20 Tips on How to Select a Good Wedding Videographer

FAQ's

1. How much do wedding videos cost?

Wedding videos vary in cost for various reasons. Quality of equipment, experience of the videographer, etc. Save yourself time and your prospective videographer. Tell him your budget. If he/she tapes high end starting at $2000, he may be able to recommend a low or midrange competitor. A mid range videographer will verify what services you desire to meet your budget. A low end videographer enjoys producing a fun project at a low price.

2. Why are video packages to confusing?

Yes, wedding video packages can be confusing. Some videographers charge by the hour or by the services provided. Make it easy on yourself and make a list of what you want. Rank the items and share it with your budget to your prospective videographer.

3. What's the advantage of multiple cameras?

Multiple cameras offer many angles of your wedding, especially the ceremony. Multiple cameras also offer more interesting footage of your guests enjoying themselves on your special day. Mid to higher end packages offer more cameras. Be creative, put out inexpensive video cameras on the tables at the reception and ask your guests to get footage, then contract with your videographer to edit the useable footage into your final video.

4. How can I get a better price?

Ask for it upfront, However, establish a budget based on the footage you want. Many videographers are able to offer a better price if they have clear ideas as to what you want so they can budget their time and efforts accordingly. Many videographers may be able to offer a better price if you pay in advance. Also, many videographers may offer a better value by bonus segments if they have extra footage that is content rich.

5. How soon can I get my edited wedding video?

Many videographers request one to two months to produce a polished video. Feel free to negotiate for this service. If you're more interested in content than style or quality, let your videographer know up front. If you want simple ask for it. Keep in mind that videographers make videos for a living and take time to produce high quality work to reinforce their reputation for good work.

6. My uncle has a videocamera, why not let him videotape my wedding?

You can save money by having a relative tape your wedding, but do they understand the 'rule of thirds", composition, backlighting, lavalier microphones, and tripods. If your relative understand all the concepts in this Q&A, then by all means, they are most likely qualified to videotape your wedding.

7. Is an edited video better?

Generally speaking, an edited video is better, if that's what you, the client desires. In twenty years, you just want to see the basics. Request the master tapes so you can view all the footage to recall the entire day if you desire.

8. How can you get good sound of the vows during the ceremony?

There are some inexpensive ways to get good audio to record the vows.. Ask your videographer about wireless mics that the Groom can wear. Also, the videographer may be able place a wired mic on the altar with the minsters permission.

9. Will the videography be obtrusive?

Generally speaking, good videographers blend in to get good video while at the same time know how to glide through crowds to get amazing video. Discuss this upfront with your prospective videographer. A professional will observe the sanctity of the service while performing a service within the guidelines of the venue.

10. Can you cover other related events?

A really good videographer may be able to help you decide on extra footage that will add to the final edited video. One groom recognized everyone at his rehearsal dinner with an anecdote for each person. It provided great video that required decisive editing.

SAQ's

11. How early should the videographer arrive?

Many videographers arrive for the ceremony at least one hour prior. Two hours allows for equipment testing and shot selection. A videographer worth his/her salt will attend the rehearsal for camera placement and discussion with the couple and officiant.

12. Content vs. quality, which is more important.

The adage, you get what you pay for. You balance the quality of the video for the content you get. However, you also balance spontaniety for control. Hollywood movies costs millions for tighly controlled shots and they shoot until they get it right. I wager that content is more important. In twenty years it won't matter that you have a slightly off center shot of your great aunt's radiant smile on your special day.

13. How can you get good sound of the vows during the ceremony?

Many videographers may have the Groom or Minister wear a wireless lavaliere mic, place a wired mic on the altar, or use a shotgut mic mounted on the camera.

14. How can you get steady shots without a tripod?

Technology has made videography easier. Stablization programs inherent in video cameras make shots steadier. Also, good videographers use monopods and other stablizers to get good moving shots

15. Do you tell a story or document the events of the day?

It's your choice. A videographer documenting the events may be able to offer a better videography price whereas you tend to pay more for editing for a video that tells a story. As stated previously, set a budget and consider creative options.

16. Do you use lights?

A good videographer will use minimal lighting under low light conditions but will stage important shots to show radiant faces.

17. What video cameras are best?

Technology has improved single chip quality. However, set you budget and discuss camera quality with your videographer. Three chip camera offer better color balance and resolution.

18. What happens if the videographers camera breaks down?

Generally, a videographer will finish the job at whatever costs. Most will have a second or third camera of some type to get useable footage.

19. How do you deal with white walls, white dresses and bright lights?

Weddings can be a major challenge for a videographer. Much of the event is outside of the control of the videographer who adapts spontaneously. White dresses, white walls and bright lights wash out video, so great care must be taken throughout the entire day to minize these challenges.

20. So how can a couple get a better price on a wedding video?

Establish a vision for your wedding video. Set a budget. Interview two or three videographers. View their demo tape and pay in advance. Many videographers may request referrals. If so, give them really good contacts who will readily contract with the videographer and request a sizeable discount.

Eric Moore of Confetti Video

He can be reached at http://www.winstonsalemvideo.com