May 5, 2009 by Ivan Windon
Wedding Videography
How important and what to look for
by Julianna Huffmann
A woman’s wedding day is one of the most important days of her life. It is definitely a day that we all want to remember every detail of. But we can’t do that alone. As the center of attention on a day that will be a whirlwind of activity, there will be moments that we are just going to have to miss. That is where a professional videographer comes in. As a bride to be myself, I have considered the pros and cons of having a videographer capture my special day on video. Believe me, the pros outweigh the cons. But what should brides look for in their videographer?
First of all, you want a videographer that knows what they’re doing. This translates to a professional. Look for one that is a member of an accredited association, such as WEVA. I know that WEVA holds their members to very high standards and provides continuing education to make their videographers even better. Experience is also crucial. How long have they been in the business? You don’t want to hire someone who’s very first job would be YOUR wedding.
It might also be helpful to look at client reviews. You want to watch for comments that talk about their behavior. Were they too casual or were they unobtrusive and professional. A good videographer knows how to get the best shots without making a scene.
Do the videographers you are looking at have a demo reel? You definitely want to see examples of their work. You may not like their particular style or the shots that they get. Watching clips from other weddings that they have filmed will give you an idea of whether or not their style meshes with yours.
Consider what exactly you want your video to be like. All videographers have different styles. Do you want something more like a documentary, or something more cinematic? Watch a few different clips and decide what you like.
Something else to consider is what kind of equipment the videographer films with. You don’t want to pay lots of money only to have your wedding shot with a camera purchased from Wal-Mart. Also, what kind of editing would you like? Do you want the raw footage of your wedding, without editing? Or would you prefer to have a specially edited version of your day.
I have spoken with several brides that made the mistake of not hiring a videographer at all and wish they had. But don’t go out and just hire anybody. Photography and videography are two of the most important things to spend your money on. My advice is not to skimp. You want to hire the best because these are the memories that last a lifetime. You might need to adjust your budget to allow for a better video package. That might not seem very agreeable right now, but think long term. You want a video that captures every special moment that you can watch for years to come.
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