We found this video on YouTube recently. In it, a couple discuss their decision not to hire a wedding videographer.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP0UHCVyvtU]

It goes without saying that having video at your wedding is a decision that you will never regret.

One comment that I often get from couples is that they will always have memories of loved ones who are now gone. That is one thing that your wedding video will do. There is much more though. What about the vows, the minister’s sermon, the readings? What about the best man’s toast? No matter how many pictures you have of your wedding, without video you can never hear those words again.

I will relate a story here about my own wedding. We didn’t want to pay for video, but we had a friend shoot with my camera (a Canon GL1). The resulting video was shaky, with poor audio, but because it was a very small church and reception location, at least the day was preserved on tape. I am happy that we do have a video. One of the bridesmaids gave a beautiful reading, and the minister did a funny, upbeat sermon. If we just had photography, we could never hear any of that again. I mentioned that because of the small size of the church, we had intelligible audio. But just barely. Two of our friends sung a song that they had written. But it came out too distorted to listen to. This is why we should have hired a professional. So say the least, this is before I became a videographer, although editing my wedding as well as my sister in law’s wedding the following year, got me thinking about wedding videography.

I am not discounting preserving the memories of those who are no longer with us. My father passed away last month, and although he really didn’t play much of a part in our wedding, at least I have him in the video when he was still vibrant and healthy.

So when you think about whether you can afford video, remember, while your photos will preserve the look of your wedding day, nothing but video can preserve the words.

Too many couples today choose not to have a video of their wedding because they have heard “that it will be obtrusive”. Often this is because they heard a story from a friend or relative who had a bad experience in the past. Most of this comes from the 1980s and 90s. At that time cameras were less sensitive, and larger. So it wasn’t uncommon for the videographer to use large lights for their big shoulder mount cameras.

Today it is much different. Our cameras are smaller and much more sensitive. Videographers are more sensitive too. We know that it is your day, not ours.

Every videographer is different, but here are a few things that we do to maintain a low profile.

• Minimal lighting. For wedding ceremonies we only use the light that is already there. This is true of most videographers today. While we usually have to use additional lighting at most reception locations (these are often very dark), this is usually a small (10 watt) light mounted on the camera.
• Respect. We often encounter reluctance from the clergy about video during the wedding ceremony. This as mentioned above, is sometimes the result of a bad experience in the past. While we want to place our cameras where we can get the best shots, we always work within the limitations placed on us by the venue. This may mean filming from the balcony, or off to the side. Even when we don’t have any limitations, we prefer to have two of our three cameras tripod mounted at all times during the ceremony. The tripod mounted cameras stay put. The only time they are moved is if our view is blocked. During the ceremony we always keep our distance. That is what zoom lenses are for.
• We wear dark clothing at a wedding. This doesn’t seem like it would do anything, but we have found that it really helps us to remain inconspicuous.
• As videographers we do not have to interact with the wedding party as much as the photographer. So we will not pose people, or ask them to look at the camera. We prefer to work with the photographer when shooting formals rather than duplicate their efforts.
• Speaking of photographers, it is important to know where they are and not get in their way. While I admit that I haven’t always been successful, I make sure that I maintain an awareness of the photographer’s location. I expect the same of them (only a few photographers have ever been a problem).
• At the reception we can be somewhat looser. However we are much closer to the guests here and have to respect them. One thing that I like to do is to be mobile during the main dances. I will not go on to the dance floor unless the couple agree to it (most do). The same thing goes with using a light. While I highly advise using one, I won’t if the couple doesn’t want it.
• We are at the reception to work, not party. While we are happy to talk to guests, we avoid joining the party. You will only find us at the bar to get a soft drink.
• We never stick a microphone in a guests face and ask them to say something. In fact we only do interviews outside of the main reception room, and only with guests who come to us (we ask the DJ to make an announcement that we are doing interviews). Also interviews are only conducted if specifically requested by the couple.

This is the way we work. Your videographer may be different. The important thing is that if you have any concerns, to express them to your videographer. We will make sure that we respect your wishes. We will also let you know if there will be any impact how your video will turn out.

Second in a series

You have picked out a videographer who you would like to know more about and have arranged a meeting. As I explained in the first part of this series, a meeting is not strictly necessary. If you feel comfortable with your choice, or it isn’t practical to arrange a face to face meeting (you are booking someone in another city for example), you might be doing everything over the phone. Even if you do, this article will still be relevant.

You might have the meeting at the videographer’s studio, in your home, or at another location (coffee shops are popular). First impressions are important. Is this someone who you would like to have with you on your wedding day? They don’t have to be the life of the party. I am much more of an introvert than an extrovert. That works for many couples though, as I prefer to stay out of the way and let my camera tell the story.

If you haven’t seen samples of the videographer’s work, now is a time to do it. Is their style what you want? Does it look and sound good. If you have a hard time hearing people, if the camera work is shaky and unfocused, or if the editing is choppy, you might want to look elsewhere. Ask if they have a video that was done at your ceremony or reception location. If they do, you can get an idea of how it will look in your video.

