This island photographer is happy to cover everything from corporate to editorial shoots, but his passion remains weddings

Little girls dream of them, engagements are spent planning their every detail, and ultimately they become one of the most memorable days in the lives of both bride and groom. But after a wedding is over and the happy couple flies off to a honeymoon destination, all that occurred is but a dream, except for two things: photos and video.

Owner and creative director of Premier Digital, Mike Ski, began his role in the entertainment industry as a DJ. From the age of 13, he travelled the world spinning at clubs and making music.

When he reached his mid-twenties, however, Ski started focusing more on gigging private events and weddings. From there he grew interested in other aspects of the wedding business, specifically photography and cinematography. He started from the ground up learning those crafts—album design, video and film-making, and editing. While working for his last DJ company, an idea arose to do multi-media screen productions, same-day-edits, and graphics at weddings and other events—and that was the practical beginning of Ski’s future career.

When asked if he had a partner at Premier Digital, Ski replied that, “Behind any successful man is a good wife. I could never handle all of the day-to-day operations without my wife of over 12 years…Deanna. She handles a lot of the behind-the-scenes operations with the business, and I test all of my new ideas with her first.”

Able to shoot pretty much anything… from private events to babies, corporate meetings to editorial…Ski’s favorite subject, however, remains weddings. He loves the buildup and pre-wedding process, as well as being around the bride and groom and their friends and family on the big day.

“I get to help them remember one of the most important days of their life together,” Ski explained, adding that his crew of photographers, editors, assistants, and cinematographers are all excited to be on board for the event as well. Assembled over many years of work and experience, the team has helped mold the company into what it is today. Ski has even recently taken on an Emmy Award winning cinematographer, which is exciting for the company as a whole.

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“I always say…I’m not a one-man band,” the owner added.

As far as technology is concerned, the biggest trend for weddings, according to Ski, is wedding cinematography. Short films or “trailers” are also much-loved; these can be edited and played at the reception venue for all family and friends to see the night of the wedding, which is very impressive to the client.

“It is also fulfilling for us,” Ski explained.” Because we get to be there to see the reactions of the bride and groom and their guests to our work.”

As for albums, the request is usually for beautiful, one-of-a-kind flush mount and coffee table varieties with a variety of cover options…from glass to canvas to metal finishes. Ski’s business also provides two different photo booths for an added bit of fun. One is the Coney Island vintage sit-down style, the other, their newest “Instabooth,” is an open-air style that integrates Instagram hash tags into the mix.

“When I book a bride and groom, I want them to know I will be there for them leading up to the event, as well as on the day, and thereafter,” Ski explained. “It’s one thing to offer empty promises, but when you deliver time and time again, you’ll have a client for life. They will tell all their friends what great pictures you took and what amazing films you gave them.”

“Of course every bride and groom wants to look like rock stars in their photos, but there is a time to take a family picture here and there, as well as bridal party and cake cutting shots too,” he added, explaining that balance and a reasoned variety of styles and subjects provide the best album results.

Hoping one day that his children love the business as much as he does, Ski shared that, “The future is limitless for our company. I want to continue to shoot and film amazing moments for our couples, and build on our already-stellar reputation in the industry.”

Premier Digital Photography & Wedding Films
169 Main St. / 718.477.5200 / premierdigitalweddings.com