Our family just received the links for my Father's Interment Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery (USAF, Full Military Honors Ceremony), and all I can say is "wow." Arlington Media met and exceeded all expectations of the final "product." I contacted Mr. Crittenden only about a week before the ceremony. I left him a VM message in the morning and he called me back, same day- at 8:30pm "apologizing" for taking so long to get back to me. Now that we live in NC (the south), I forget how prompt and professional D.C. businesses are. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a call-back from him same day. He was polite, kind, and clearly outlined expectations, pricing, final product options, etc. I didn't ask many questions, as I was (and am) still a mess over my Father's passing. I tried to pay him (most businesses take your money before delivering anything), but Mr. Crittenden informed me that he would not take a dime until *after* the Interment, and *after* the work was done. What I did find out was that the credit card was run, I think, on or around the day of the Interment. And yes, wait time was about a month (a little less), but editing takes awhile. And I certainly didn't want him cutting any corners just to rush a product that, honestly, I will have for the rest of our collective lives (and generations to come) to view. So in sum, they will charge you around the day of the ceremony, and for us, it took roughly three weeks to receive the links for both photos and video.
On the day of the ceremony, I met with Mr. Crittenden about an hour before the Chapel service. He introduced himself, and handed me his card. Then he started working (setting up equipment, figuring out the best angles to video the service- what he was doing became evident once you receive the final product). There are two video cameras, so you have two angles to view the ceremony. There were closeups of the eulogy and Chapel service, and the second camera was set up by the Chapel main entrance/exit, so you could see all of the extreme detail that goes into a full military honors ceremony.
Product quality- amazing. I paid three times as much for wedding photos (photos only) and they didn't even come close to the quality and artistry that these photos and video possess. Like another Reviewer stated- when you are actually participating/attending an Interment, you miss a lot of the detail of the ceremony that our Servicemen display. You're waiting in the Old Post Chapel while your loved one is being carried from the Hurst to the Chapel. The level of detail is breathtaking- every step is choreographed, and sadly, you miss all of this unless you hire excellent professionals who can blend in and capture every single angle. Mr. Crittenden (who was our videographer) and his photographer did it all- they took excellent still shots, and the video (coming from two video cameras) were amazing. The transitions between Chapel ceremony and burial ceremony were magnificent. I believe Mr. Crittenden and his photographer literally jogged the entire 1 1/2 mile distance (from the Chapel to my Father's gravesite), recording and photographing everything: the horse-drawn carriage, the band, the Honor Guard- just everything- with perfection and dignity. We were all in the Limo traveling this distance, and, as I looked out the window, I could see Mr. Crittenden jogging the entire distance with his equipment. I was impressed. Of course, I forgot everything until I received the link last night. Viewing the video took me back to that day. And it did not make me sad, like you would think. But rather, when I saw the video, it makes me so proud of my Father. What a priceless momento that has been captured.
I've only seen my Mother cry three times in her 80 years of life- once at the Interment, and once when she viewed the video. It brought us both to tears. I forwarded the links to my Father's old Friend who was unable to attend, and he later told me he was in tears over the video. It's that good.
I cannot recommend Arlington Media enough. Let me address some of the customer service criticisms. Mr. Crittenden is a quiet, reserved type of individual (I think- I don't really know him personally). I always found him very polite, extremely accessible, and 100% professional. But he's not a chatterbox. But he is 100% professional- and he produces. Some people may not mesh with your personality, but that doesn't mean they don't do good work. So if you find yourself wondering if Mr. Crittenden will produce an excellent final product with your hard earned money (because yes, it does cost a lot), all I can say is an emphatic "yes." This experience was worth every penny- after all, how can you really put a price tag on some of the final moments you'll ever spend with your Father (or loved one)? Arlington Media delivered an excellent product, and they did so within a reasonable time period. Again, I give them the highest rating- you will not be disappointed. read more