Shutter And Sound

What Shutter And Sound does

Shutter & Sound (legal entity: Forever Stories, LLC, a Maryland LLC founded in 2014 by Ryan Geldermann in Washington DC) is a wedding photography, videography and content creation studio serving engaged couples in 15 US cities. Its core offering spans three services: cinematic wedding films shot on 35mm-style cinema cameras with two-camera crews and centralized DC editing (from $2,900), editorial documentary photography with hand-graded images delivered in three weeks (from $3,100), and phone-first vertical content creation for Instagram/TikTok with 48-hour turnaround (from $1,200). The studio deliberately stays small, curating a tight roster of cinematographers, photographers and editors who work in a single stylistic voice, with one editor assigned per project from start to finish.

The business has expanded beyond commissioned work into two productized offerings: The Kit, a DIY Sony 4K camcorder rental shipped to couples who film their own wedding with the studio editing the footage ($549-$1,249 across four tiers), and Guest Media Collection, a $249 flat-fee QR-code based photo and 60-second video sharing service for wedding guests. All products can be bundled for a 10% discount. Technology under the business is largely conventional: Next.js 15 with React 19 powering the marketing site, Cloudflare R2 for media delivery, Stripe for self-serve checkout, HoneyBook for CRM and inquiry management, and reCAPTCHA for form protection.

Revenue is generated through one-time project fees across all five streams, with premium commissions requiring inquiry-led sales and 9-12 month advance booking, while The Kit and Guest Media Collection are fully self-serve. The studio earns the majority of revenue from US engaged couples purchasing bundled photography, videography and content services at price points ranging from $549 (DIY option) to over $4,600 (full premium commission packages), distributed across 15 metro markets. Geography is currently restricted to the lower 48 US states; the founder retains full ownership with no external capital, and headcount is reported at 1-10 with a curated contractor network supporting local crews.

Name

Shutter And Sound

Legal name

Forever Stories, LLC

Website

https://shutterandsound.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Shutter & Sound is a Washington DC-based, founder-owned wedding photography, videography and content creation studio serving engaged couples in 15 US cities with cinematic films, hand-graded photography, vertical reels, and a DIY camera rental product.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wedding Videography and Photography Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Commercial Photography (541922), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Party Photography & Videography Services (HSACACAH)

Keywords

• Wedding videography
• Wedding photography
• Event content creation
• Cinematic wedding films
• Wedding media services

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Wedding Videography Commissions: Full-service cinematic wedding films with two-camera crew. Three tiers: The Preview ($2,900), The Short ($4,000), The Feature ($4,600+). Includes 35mm look, music-tracked color-graded films, delivered 4-10 weeks depending on package.
2. Wedding Photography: Editorial documentary photography with hand-grading. Starting at $3,100, delivers 400-800+ edited images within three weeks. Second shooter optional add-on.
3. Wedding Content Creator: Vertical social media content - 5-10 reels, raw clips next day, 60-second recap reel within 48 hours. Three editions from $1,200-$1,900.
4. The Kit (DIY Camcorder Rental): Studio-edited camcorder kit rental. Four tiers: The Single ($729), The Double ($989), The Long Weekend ($989), The Long Weekend Double ($1,249), plus Your Phone Our Edit ($549). Includes professional editing by the same studio editors. Damage waiver $59 optional.
5. Guest Media Collection: Wedding photo/video sharing service via QR codes. Flat $249 per wedding with no per-guest fees. Includes QR card templates, 60-second video messages, original-resolution downloads, one-year gallery access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Shutter & Sound is a small Washington DC-based editorial wedding studio that delivers cinematic wedding videography (35mm-style films, two cameras, one editor per project), editorial documentary wedding photography (hand-graded images), and phone-first vertical content creation (Instagram/TikTok reels). The studio also offers The Kit, a DIY Sony 4K camcorder rental with professional editing, and Guest Media Collection, a QR-code-based photo and video sharing service for wedding guests.