Ask how long it will take to get your DVDs. If you are getting a basic video in the off season, it might only take a few weeks. However it could take several months. Many videographers are heavily booked during the peak season, and it takes quite a few hours to edit everything, particularly if you are getting a high end package. So don’t be surprised if they say six months or more. I normally deliver the DVDs within two to four months after the wedding, depending on the package and my backlog.

Ask about payment plans.  Most videographers require that a deposit or retainer fee be paid to reserve the date. This typically varies from 20 to 50 percent. Some videographers require that the balance is paid before the wedding date, others before they begin editing, and some when the DVDs are delivered.

Most videographers prefer that editing decisions be left to them. You should certainly inform them of any special request, such as including a favorite aunt in your video, as well as anything that you do not want. However once we start editing, we prefer to edit in our style. We will usually make corrections such as misspelled names or other minor corrections if notified right after delivering the DVDs, but it is impractical to make major changes. If we do, we will charge for it.

You should ask if your videographer carries liability insurance. Not only is this a sign that he or she is a professional, but some reception venues require it. There was an example on one of the bridal shows last year where a couple had hired a uninsured photographer. When the reception location told them that vendors would have to have insurance, they were forced to get someone else.

When you have decided on a videographer, the next step will be to sign the contract and pay the deposit. Read the contract before signing. It explains what is expected and what is not. You should also know what the terms are if you have to change or cancel the date. In most cases the retainer fee is non-refundable unless the videographer can get another booking on that date.

First in a series. 

If you are a bride or groom and you are reading this, you are most likely considering a videographer for your wedding. How do you find the right one? To start with, every couple is different, and an important thing is to find someone who’s style and personality is compatible. The other important factor is choosing someone who they can count on to deliver a quality product. Therefore a good starting place is to ask friends who have had video at their wedding if they would recommend their videographer. If they do, ask to see your friend’s wedding video to get an idea of the videographer’s style. Styles change however. The work that I was doing two or three years ago is different than what I do now. Most of us evolve as we learn new things and gain experience.

If you have already hired your photographer, ask him or her for a recommendation. Photographers will often recommend someone who they work well with. Reception venues can also be a source of recommendations.

The next place to look is on the web. Search for local videographer’s websites. If they have video, look at what they offer. If they post prices, you will have an idea whether or not you can afford them. Overall the web is the best source of leads, as most videographers have a website, and many do most (or all) of their advertising there. Don’t forget to visit some of the commercial web portals like WeDJ for a list of videographers. These often have direct links to individual websites.

Another place to find a videographer is the local bridal show. Not every videographer goes to these, but there are usually a few. The nice thing about a bridal show is that you can talk to them and get an idea whether they will be who you are looking for.

Local bride’s guides can also be consulted. These as well as other print publications are much less popular than they were a few years ago, and you will not find as many companies to choose from.

Once you have picked out a few companies, the next step is to call or e-mail. Make sure that you let them know your wedding date so they can check their availability. But don’t ask the price just yet. Listen to what they can do for you. You might find that the person you are talking to is someone worth spending more on than you had originally budgeted. If they do not have any video on their website, or you can’t view their videos (this often happens if you don’t have a fast Internet connection), ask for a sample wedding or demo DVD. The preference here should be for a complete wedding video where you can view the full product, but if a demo is all that they can offer, request that. Some videographers will request that you visit them at their studio to see their work. There is nothing wrong with this. Many videographers have spent a significant amount of money to display their videos in the best possible environment.

If you want to proceed further, arrange a meeting. This may take place at the videographer’s studio, your home, or over coffee at the local Starbucks, wherever you are comfortable. Most videographer who maintain a storefront studio will want you to meet them there. Many top notch videographers have home based businesses however. In this case you might be meeting them at your home or an intermediate location.

In the next post I will talk about meeting your videographer and what to ask.

You may prefer to do everything over the phone. This is OK if you are comfortable with your videographer, especially if they are someone who was recommended to you. I have booked many clients without meeting them. Occasionally I have not met my clients until the wedding day (although I prefer to get to know them ahead of time). I have also booked clients without even a phone call. Everything was done via e-mail. I do not recommend this however. You should at least talk to them directly.

In the next post, I will discuss what to ask at the meeting.

Couples calling us often ask “what is the Wedding Highlights Program”? Here is an example. The Wedding Highlights Program distills the wedding day down to 20 to 30 minutes of video that more than anything, captures the true feeling of the day.

This is from a wedding that we did last summer. It is 24 minutes in length.

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The Wedding Highlights program is included with our Deluxe Package. Call us for more information at (610) 280-0288.

More examples of our work can be seen here on our Gallery Page.

