Wedding Videography: How To Select Your Wedding Videographer

Hello everyone! First off, let me say that I’m not going to spend any time trying to convince you to hire a videographer; there’s just too much to say! What I want to talk about is how to select a videographer that’s just right for you.

A lot of the same principles apply to finding a wedding photographer: you look at their work and see if you like it! That’s the most important thing. But beyond that, here are a few things to consider that are specific to wedding videography:

1) Audio is one of the primary things that differentiates photo from video, so you should definitely pay attention to it. Ask the wedding videographer how he or she captures audio at an event. A microphone on the groom or officiant is standard these days, but you should look for someone that goes beyond that. We like to mic the groom, the officiant, the podium, the musicians, and sometimes we get a feed from the sound board. This way every part of the ceremony sounds crystal clear. As for the reception, look for someone that mics the DJ or band speakers or gets a feed from the sound board. This way the announcements, music, and toasts are all crisp. All of these different audio tracks should be mixed in post so that everything sounds clear and natural.

2) When you’re comparing different videographers, be sure to compare “apples to apples” when it comes to package options. You have the basics like hours of coverage and number of cameras and operators, but you should also consider other factors:

- How are the DVD’s packaged? What do the DVD menus look like (motion versus static)?

- How is the video archived? Are you provided a master tape of the video?

- Do they attend the rehearsal to plan camera placement?

- How long is the final video? Does the package include a highlights montage/recap?

3) Let’s get a little technical with this one and talk about some of the tools videographers have available these days. It’s a very exciting time to be a wedding filmmaker; there are more options than ever before. Here is a run-down on some of them:

- High Definition: This high resolution format is fast becoming the standard, replacing standard definition. Oftentimes it costs extra to have your video delivered in HD, but you will certainly appreciate the difference in quality.

- Super 8: This nostalgic film medium is shot on circa 60’s and 70’s cameras. The camera operates noisily, but you’ll end up with warm evocative imagery that adds spice to videos. The film is expensive and it works best with lots of light. Pairs perfectly with a vintage-style or outdoor wedding.

- Canon 5D Mark 2: Wedding filmmakers are buying this still photography camera because of the beautiful HD imagery it can capture. Because it uses photo lenses, the depth of field is shallow and it looks more like a movie. This camera really sings with detail shots and dancing coverage at low-light receptions.

- Steadicam/Glidecam: These are counterbalanced camera stabilizers that allow the videographer to walk and run while the camera remains steady. Originally created for use in big budget movies, they are now trickling down to the event industry. They create a dramatic cinematic look that can really enhance a production.

- Magic Bullet Looks: This is a software plug-in that generates effects for video while editing. You can have a video clip that looks blah and flat and washed out, apply Magic Bullet and make some tweaks, and turn it into something that is vibrant or romantic or moody. Think of it as Adobe Photoshop actions for video.

Hopefully this little crash course on new technologies will help you make a more informed hiring decision. It’s nice to know what’s out there, what you might like, and what you need to look for in a videographer.

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