WEDDING VIDEOS - WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY

HOW TO SELECT A WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER

Wedding videos have become an increasingly popular option for capturing the special moments of your very special wedding day.  Current digital video technology allows you to capture still wedding photographs from a digital wedding video that would normally be missed. Plus, you have the ability to transfer your digital wedding video to CD or DVD.  A variety of creative post-editing options are also available including titles, music and special effects that can help to create an entertaining wedding video that captures the most important moments of your wedding with the look of broadcast quality TV!  The videos and photos of your wedding are both areas where you should always hire the best that your budget will allow. 

WHEN TO START LOOKING
Just like photographers, wedding videographers have a limit when it comes to the number of weddings they can shoot on a specific day.  For that reason it is wise to start looking for a videographer 9 to 12 months prior to the event if possible.  Some of the better wedding videographers can be booked 1 to 2 years in advance.

WHERE TO START LOOKING
You can ask friends, relatives and work associates for recommendations.  You can also check with wedding ceremony and reception facilities to see who frequently provides the service at their facility.  Numerous resources are also available in the local yellow pages, on the Internet, and in local publications.  The best way to start is to start making a list of videographers, keeping in mind that the largest ad doesn't necessarily mean the best quality service.

HOW TO START LOOKING
After you have made a list of wedding videography suppliers you will want to call them to gather general information, and to hopefully weed out those that may not offer what you are looking for. Inquire about date availability, types of wedding video packages offered, prices, experience, type of equipment used, editing abilities, references, etc.  Also, ask that a brochure and price list of their videography services be sent to you.  Some may also offer to send you a sample video tape or DVD so you can see examples of their videography work. Take notes during your conversations that include both details covered and the name and your overall impression of the person you spoke to so that you can compare notes after you receive the information by mail.

Once you have received the brochures and pricing information pull out your notes and compare the information you have to determine which videographers seem to offer the best services and the overall best value.  These are the wedding videographers that you will want to visit so can make a final selection.

When you meet with the videographers you will want to speak to the person who would be taping the video your wedding and you will want to see examples of their work.   Keep in mind that some videography services hire a number of videographers to do the taping and show you samples of only the best work - which may not be by the specific videographer you are speaking to.

Some videographers offer different packages with different time limits on the onsite video taping while some simply charge for time spent taping and editing the wedding video.

Here are some options to consider;

Raw Footage -
Is basically a wedding video from the start of the wedding ceremony to the end of the wedding reception without editing.  Although it is the least expensive option, it is usually long and rather boring since there will be a lot of uninteresting content that is included.

Edited In Camera -
Rather than recording from start to finish, the video camera is turned off during periods when there is uninteresting content - or portions of tape or digital memory containing uninteresting content is recorded over. 

Wedding Documentary -
Tells the story of the wedding day starting with behind the scenes shots and progressing through the wedding ceremony up to the end of the wedding reception when the bride and groom leave.  Interviews with family and friends may be included.  To create this type of wedding video, post-editing is necessary.

Nostalgic -
Can start with photos of romantic or special moments spent together that are followed a video of the ceremony and reception.  Sometimes additional photos from the honeymoon are also edited into the video.  Post-editing is required to create this type of wedding video.

Wedding Highlights -
A condensed version of the special moments of the day that is post-edited down to a finished product of 15 to 30 minutes in length. 

Custom Post-Editing - 
A custom edited wedding video can be created to your specifications from raw footage video.

When you view the videographer's samples, look carefully at the quality.  Note the lighting, the colors, the camera angles, whether the image is steady or shaking and the clarity of the sound.  If special effects are used, notice whether the effects and transitions are smooth and seamless.  Take note of the general style and whether the shots look uncomfortable and posed or relaxed and natural.

SMART QUESTIONS
Remember, just like photographers, each videographer has different creative styles and capabilities. Although you will have to trust your videographer's capabilities, you should be hesitant about contracting any videographer who seems "fixed" on a specific style that you are not thrilled about.

Looking at the videographer's sample tapes and having a thorough conversation with the videoographer will help you determine if his/her style will match your expectations. Remember, personality is also an important factor in the selection of a videographer since he/she will be interacting with you and your wedding guests throughout the ceremony and reception.   If they appear to have a manner or an attitude that you think will not mesh with you and your guests, go somewhere else.

