How to choose a Videographer
How much experience do they have? Do they
appear ethical? Do they look like someone you want to have mingling with your
guests and interviewing them? Ask to see samples from 3 different videos. How
does camerawork, audio, editing style, and image quality look? These are
really the most important factors, above all the special effects.
Have they ever worked at your church
and reception hall before? You should ask your church if video is allowed and if
so, where they should be placed, and where they are not allowed .
Does your videographer have capability
for multi camera coverage? Second cameras cost about $500 more, but they give a
great effect during the ceremony. The primary reason for a second or third
camera is to pick up an angle the the primary camera cannot get. For
example, the front camera will get the details of the ceremony, while the back
camera gets an alternate angle of the recessional and processional as well as
ceremony activities. Two cams are important because one person cannot be
two places at once. With 2 cameras the videographer can create a picture in
picture on the screen, showing the exchange of vows in the main portion of
video, and the parents' reactions in a little window. If you have the extra
money, this is really worth doing. Also, the second camera can capture scenes at
the reception that the first camera may have missed.
Do they bring lighting for the dance
floor? Today's video cameras have impressive specs in the dark, but some are
still not that great, and produce grainy images in the dark. Our
videographer had 2 lights that lit up the dance floor and he turned them off
when with a wireless remote when he was not filming. Also ask them if they have
done corporate affairs/meetings/video production. You will find these type of
people to be more experienced, and they may use better equipment, as corporate
events are much more involved. Ask them how many copies of the final tape you
will receive. You want to get at least 2 copies. It's a nice gesture to get one
for your parents.
Do they record the event in a
professional format such as S-VHS or digital? You do not want a
videographer recording your wedding with a VHS tape. Some videographers
don't like the digital technology due to video compression, and they feel it
does not provide a good enough image. Can they give you a tape in S-VHS
format for those people who have S-VHS video players? Do they have the
capability of using computer generated graphics? (and not cheesy ones, either).
What other hidden costs are associated with the quoted price? Sometimes they
will charge you extra for a 1 minute "Love Stroll" segment of video.
Some people want a package that includes a short musical picture story known as
a video collage with photos of the bride and groom growing up. Usually a handful
of photos of each person is given to the videographer to tape.
Recap and Questions to ask
- How long have you been
shooting weddings?
- What time will you
arrive, and what types of shots do you normally take throughout the day.
- Can I see some of your
past work?
- What kind of equipment
do you use? Amateur or professional?
- What do you use for
lighting?
- Do you have an
assistant? Assistants are good as they make the videographer's life easier.
They help with lighting, sound checks, etc.
- Do you edit your own
work? If not, who edits the work?
- Can I be involved in
the editing process?
- What types of special
effects do you do?
- How do you capture the
sound?
- Do you use cordless
microphones?
- Can you do an
'Introductory love story sequence' where you make a montage of our
courtship?
- Do we get to choose our
own background music?
- Who owns the 'master'
tapes (the original tapes that create the final edited version)?
- Until what time will
you stay during the reception?
- What is the overtime
charge?
- How long will it take
to get the final product? What format is it, VHS, Hi-8, digital?
- What is the charge for
extra copies?
- Will you do additional
editing if we are not entirely happy with your final product?
- What makes your work
different from other videographers?
- How much will the
entire package cost?
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