Melissa Jacobs is a seasoned San Diego photographer with over 20 years of experience specializing in portrait, event, and editorial photography. Her work is rooted in a deep passion for storytelling and connection — capturing authentic moments that reflect the spirit of the people, communities, and causes she photographs.
Known for her warm presence and collaborative approach, Melissa has worked with a wide range of clients, from entrepreneurs and philanthropists to nonprofit leaders and creatives. Her photography brings out the best in every subject, whether through impactful headshots, compelling branding sessions, or vibrant event coverage.
With a portfolio that spans San Diego’s most dynamic people and events, Melissa’s images have been featured in numerous digital and print publications. Her longtime clients — many of whom have partnered with her for over a decade — value her professionalism, creativity, and ability to make even the most camera-shy individuals feel at ease.
Outside of her professional life, Melissa cherishes time with her husband and three children. She finds joy in everyday experiences — walking her dog, cooking, enjoying a good film, discovering new places, and soaking in San Diego’s golden sunsets.
Melissa continues to be inspired by the stories of the people she photographs and is always looking forward to her next creative collaboration.
Jeff Stein has flown over 500 successful and diverse commercial drone pilot jobs since 2016 ranging from documentaries, music festivals and events, live broadcasts, car commercials, real estate, promotional marketing and beyond. One of the most notable drone projects was the live broadcast of the College Football National Championship Halftime Show on ESPN with over 28 million viewers.
In addition, Jeff has been the drone operator for many live performances, including Imagine Dragons, Lil Wayne, ODESZA and, most recently, Olivia Rodrigo’s live performance at the San Diego Rady Shell for a Universal production.
Jeff has also operated during large festivals including BottleRock in Napa and 4XFAR in the Coachella Valley.
Jeff also has experience in high security projects as well, including aerial filming for multiple military contractors and the Navy, including the dry docking of two Navy destroyers on a brand new flagship dry dock by BAE systems.
Based in San Diego, California, Jeff has experience in locations such as downtown San Diego, including Petco Ballpark, San Francisco’s Bay Bridge and financial district, the Port of Oakland, Port of San Francisco, Port of San Diego, San Diego Maritime Museum, Port of Ensenada, the US Border Patrol, military contractors and multiple California State Parks.
Although most of his work is conducted in California, Jeff works all over the country and world, including Canada, Mexico, Greece, Ukraine and Montenegro.
If you’ve ever watched a news story, documentary, or promotional video, you’ve seen B-roll—even if you didn’t know it had a name. B-roll is the supporting video footage that plays while a voiceover, interview, or narration is happening. It helps visually tell the story, adds context, and keeps the viewer engaged.
But why is it called B-roll? And what’s the opposite of it? Let’s break it down.What Is B-Roll? Why It’s Called That (and What the Opposite Is)
The Origin of the Term “B-Roll”
The term “B-roll” dates back to the days of film editing. In traditional editing rooms, editors would work with two rolls of film:
A-roll: The main footage—usually the interviews, talking heads, or primary scenes.
B-roll: Supplemental footage—shots that could be cut in to cover edits, add variety, or illustrate what’s being talked about.
The B-roll literally came from the “B” roll of film used alongside the main “A” roll. Over time, the term stuck, even in our digital era.
What’s the Opposite of B-Roll?
The opposite of B-roll is A-roll—your main footage. In a news segment, the A-roll might be the anchor speaking on camera or an interviewee telling their story. The B-roll would be shots of the location, related activities, or other visuals that support what’s being said.
Think of A-roll as the core message and B-roll as the visual reinforcement that makes the message richer and more compelling.
Why B-Roll Matters in Modern Video Production
High-quality B-roll can:
Make your video more visually engaging.
Cover jump cuts for smoother edits.
Provide context and detail for the story.
Increase the chances of your footage being picked up by media outlets.
Without strong B-roll, even the best interviews or scripts can feel flat.
How F&L Media Can Help with B-Roll Packages
At F&L Media, we understand that sometimes news crews simply can’t attend your event—whether due to scheduling conflicts, travel distance, or breaking news elsewhere. That’s where we step in.
We can produce professional B-roll packages that include:
Crisp, well-framed shots that tell your story visually.
Relevant close-ups, wide shots, and action footage.
Audio clips or natural sound for added atmosphere.
Proper formatting and delivery for newsrooms.
Our B-roll packages are ready-to-use, making it easy for TV stations, online outlets, and social media teams to cover your story without physically being there.
Final Takeaway
B-roll may have started as the “second roll of film,” but in today’s fast-paced media world, it’s essential for telling complete, compelling stories. Whether you’re making a promotional video, pitching to a news outlet, or building social content, strong B-roll is the glue that holds the narrative together—and F&L Media can make sure yours stands out.
Need professional B-roll for your next event? Contact F&L Media today and let us help you get your story seen—even when the media can’t make it in person.
Shooting for Social Media vs. TV or Event Videos: Why It’s Different
When you watch a video on Instagram or TikTok, it’s immediately clear that it doesn’t look or feel like a TV commercial or a video played at an event. The difference isn’t just in the message—it’s in how it’s shot, framed, and delivered. While all three share storytelling fundamentals, producing social media videos is a specialized craft, especially for brands that want results.