During your conversations with the videographers you should explain what types of scenes and the style of video that you are most interested in and find out what he/she recommends.  Also, outline the "must have" scenes that you have in mind.

In addition to experience, the type of equipment is vitally important to the overall quality of your wedding video.  Have the videographer explain to you the types of equipment that they use - both for taping and for editing.   For example, modern cameras that can record in low level light are important and for the best audio quality during the taping of the ceremony a wireless microphone is recommended.  Also, if the videographer offers no editing or only "in camera" editing we would recommend looking elsewhere.

Following are a few "smart" questions that you may want to ask the videographer;

Again...When looking at the video samples, ask who shot and edited the video.  If you like the style of the samples you should be speaking directly to that person. 
Keep in mind that sometimes a videographer may employ other videographers.  If you like the quality or style of a specific videographer be sure that it is specified in writing that it will be that specific videographer who will be doing the taping for you.

How many years of experience do they have as a videographer? 
You should be looking for both experience and talent when it comes to taping weddings.

How many weddings do they shoot each year?
You are looking for someone who is familiar with shooting weddings because they will know from experience how to get the best camera angles, which scenes are the most important, where to place the microphone for the best sound during the wedding ceremony, etc.

How many hours does he/she expect to be on site taping?
The number of hours may depend upon the videography package you select.

How long before the wedding ceremony is the videographer on site?
You will want someone there well in advance of the wedding ceremony so that everything is setup properly before the guests start to arrive.

Do they attend the wedding rehearsal?
This is important to get the proper camera angles, sound and lighting during the actual ceremony. If a documentary style wedding video is desired, the rehearsal may offer some important candid shots.

Have they ever shot a video at the wedding ceremony location or the wedding reception venue?  If not, will they be visiting the locations before the wedding day?
Each wedding location offers unique challenges when it comes to accessibility, lighting, acoustics, etc. and it is important that the videographer is familiar with those challenges. 

Does the wedding videographer ever shoot more than one wedding on the same day?
If so, depending upon the schedule it may severely limit their flexibility on the day of your wedding.

Would the videographer you are speaking to actually be shooting your video?
If not, you are speaking to the wrong person.

What equipment does the videographer provide?

What do they bring as backup equipment in case of equipment failure?

Do they use more than one camera simultaneously to get different camera angles during the ceremony?
TIP - Remember to clear the video taping and camera placement with the ceremony location. 

How do they dress when they tape weddings?
Appearance is important since they will be interacting with your wedding guests.

How am I charged?

Depending upon the selected option, what will the total cost be and what exactly will it include?

How is overtime charged (if applicable)?  If so, get the cost schedule in writing.

Does the videographer retain the master raw footage and/or the master edited tape?
If so this means that you will end up paying the videographer every time that you want a copy. Although most will give you the master raw footage, some will not or they will charge you extra for it.  Check the fees in advance and get them in writing.

If the videographer retains the master, how much does it cost to obtain copies in the future?  Get the cost in writing.

Does the videographer do the post-editing in house or is it contracted out to someone else?  Keep in mind that if they contract it out to someone else, you can take the raw footage to someone else for editing just a easily and probably save money.

Does the videographer have the ability to copy the video to CD or DVD?
If so, what is the cost?  Get the cost in writing.

Can the videographer make selected photos from the either the raw footage video or the edited video at a later date?
If so, what is the cost?  Get the cost in writing.

Does the videographer have any recent references or letters of recommendation from wedding clients that he/she can share with you?
If not, go elsewhere.

Do they have a cancellation policy?
Get it in writing. 

Do they offer a guarantee?
Get it in writing.

THE CONTRACT
NOTE: Before you contract a videographer be sure to check your wedding ceremony location to determine what/if any restrictions exist pertaining to taping the wedding ceremony.  In some instances you may find that videotaping of the ceremony is prohibited.
 
Be sure that all of the details are clearly outlined in writing, including the name of the person who will be shooting the video, the locations and arrival times, a list of "must have" shots, the total cost, the additional costs for copies, to purchase the masters, overtime charges, etc. as well as the cancellation/refund policies, etc.

For added protection, paying with a credit card is not a bad idea either since it can give you significantly more leverage than when paying by cash or check should something go wrong.

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