HOW TO CHOOSE A WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER

It is so important that you learn how to choose a wedding videographer, because not all wedding videos are created equal and not all wedding videographers have the same skill sets or equipment! You can get a wedding video that you'll cherish for a lifetime, one that will bring tears as well as laughter, each time you view it - or you can get a wedding video that you'll never watch a second time. It all depends upon how you choose your wedding videographer.

SEE THE 'REEL' DEAL!

The single, most important piece of advice is to insist on getting a complete, "real" wedding video to view. One that this wedding videographer has done recently (within the past twelve months) for a real wedding video client. Do not accept a "demo" or "highlights" video where they've pieced together a few good shots from various weddings and recorded a music track for the sound. Do not agree to watch the video in the presence of the videographer where they can distract and skew your opinion of the video and apply sales pressure. If they won't send you a free, no obligation, complete wedding video, to watch in the comfort of your own home, then scratch them off your list of potential wedding videographers.

WHICH STYLE?

Many brides are unaware that there are varying styles of wedding videos. This can lead to an unhappy surprise when you view your finished wedding video. You need to know what styles are being offerred and which style you prefer. Wedding videos come in two basic styles - short-form (often called "cinematic" or "romanticized") and long-form (also known as documentary or journalistic style).

A Short Form wedding video generally runs from ten to forty minutes and is designed to capture just the "essence" of your day. These generally have a small part of audio from your actual vows and a music track over the rest of the video. Short-form videos can be good to show acquaintences who may not care to invest an hour or more viewing your wedding video and they are easier for a single videographer who may have only a single camera or microphone..

A long-form wedding video generally runs from forty-five to ninety minutes, and is more of an actual depiction of what occurs on your wedding day. It should include most or all of the actual ceremony, the most important parts of your reception and perhaps your preparations, etc., and have much of the actual audio(clearly and crisply) from your wedding and reception. It is difficult to do a really good long form wedding video without two camera operators, at least two cameras and a microphone for each important audio source.

There are many style variations, most of which combine the two styles, so be sure and understand exactly what style your wedding videographer will use. Many people feel that it's nice to have a short-form video to show neighbors and coworkers and a long-form for the couple and family.

There are also additional features you may be interested in like "Bridal Elegance" or "Love Story", which are generally shot several days before the wedding.

NOW HEAR THIS!

One of the most important parts of any video - including a wedding video - is the sound. So many wedding videographers won't send you a complete wedding video - just snippets from various weddings with a music track instead of the actual audio - the actual voices from the wedding video.

Do you want to know why? It's because many wedding videographers only have one or two wireless microphones. This means if you have someone singing or perhaps a string quartet, they are going to sound terrible. If you have someone reading scripture, their voice is going to have that "fuzzy" far-off sound. The toasts at the reception are often barely audible in wedding videos and the music can sound terrible. But it doesn't have to be this way. If you ask a few questions, you can ensure that your wedding video will sound as good as it looks.

The only way to capture clear sound for your wedding video is to have a microphone within inches of each and every sound source. This sometimes means using as many as six or eight microphones. A bit more work for the videographer, but the mics are tiny and unobtrusive and your wedding video is going to not only look great - it's going to sound great!

So, be sure and ask your videographer how many microphones he or she uses. The answer you want to hear is, "As many as it takes." You might also want to ask, how many microphones they have. You want to hear at least four and preferably more. You should know that the video camera's built-in microphone is not an acceptable tool for wedding videos. Similarly, a shotgun microphone is not great either, although it is a decent "backup" solution.

HOW MANY CAMERAS?

Most experienced wedding videographers agree that "three" is the minimum number of video cameras that should be used to cover a long-form wedding ceremony. Whether having four or more is useful, depends upon the exact situation, but three is a must for a good wedding video. This allows one camera to cover the couple from the bride's side (camera is on groom's side but gets the best view of the bride) and get lots of closeups. The other covers from the groom's side and also gets shots of guests, and dad wiping a tear, etc. The third camera should be in the rear and get a wide overview of the entire setting. At least two of the three cameras should be mounted on sturdy tripods.

I've judged many wedding videos that were shot entirely handheld and have yet to see a good one. It can be OK to have one of the three cameras (usually the one covering the groom's side) on a monopod, shoulder mount or Glidecam, etc., but only one, otherwise you may need a Drammamine by the middle of the ceremony! So asking whether your videographer will use tripods or not can help you do some weeding out.

HOW MANY CAMERA PEOPLE?

I've been doing this for a long time and I think I'm pretty good, but there is no way I could properly cover the average wedding (let alone a large one!) by myself. There would just be too many things missed and too much stress and "hurry". The best way to cover a wedding is with two camera people. There have been times I've hired a third camera person, but usually two is enough and also, we want to be as unobtrusive as possible.