Product overview

Shutter & Sound is a wedding photography and videography studio offering three core services: Cinematic Wedding Films (35mm-style, two cameras, starting $2,900), Editorial Wedding Photography (hand-graded, starting $3,100), and Wedding Content Creator (vertical iPhone reels, 48-hour turnaround, starting $1,200). The studio operates in 15 cities with local crews editing through one DC studio. They offer a DIY camera kit product called 'The Kit' ($729-$1,249) for budget-conscious couples who want studio editing without hiring videographers, plus 'Your Phone, Our Edit' ($549) for iPhone-only filming. Their Guest Media Collection ($249) is a QR-based photo/video sharing service for wedding guests. All services can be bundled for a 10% discount. The studio was founded in 2014 (MMXIV) and is headquartered in Washington DC.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wedding Films (Cinematic Videography) Cinematic wedding videography service delivering music-tracked, color-graded films shot on 35mm-style cameras with two-camera coverage and one editor per project. Three tiers from $2,900. For engaged couples seeking editorial documentary-style films.
• Wedding Photography Editorial and documentary-style wedding photography with hand-graded images delivered within three weeks, including full raw archive access. Three editions from $3,100. For engaged couples seeking archival-quality stills.
• Wedding Content Creator (Vertical Reels) Phone-first vertical content creation delivering Instagram/TikTok-ready reels, raw next-day media, and a 60-second recap reel within 48 hours. Three editions from $1,200. For couples wanting social-ready vertical content.
• The Kit (DIY Camcorder Rental with Studio Editing) DIY wedding video kit renting Sony 4K UHD camcorders to couples who film their own wedding with friends/family, with the DC studio producing the finished film. Multiple tiers from $549 to $1,249. Ships prepaid via USPS to the lower 48 states. For budget-conscious couples wanting studio editing without a videography crew.
• Guest Media Collection Wedding photo and video sharing service using QR codes. Guests scan cards to upload phone photos and 60-second video messages to a private gallery; no app required. Flat $249 fee per wedding with no per-guest charges, one-year gallery access. For couples wanting to capture guest-generated perspectives.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000+ weddings captured over decade of operation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The KnotcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured vendor on premier wedding planning platform. Primary discovery channel for commission inquiries. Listed in The Knot Little Black Book of vendors.
• Wedding WirecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured wedding vendor on Wedding Wire platform. Primary discovery channel for inquiries and reviews.
• ZolacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured vendor on Zola wedding registry platform. Primary discovery and booking channel.
• Style Me PrettyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in Style Me Pretty Little Black Book. Featured editorial content on wedding blog.
• HoneyBookcoreTechnology or IntegrationCRM and inquiry management system used for commission booking. Handles correspondence so studio never loses a note. Contact forms route through HoneyBook.
• StripecoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing for The Kit and Guest Media Collection checkout. Handles all e-commerce transactions securely.
• WebFXminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWeb design agency that built the studio's website. Located in Harrisburg, PA. Full-service digital marketing agency.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Knot Marketplace: Largest US wedding vendor marketplace where Shutter & Sound is a featured vendor. Functions as a primary discovery channel for commission work; competes indirectly by aggregating thousands of competing videographers.
• Zola: Wedding planning and registry platform featuring Shutter & Sound as a listed vendor. Serves as a top-of-funnel acquisition channel and indirect competitor through aggregated vendor listings.

Direct peers

• Wieting Films: Long-established wedding videography studio with cinematic editorial style. Comparable in premium positioning, target customer, and multi-service offering.
• Cloudbreak Films: Boutique wedding videography studio with cinematic, music-driven films. Comparable in target customer, geographic reach, and premium positioning.
• Heart House Films: Wedding videography studio producing cinematic films with small curated roster. Comparable in service structure, editing style, and premium pricing.
• Pen Weddings: Luxury wedding videography studio known for cinematic films and editorial style. Comparable in premium positioning, two-camera approach, and music-tracked color-graded output.
• Solaire Films: Cinematic wedding videography studio serving multiple US cities. Directly comparable in target market, cinematic film style, and multi-city coverage model.
• Mason Jar Films: Multi-city wedding videography and photography studio with cinematic films and curated team model. Directly competes in the same price band and creative style.
• Visi Productions: Wedding videography studio producing cinematic films with small team and editorial approach. Comparable in service offering, pricing, and target market.
• Elysian Studios: Boutique wedding videography studio operating in multiple US markets with cinematic editorial style and premium pricing. Directly comparable to Shutter & Sound in target customer, product offering, and creative positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/shutterandsound
• Xx.com/shutternsound
• Facebookfacebook.com/shutterandsoundfilms
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shutter-and-sound

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shutter And Sound