| Where do I start? I receive numerous inquiries | | | | who's life depends on the quality of their work will be |
| requesting information. First, I understand that the | | | | able to provide much more value in the finished video. |
| average person is gathering information to try and | | | | The budget videographers who book scores of brides |
| make an educated decision that is right for them. I'm | | | | at "great prices" absolutely can't afford to invest |
| sure many people only know what they've read in | | | | anywhere near the required amount of editing time |
| numerous wedding magazine articles about wedding | | | | and detail to create a video that compares with what I, |
| videography and photography. I've read most of these | | | | and other talented videographers will provide.Doing |
| articles and they range from generic to sheer | | | | anything above the all-too-common, mediocre wedding |
| nonsense- especially those articles with the checklist | | | | and event videography requires a real skill, a creative |
| of important questions to ask a videographer. What | | | | eye, excellent editing capabilities, and talent. You don't |
| one has to understand is that the person writing the | | | | study and watch videos to be a talented videographer |
| article is not an expert on wedding videography. Until | | | | or photographer. It's like the musician playing a concert |
| they were hired to write an article about wedding | | | | in front of a couple hundred people - either you have it |
| videography or photography to fill the spaces between | | | | or you don't!Shooting the video is only the beginning of |
| advertisers looking for business, they probably knew | | | | the process |
| little more than anyone else on the subject. So, in short, | | | | Creating a finished product that is cinemagraphic, |
| take what you read as a starting point and go from | | | | emotional, romantic, and yet relaxed is an art and |
| there.The first question many people ask - What is the | | | | consideration should be placed on its long term value. |
| cost for a wedding video? | | | | You wouldn't hire a band that can't play.Style - the |
| The short answer is, most good videographers will | | | | most important questionAs you investigate the more |
| start at around $2,000.00. Unfortunately the wedding | | | | talented videographers it will become evident the the |
| industry is full of people with the "get rich quick" attitude | | | | individual personality of the videographer, the quality of |
| that brides are a captive audience. This ranges from | | | | their work, and their editing style will be a major part in |
| the person who went out and bought some video | | | | your decision process. The more talented |
| equipment along with some videos and books on how | | | | videographers will have a wider range of style.When I |
| to make money shooting wedding videos to those | | | | create a video for a client, I consider the person, the |
| "wedding companies" who make a lot of money | | | | venue, and their event as a whole as part of my |
| booking scores of budget conscious brides with great | | | | editing style. Each person is different. By working with |
| prices, "one stop shopping" with photos, video, and a | | | | a more limited number of weddings per year, I can |
| DJ! A significant portion of the wedding industry is | | | | afford to be objective in setting the mode for the |
| marketing to a predictable consumer mentality. They | | | | videoGenerally, my work is more of a detailed |
| realize a significant number of people will shop only by | | | | cinematic documentary. Most of the events are "in real |
| price, regardless of value, esthetic quality, and long | | | | time".To produce a video that tells a story in real life |
| term enjoyment they would have gotten by choosing | | | | requires a full time job just in editing. The video must |
| someone who's life depends on the quality of their | | | | have life and it must provide a full overview of the |
| work.For those who tend to be more discriminate and | | | | event. I like to shoot in a relaxed photojournalistic |
| place a little more value on quality, you will have some | | | | style.This allows me ample footage to create a |
| decisions to make an you'll be glad you did. The reality | | | | dramatic video with precise detail, and still keep the |
| is, if you've looked carefully at finding the right | | | | storyline moving. I also offer "short form" |
| photographer, you probably won't be impressed with | | | | contemporary style videos, that are focused on a |
| the plethora of people offering the cheap wedding | | | | more romantic style. Many clients like to have both the |
| videos.Cost and Value:Unfortunately, objectivity and art | | | | documentary style along with the 15 minute romantic |
| are not as easy as choosing between Wal-Mart and | | | | highlight video to share with friends. Unfortunately, I see |
| Kmart to buy a DVD player or some other exact | | | | just about everyone now uses "documentary" and |
| same item. In many cases, your investment to hire a | | | | "photojournalism" buzz words in their advertising. |
| really good videographer is almost intangible when | | | | Hopefully, they aren't just throwing out words people |
| comparing the talent, expertise, and investment in time | | | | want to hear and really understand the |
| required to produce a video that's worth watching and | | | | concept!Spectacular audio qualityAudio quality is the |
| in some cases, the costs will be very comparable. One | | | | most overlooked and often the most noticeable |
| can't begin to compare the end result of the | | | | shortcoming in wedding video. Your videographer |
| stereotypical wedding video and photo companies | | | | should be able to provide at least four wireless |
| cashing in on the "Wedding Industry" and those a truly | | | | microphones for any event. Concentrate on listening |
| talented videographers and photographers who love | | | | for more than the vows. Demand to hear examples of |
| their work and work hard to provide couples with | | | | readers, instrumentalists, vocalists, and string quartets. |
| something beyond the ordinary.A full time videographer, | | | | Your wedding will be a beautiful experience. |