nearly 15 years ago, to my other good friends Sam, Lauren, Travis, Mark and many, many, others. It simply wouldn’t be possible without them or their encouragement.

Website: https://francissylvest.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afsylvest/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-sylvest-110b12126/

Twitter: https://x.com/AFSylvest

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coloradoweddingphotographer

Other: Google My Business: https://g.co/kgs/Ff7ZwDn
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/coloradoweddingphotographer/_created/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@afsylvest

Image Credits
Francis Sylvest