One thing that we sometimes hear from couples who do not want video is that they don’t want any bright lights shining in their face. This misunderstanding comes from the early days of event video when cameras lacked the sensitivity that they have today. Modern equipment is not only smaller than a decade ago, but much more sensitive. There is almost no situation short of a candlelight ceremony where we would have a hard time shooting without additional lighting. Even darker churches usually have enough light for a good image.

Receptions are another story however. It is common for reception locations to turn down the lights so low that if we go with just the light in the hall, we will get nothing but dark grainy images. We just can’t shoot in the dark and expect to get anything worthwhile.

I always advise my clients that I would prefer to use a small on-camera light during the reception. Of course the more light that there is in the room, the less light that I will need to use. Another thing that I request is that they talk to the banquet manager about leaving the lights up for the introductions and main dances. If they do, we can often dispense with the light for these. Unfortunately this is sometimes not communicated to the staff and the lights are turned down anyway.

There are some videographers who bring in lights mounted on stands to light up the dance floor. We do not do that as it would create a safety hazard as well as ruining the atmosphere. But having some additional light is a given at most receptions. I usually use a 10 watt light on top of the camera. It doesn’t flood the room, but provides just enough light to make the image pop.

Both the videographer and photographer work harder than any other vendors on your wedding day. We are there from the time the bride is getting ready, to the end of the reception. That can often be a 12 hour day. When we leave our work has just begun. Videographers have anywhere from 20 to 80 hours of capturing video, editing, and making DVDs. Photographers spend a similar amount of time working on the photos.

You can help make our day better with a few simple tips:

• If you are planning both photos and video, let the photographer know that you are having both. While videographers usually assume that there will be photography, photographers don’t always do. The vast majority of photographers and videographers work well together, but there is a small minority who don’t. If you have any objections, you should consider hiring someone else.
• Let your photographer and videographer know when events are occurring during the day. If we don’t know about the special toast that your uncle will be giving during dinner, we can’t cover it. You can appoint a member of the bridal party to keep us informed.
• Let us know who is special to you. If you have an elderly grandparent who you really want photo and  video of, let us know.
• Meals. We work a long day. It is considered good form to make sure that all vendors who will be at the reception are fed. The photographer and videographer should eat when the guests eat, as this is when there is not many photos or videos being taken. As mentioned above, make sure that if something does occur, that we know about it beforehand.
• We don’t expect tips, so don’t feel that you have to. But we do love a compliment. Let us know if we did a good job. The best compliment of all is a referral. If you like our work, recommend us.

Most professions have their organizations. Wedding videography is no exception. We currently have two, the Wedding and Event Videographers Association International (WEVA) and the 4Ever Group. Both of these groups represent the interests of the wedding and event videography industry. Both have annual conventions. Many videographers (myself included) belong to both. What they do not require however, is any form of professional certification or licensing. WEVA does offer a certification, but few have obtained it. Anyone who calls him or herself a professional videographer can join.

Does this mean that being a member of these groups says nothing about the professionalism of your videographer. Not necessarily. For one thing, membership dues are high enough that someone who is not making a serious commitment to this business is less likely to join. The other thing is that both organizations put a major effort into education. The 4Ever Group has their convention in January (just concluded), and WEVA has theirs in August (with a second smaller show this month). These are incredible opportunities to learn and to take event video to a higher level. I always say that the couple who’s wedding I am editing right after the WEVA Expo is lucky, for they are the first to get the benefit of all that I have learned there. Like any profession, education never ceases.

Besides WEVA and 4Ever Group there are a number of local organizations. These in my opinion, are even more valuable than the national organizations. For it is here that videographers really exchange ideas and learn from each other. As a group, event videographers are very open. The good ones do not feel threatened by their competition. As a result, ideas flow freely. In Philadelphia our local organization is the Greater Philadelphia Videographers Association (GPVA). It is one of the largest and most active in the United States. GPVA’s membership is also one of the most talented. This year four of our members made the EventDV 25 list of the top 25 event videographers in the world (Dave Williams, Tim Sudall, Glen Elliot, and Darrell Aubert). That raises the bar for all of us. I have learned from all of them, and it makes me better at my own work.

Finally there are the online forums. While these don’t qualify as professional organizations in the classic sense, they are a fantastic source of information. I have learned as much if not more here than from WEVA or GPVA. If your videographer frequents them, they will be ahead of the game. The two main ones are Video University, and WedVidPro.

Does all of this mean that if your videographer is not a member of a professional organization that they are not as good as someone who is? No. There are a lot of excellent videographers who for reasons of their own, do not want to join. The point here is that being an active member of an organization (or online forum) indicates a desire to improve one’s skills and professionalism.

This past Saturday (1/26/2008) we rolled out our new website design. The content is mostly the same but has been redone for easier navigation. Our sample videos are now in an integrated player that allows the user  to select any video without leaving the page. The blog has been integrated into the rest of the website with the same look and feel. We are now using WordPress as a Content Management System which will allow us to update the site frequently.

We hope that you like it.