Considering a Wedding Videographer? 5 Essential Tips you Need to Know…

Before hiring a wedding videographer follow these 5 simple tips to help you decide the best deal for your budget.

1. HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE DO THEY HAVE AS A WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER?

The best way to check how much experience a wedding videographer has is to see how many wedding videos they’ve done. If the wedding videography business you are looking at only has a few videos, they probably are probably still testing the waters. Even if those videos look fantastic- without some proof of consistancy you run the risk of being disappointed. Anyone can buy a professional camera, charge a few hundred dollars, and call themselves a pro. A lengthy wedding video portfolio is a must if you want a reliable videographer. An experienced wedding videographer knows what shots they need and where to be at the right time. They should work synergistically with the photographer without being a distraction. Seasoned wedding videographers will have great audio by understanding the tools of the trade and communicating with the DJ and officiant. Confidence comes with experience and having a confident videographer will make the bride and groom feel more comfortable when getting direction. Having years of wedding videos under their belt will ensure that all the kinks are worked out and streamlined so that your wedding is smooth and efficient.

2. LEARN WHAT QUALITY VIDEO LOOKS LIKE.

So now that you have verified a few videographers’ experience it’s time to review their work and learn what quality video looks like. A reputable wedding videographer will have a website with examples of their work.  Some indications for poor quliaty video are when the color balance exposure are off. The color of the skin tones should be accurate and consistent without the subject being underexposed. The overall shot shouldn’t have harsh shadows or blown-out highlights like the image below.

Poor Composition, Over-exposed, and Unbalanced Color
IMAGE 1: This shot does not have a very good composition. There is very little headroom above the subjects and the bride’s boquet is cut off. The color balance is too blue and the highlights of her dress are over-exposed.
IMAGE 2: This is a much better composition. There is enough headroom above the subject and they are symetrical in the frame. The shot is properly exposed and the skin tones are accurate.

Camera work shouldn’t be distracting or shakey. Just like photography, how each shot is intentionally composed will determine how pleasing it is to the eye. You don’t want part of the grooms head cut off during the ceremony nor see the bride’s double chin. Audio should be clear and without wind or atmospheric noise.  A good editor will understand pacing and each shot should neatly flow into the next without being abrupt. Also don’t forget to watch out for cheesy effects or too much b-roll! Nobody wants to pay thousands of dollars to watch several minutes of decorations or bouquet shots.

3. KNOW IF THEY OUTSOURCE.

Now that you know what professional wedding videography should look like, it’s important to know if your videographer shoots and edits their videos themselves or if they outsource.  There are many media companies that advertise wedding video production that don’t actually shoot or edit any of the footage themselves. This seems to be most common with companies that offer their services nationaly. It’s common for small videography companies to outsource occasionally, however it’s important to realize the risk in hiring a wedding videography company that outsources EVERYTHING because quality can’t always be guaranteed. Make sure the business your looking at is based in your own state and ask them to specify if their videographers are part of their in-house staff.

4. DO THEY HAVE A BACKUP PROTOCOL?

Once you learn if they outsource, the next thing you’ll want to ask about is their backup protocol. What is their strategy if it rains? Do they have backup equipment if something malfunctions? A true professional videographer will have a backup plan because they have likely already experienced issues in the past. It’s important to choose a videographer who can put your worries at ease and be ready for anything.  What is their backup protocol if their computer gets damaged or has a virus?  Make sure they have backup hard drives just in case so all of that precious footage remains safe.

5. REVIEW THEIR PACKAGES.

Finally, before hiring a wedding videographer make sure they offer a package that suits your needs.  Are you looking to have coverage at multiple locations? Do you want vows included? Does having drone footage really that important to you? If you opt to include vows or speeches, then a longer video will be needed. Maybe you are having a low-key wedding and only need a highlight reel. Your videographer should be able to help you decide on a package based on your needs and wants. 

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, educating yourself on what professional videography looks and sounds like will help you narrow your search in hiring a wedding videographer that has the best deal. Learning how to spot subpar work and unprofessionalism will help keep you from wasting your wedding budget on a disappointing video experience. Remember, a wedding video can’t be re-shot!