Not only does it take two camera people to properly cover ceremonies and receptions, but we need to be able to communicate in order to maximize our effectiveness. That's why we use Motorola headsets that allow us to stay in touch with each other wirelessly. When Jean sees something happening at one part of the reception and I'm at another part, she can alert me so we can get two-camera coverage. That second (or third) camera becomes even more important when excited guests, or photographers put themselves in front of one of our video cameras (happens all the time!).

Also, as in any play, it takes three acts to put together a good story and "introducing the characters" and their current feelings, etc. is a very important element, in my opinion. That's why we cover the preparations. Many brides, although they sometimes initially feel that this part is not important, end up feeling that this is a crucial part of their wedding video. To have the bride and bridesmaids relaxed in the dressing room, requires that a woman cameraman cover that part. That's one reason why a husband and wife team of videographers is a great way to go.

Ask your videographer how many videographers will cover your wedding and ask who they will be. If he answers that he uses different people at different times, then you have no way of viewing a sample of work from those who would video your wedding (because he doesn't even know who he will use). This means your ability to decide on this company's qualifications (in regards to YOUR wedding video) is about the same as your ability to decide which number a roulette wheel will turn up on the next spin, because the quality of your wedding video depends solely upon the camera people and the editor. As soon as you change just one of those people, you change the entire equation.

OUTDOOR WEDDINGS

There are some other things you need to checkout if your wedding will be held outdoors. I've heard of brides who hired and paid their wedding videographers but the wedding was never video'd. Why not? Because the weather threatened a little or it drizzled lightly on-and-off, so the videographer would not setup his gear. With prices of prosumer video cameras starting at $2500 and wireless microphone sets starting at about $350, you can understand why he may not want to risk his equipment. But a true professional wedding videographer should be prepared with rain covers for each video camera. So, ask your videographer what will happen if there is a light drizzle and you decide to go ahead with the ceremony. If he says he'll use trash bags or similar to protect his gear, know that these are not adequate. They can blow and cover the lens. They make noise in the wind that will drown out your vows, etc. Also, if he is too cheap to buy custom rain covers for his cameras, you've got to wonder where else he is cutting corners.

There is a much greater chance of wind than rain. Even a six mph breeze can sound like a hurricane through a microphone. A foam "windscreen" is absolutely no help in this case. Your wedding videographer must have fur muffs for each microphone - even lavalier mics, to keep your wedding vows and other sounds from being drowned out. Ask your wedding videographer what he uses to minimizes wind noise. If the answer is not "fur muffs" for each microphone, then either pray for a very calm day or hire another wedding videographer.

The first hour after sunrise and before sunset are known to be the best times for photography (including videography). If this sun is high in the sky, you will have harsh and unflattering shadows on faces, etc. Also, if cameras must point toward the sun, glare can ruin the images. It's best to work with your photographer and videographer when planning the time and layout of your outdoor wedding.

I've seen weddings held at city parks where traffic noise was extremely distracting. At one, a loud motorcycle kept circling the block. The videographer had only used shotgun mics and he'd asked me to help in lessening the motorcycle noise, which was only partially doable with software. Lavalier microphones tend to get less outside noise because they can be placed closer to the sound source, making the sound you want louder and clearer than the sound you do not want. If you must hold your wedding close to streets where loud traffic noise is a possibility, be sure and choose your time of day carefully and talk with your videographer about how to lessen the impact of unwanted noise.

SUMMARY

It is so important to know how to choose a wedding videographer because the simple fact is that there are more wedding videographers that are likely to give you an inferior wedding video than there are those who are likely to give you a wonderful wedding video. But taking the time to choose your wedding videographer carefully will be extremely rewarding. Remember the Simpsons movie where Homer runs into his burning home to save their wedding video? Be prepared to pay more for a professional wedding videographer, yet know that price alone is not a guarantee of quality.

Although we're new right now and may not yet have certified wedding videographers in your area, www.WeddingVideoDoneRight.com (an organization that offers certification for professional wedding videographers) not only judges the work of wedding videographers, but we check references, ensure that the contracts are fair and we offer mediation if there is any dispute. We will de-certify any wedding videographer who is judged to have treated a client unfairly.

Checking references by calling at least three recent clients, is very important. If you don't feel comfortable in doing this, take advantage of our offer to review your videographers' videos and to check their references for you. There is no charge for this service and we can usually get back to you within ten days of receiving your package. Here's a link to our Contact Info and Address.

Take the time to know how to choose your wedding videographer - you'll be glad you did!

- Hank Castello
Certified Wedding Videographer (WVDR)