The Similarities Between Social, TV, and Event Videos
No matter where your video plays—social media, television, or on the big screen—it’s built on the same foundation:
Clear messaging – Knowing exactly what you want to say.
Strong visuals – Eye-catching imagery that grabs attention.
Professional production value – Quality lighting, crisp audio, and polished editing.
Quality matters everywhere. But the approach changes based on the platform and audience.
What Makes Social Media Video Production Special
1. Aspect Ratios & Formats
TV commercials and event videos typically use a 16:9 widescreen format for big displays. Social media requires more variety:
Vertical (9:16) for TikTok, Instagram Stories, and YouTube Shorts.
Square (1:1) for Instagram and Facebook feeds.
Horizontal (16:9) for YouTube and LinkedIn—still common, but must be mobile-friendly.
Social video production often means planning for multiple versions from the start so your content looks its best everywhere.
2. Audience Behavior
TV audiences are seated and ready to watch.
Event audiences are focused on the presentation.
Social media audiences are scrolling quickly, often with the sound muted.
That’s why social videos need captions, text overlays, and visual hooks to grab attention in seconds.
3. Pacing & Story Structure
TV ads can tell a full story in 30 seconds.
Event videos can build emotion over several minutes.
Social videos often need to get the point across in under 15 seconds—and still make an impact.
On social, your hook in the first 1–3 seconds is everything.
4. Purpose & Context
A television ad might focus on brand awareness. An event video might inspire or celebrate. Social videos often have micro-goals—drive clicks, boost engagement, or spark conversation—working as part of a bigger content strategy.
How F&L Media Creates High-Impact Social Videos
At F&L Media in San Diego, we know creating effective social content isn’t about cropping a TV spot into a vertical format—it’s about rethinking the strategy entirely. We:
Plan for platforms from the very first storyboard.
Shoot for multiple formats so content is optimized everywhere.
Craft scroll-stopping hooks that grab attention instantly.
Adapt storytelling for audience behavior and trends.
Whether you need Instagram Reels, TikTok ads, LinkedIn videos, or a multi-platform campaign, we make sure your message not only looks professional but performs.
Ready to make your social videos as powerful as your TV and event content? Contact F&L Media today to create content that fits every screen—and every audience.
If you’ve ever taken a photo indoors and everyone looked orange, or filmed outside and everything looked icy blue, you’ve run into a white balance problem.
White balance is how your camera decides what “true white” should look like in a shot—and it has a huge impact on the colors in your photos and videos. Get it right, and your footage looks natural and professional. Get it wrong, and even the best composition can look “off.”
What White Balance Actually Does
Every light source has a color—even if your eyes don’t always notice it. Some light is warmer (more orange), and some is cooler (more blue). White balance adjusts for that color so your whites actually look white, and skin tones look natural.
To measure this color, cameras use a scale called Kelvin (K). While Kelvin is technically a scientific temperature scale, in photography and video it simply describes how warm or cool the light is:
Lower numbers (2000K–3500K): warm light, like candlelight or old-fashioned tungsten bulbs
Middle range (4000K–5000K): neutral, like daylight on a cloudy day
Higher numbers (5500K–7500K+): cool light, like noon sun or a cloudy sky
Why White Balance Matters
When your white balance is wrong, you’ll see:
Orange tint indoors under warm lights
Blue tint outdoors in bright daylight or shade
Weird skin tones in portraits or interviews
Correct white balance makes your image feel true-to-life, which is essential in everything from product photography to documentary filmmaking.
Common Lighting Scenarios and Their Kelvin Ranges
Here are a few typical lighting scenarios and their corresponding Kelvin values:
Lighting Source
Color Temperature (Kelvin)
Candlelight
~1900K
Tungsten bulb
~3200K
Sunrise/Sunset
~3000K–3500K
Fluorescent light
~4000K
Midday sunlight
~5500K–5600K
Overcast daylight
~6500K–7500K
Shade or heavy clouds
~7000K–8000K+
How to Use White Balance on Your Camera
Most cameras let you:
Pick a preset (like “Daylight,” “Shade,” or “Tungsten”)—good for quick setups.
Manually set the Kelvin number—best for precise control.
Examples:
Indoors under warm lights? Try 3200K.
Bright sunny day? Around 5600K works well.
Want to fake a golden hour look? Lower your setting to 4500K to warm things up.
Some filmmakers even deliberately adjust white balance for creative effects—cooling down a hospital scene to feel sterile or warming up a café scene to make it cozy.
Matching Lights for Consistency
If you’re using artificial lights like LED panels, many let you choose the exact Kelvin value. Matching all your lights to the same white balance keeps your colors consistent and saves a ton of work in post-production.
Final Thoughts
White balance isn’t just a technical setting—it’s one of the easiest ways to make your images look polished and professional. By understanding how Kelvin relates to the warmth or coolness of light, you can control the mood, accuracy, and style of your visuals.
Next time you pick up your camera, don’t just trust auto white balance. Take a moment to set it yourself—your future self (and your audience) will thank you.
Want more tips on lighting, camera settings, and production tricks? Keep an eye on our site for new blogs or follow us on social media.
