TIPS FOR FINDING THE
RIGHT VIDEOGRAPHER
FOR YOUR WEDDING
With many years of experience in producing wedding videos, award-winning
videographer, Danny Sayson answers some of the frequently asked questions
regarding wedding videography.
Should I have my wedding day videotaped?
There's a saying that photography captures the moment, videography, retells
the story. Bride and grooms often tell me how quickly their wedding day
goes by. Having a wedding video will allow the couple, their families,
and future generations to relive their special day as it actually happened.
Only video will allow everyone to experience again and again the sights
and sounds of the bridal procession, the vows, the ring exchange, the
toasts, the first dance at the reception...
Do I need to hire a professional or should I just get some friends
to shoot it with their camcorders?
Just remember that your wedding is a once in a lifetime event. Chances
are, your friends would not have all the necessary experience and equipment
to do a professional job. Professionals today invest thousands of dollars
in digital cameras, good tripods, wireless mics, and editing computers.
Would a professional videographer be obtrusive during the wedding
ceremony?
No. Gone are the days of the bright lights and huge cameras needed to
videotape a wedding. With today's digital technology, cameras and wireless
mics are smaller than ever before. These new digital cameras offer broadcast
quality pictures while requiring very little light, thus eliminating the
need for additional camera lights in most wedding environments. Additionally,
we at Sayson Video Productions always use at least 2 cameras to cover
your ceremony, minimizing our movements during your sacred event.
What is the most important advice you have for someone looking
to hire a professional videographer?
As with any other product or service in the market, prices and quality
will vary significantly. Take the time to look at the work and prices
of at least two to three videographers in your area. This will give you
an idea of the different styles, quality, and price ranges that are out
there.
Price alone is not a good determining factor so be sure to view samples
of the work of the videographer you are considering. Don't just look at
a fancy demo comprised of a videographer's best clips from various weddings.
These demos aren't always representative of a finished product a client
will receive. Ask to see a complete video of an actual wedding that the
videographer has produced.
When asking for a price quote from a videographer, first provide the
date of your wedding to see if the videographer is available on your big
day. To get an accurate quote, provide the videographer with the locations
of your ceremony and reception, and specify how much video coverage time
you need throughout your wedding day.
What should I be looking for when looking at these sample videos?
Look for images that are clear and crisp with accurate colors and proper
exposure. With today's digital technology, images on a wedding video should
rival that of pictures seen in broadcast television. Steady and smooth
camera work are also essential. Good videographers will use tripods or
other stabilization devices. Pay attention to the sound quality of the
video. This is perhaps the most overlooked area when people shop around
for wedding videos. Listen to the vows of the bride and groom and determine
if it is clear and audible. Most professional videographers will use high
quality wireless mics to pick up the sounds of your wedding day.
Videographers shoot and edit differently. When watching the sample videos,
consider if the camera work, editing style and pacing is right for you.
Do I need multiple cameras to cover my wedding?
It is not absolutely essential to have more than one camera covering
your wedding day. However, having two cameras at the ceremony will definitely
enhance your wedding video . For the wedding ceremonies that we cover,
we place one camera in the front and one in the back. This enables us
to show all the action with multiple angles in your edited video. Having
two cameras also helps us to be inobtrusive. Because we don't have to
try to be at two places at one time, we are able to keep our movement
to a bare minimum thus preserving the sanctity of your event.
What other advice do you have in selecting a videographer?
Know exactly what your getting for the price you're paying. Ask the videographer
to specify the following:
- the exact length of the wedding day coverage
- the number of camera coverage provided for each segment of the wedding
day
- what is included in the price (number of DVD's)
- how much additional DVD copies will cost
What are some of the latest trends in wedding videography?
Multimedia presentations in wedding ceremonies and receptions are growing
in popularity. We currently produce music videos and childhood picture
montages of the bride and groom which are projected on big screens at
either the wedding ceremony or reception. We've even shown an "MTV
style" music video of a bride getting ready on a multimedia screen
at the church ceremony just prior to the bride's procession. We also offer
the option of showing the wedding ceremony highlights (often referred
to as the same-day-edit) at the evening reception that same day Videos
are no longer just for posterity. They have become integral parts of actual
wedding ceremonies and receptions.
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