Author: Edmundo

  • Chandler In Focus Show Filming: Breaking Down the Production

    Chandler In Focus Show Filming: Breaking Down the Production

    This episode of Chandler in Focus with Councilmember Matt Orlando looks simple on screen. Tennis, pickleball, and a couple of great interviews. But there was a lot that went into making it feel seamless.

    We filmed this episode over two production days.

    Day one was in the studio. We filmed two separate interviews back to back. One focused on tennis and the other on pickleball. Even though they were separate conversations, the goal was for it to feel like one continuous episode. That meant planning transitions ahead of time and making sure each segment flowed naturally into the field portions.

    In the studio, I used a three camera setup. This gave me flexibility in editing and helped keep the conversations visually interesting.

    Day two was all field production. We filmed at the pickleball courts and the Tennis Center. I used a two camera setup to capture both gameplay and reactions. The goal was to match what was talked about in the studio and bring it to life visually.

    This meant paying attention to details like wardrobe matching, lighting consistency, capturing clean audio on active courts, and getting enough coverage to keep the final edit engaging.

    The biggest challenge was making everything flow. Two interviews, two sports, and two field shoots all had to come together as one cohesive episode.

    If it feels natural and effortless to watch, then the production did its job.

  • Discover: Miss Rodeo Arizona (Behind the Scenes)

    Discover: Miss Rodeo Arizona (Behind the Scenes)

    For this episode of Discover, we focused on the people and the process behind Miss Rodeo Arizona.

    Day one was in the studio. We ran a three-camera setup using Canon C500 cinema cameras, with a director in the control room calling shots and live switching. We film live to tape, which helps streamline editing and keeps post production efficient. It also keeps the conversation natural while giving us clean, usable angles right out of the switch. We filmed two separate interviews, starting with Vice President Lisa Askey, who walked us through the mission of the organization and this year’s “Cowgirl Courage” theme. After that, we recorded our interview with Sarah from the Chandler Museum to highlight their “Pony Up! Cowgirls of Chandler” exhibit.

    Day two, we headed to WestWorld of Scottsdale. In the field, we used two Canon C80s and lit the interview with a pair of Amaran F22 LED panels. After the sit-down, we captured b-roll of 2025 Miss Rodeo Arizona, Annaliese Cooke riding her horse to bring more energy and authenticity to the story.

    Two days. Studio and field. Solid production from start to finish.

  • Behind the Scenes: How We Knock Out 48 Professional Headshots in Just a Few Hours 📸

    Behind the Scenes: How We Knock Out 48 Professional Headshots in Just a Few Hours 📸

    Every quarter, my co-worker and I dedicate time to providing professional headshots for our city employees.

    We create a signup sheet, block off 2 hours, and run tight 5-minute sessions. If demand is high, we expand to 4 hours — which means we’re delivering anywhere from 24 to 48 headshots in a single setup.

    Efficient. Professional. High quality.

    Here’s how we make it happen.


    The Gear We Trust

    We shoot with:

    • Canon R5 Mark II tethered to a MacBook Pro
    • Adobe Lightroom Classic for live tether + quick adjustments
    • Canon 70–200mm f/2.8 (compression + clean background separation)
    • Godox AD600 in a 43” softbox (key light)
    • Godox AD200 in a 26” softbox (hair light)
    • Westcott Eyelighter to fill shadows and bring life back into the eyes

    It’s a simple two-light setup, but dialed in for consistency. Once it’s locked, we don’t touch it.


    The 5-Minute Workflow

    Employees step into the designated area and we guide them through the session.

    We typically take 3 shots with slight pose variations based on their personality and role. Some people want corporate and polished. Others want relaxed and approachable.

    The biggest part of the job? Coaching.

    Most people don’t love being in front of the camera. We ease tension, guide posture, adjust shoulders, fix hands, and give quick direction so they don’t feel awkward.

    After the first 3 shots:

    • We bring them to the laptop.
    • They review immediately.
    • If they love one — we lock it in.
    • If not — we take feedback and shoot 3 more.

    Repeat until they have a final selection.

    All within 5 minutes.

    Fast. Collaborative. Zero guesswork.


    The Editing Process

    Everything is finalized in Adobe Lightroom Classic.

    Once selections are made, we:

    • Adjust crop
    • Dial in exposure
    • Correct color temperature
    • Apply light skin softening
    • Whiten teeth subtly
    • Brighten the eye sclera

    Lightroom’s masking tools make it easy to isolate facial areas and keep edits natural. Nothing overdone. Just clean, polished, professional.


    Why This Matters

    For many city employees, this is the photo that represents them on:

    • Internal directories
    • Public-facing profiles
    • Press releases
    • LinkedIn

    A strong headshot builds credibility and confidence.

    And when you can deliver 24–48 polished images in just a few hours? That’s where preparation and workflow really shine.

    Efficiency + quality = the goal every time.

  • Hello World 👋

    Hello World 👋

    Welcome to my portfolio website.

    I created this space to showcase my professional multimedia work — including video production, photography, and graphic design projects that I’ve had the opportunity to create and collaborate on.

    This site will also serve as a place where I share updates on current projects I’m working on, behind-the-scenes insights, creative process notes, and lessons I learn along the way.

    Whether you’re here to view my work, connect professionally, or simply explore, I appreciate you stopping by.

    More to come soon.

    — Edmundo Mendez