Toma Dos Videography: An Interview With Michael Rangel

Michael Rangel of Toma Dos Videography has been providing documentary style wedding videography in Sayulita and the surrounding areas for over 6 years. In that time, he has shot over 130 weddings.

How did you get into it?

Pretty much by accident – I always enjoyed shooting video. One day a friend asked me to document his wedding so I did, and it came out pretty decent so I decided to go for it as a business. Since my brother studied photography, he taught me most of the rules and principles of the photography world. Since then it has been an ongoing learning process.

Where are you from? Where do you live now?

I’m from Mexico City, but grew up in Guadalajara, and have now been living in San Pancho for the past four years.

What do you enjoy most about working in Sayulita?

Sayulita is a place where cultures meld and appreciate each other, and the nature around them - that is exactly what weddings in this place reflect. I love shooting weddings here because they are real and unique. They are simple yet special. People here are pretty much always relaxed and looking forward to celebrating their union as a couple together with family and friends. That’s always fun to capture. Plus, the scenery is awesome and everything is colorful.

Where is your favorite place to shoot video in Sayulita and why?

For shooting weddings, I highly enjoy Don Pedro’s Palapa. It has the nicest view and light is awesome pretty much at any time of the day. Also, playa Los Muertos is perfect for taking extra shots.

Will you describe one of your favorite videos that you've made in Sayulita. What is it about this video that makes it a favorite?

It’s hard to pick one. If I had to choose, I would say it is Yvette’s and Nick’s wedding last October at Don Pedro’s Palapa. It was a cloudy day but not too dark, the wedding was filled with the right amount of people, the style of the ceremony, the colors and the mood of the attendees made it one of the videos that I’ve enjoyed the most while shooting and editing.

What characterizes your style?

I love documenting. My style is based on capturing moments as they come up. Sometimes the bride and groom are distracted and miss out on a lot of the special details they planned for such a long time. My job is to document those details and show them how their event was enjoyed by themselves and their guests.

Why should someone hire you?

I love my job and work very hard to deliver the best service.  I know being filmed can be overwhelming for some people so I know that an important part of getting good shots is to get along with clients, and to make them feel comfortable in front of a camera and me. Also, since I live here, I know where to find awesome spots to shoot.

Do you work alone or do you have a team?

I usually work with a team to ensure I capture every single important moment.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

When a bride cries with joy after seeing their video, I feel really happy.