Why should I have a professionally produced video? We’re already getting pictures, they say, “Why do we need a video?” A good video will tell a story of your special day from a perspective that you could not have seen yourself. Pictures are great, and everyone should have them, but a video is a way to remember your wedding with life, sound, music, and fun. Those are things you can't get from just a photograph.
If you have made the decision to have a professional video of your wedding or other event produced, or you are considering it, these are a few things you should be looking for in your videographer and questions to ask.
- Experience/credentials - How long have they been a wedding videographer? Do they have a degree? Are they a member of any credited bridal association such as WEVA?
- References - It is important to ask for a couple of client references. They can show you some great videos, but it is also important to look into their professional conduct at the ceremony and reception. You don’t want someone misbehaving when they are visible to everyone at your ceremony and mingling with guests at the reception.
- Examples - You need to make sure they show you examples of their work-complete examples and not just a highly edited demo reels.
- Style - What is the videographer’s style? Documentary, cinematic or contemporary MTV-style? Everyone does their job differently and you don’t want someone who will simply follow your photographer around and do what they do. The point of having a video is to remember and see things differently that your photographs did not show.
- Equipment - What type of cameras do they use? There is a huge variety of video equipment out there from the basic home edition models, to broadcast quality professional equipment. You don’t want to pay someone $1000 or more if they are using a camera they bought at Wal-Mart for $300. You are not getting the professional quality you deserve.
- Videographer - Who will actually be at your wedding? Some companies have many videographers and you aren’t always talking to the one that will be at your event. If that is the case, make sure to speak to the one who will be to ensure they have the same credentials and ideas that you are looking for.
- Editing - Will your package include an edited version or an unedited version of your wedding or event? Some companies will charge you the same amount of money for a one copy unedited version of the event as another would for three edited versions. Which would you rather have? How do they edit-using professional level editing software or consumer-level software that came bundled with their computer.
- Prices - Most packages that you will come across include at least one camera at the ceremony and reception, a few copies of your edited production, and some extras (depending on the videographer) for a range of between $1500 and $3000 for a wedding.
I hope that helps you weigh some of the different considerations to reflect on before signing the agreement. God’s blessings on you as you plan your event, and as always, please don’t hesitate to call should you have questions or need extra guidance.
Blessings,
Chris
