1) WE ALREADY have a photographer. should we still invest in a video?
Organizations that have experience in storytelling and capturing memories should understand the sensitivity and importance of preserving and capturing your special day. On one of the most important days of your lives’, you must justify whether its worth spending a couple thousand dollars to have a living breathing video. Is it worth the additional cost to have something to share with generations to come?
A well done video should give you chills— enabling you to relive the candid moments of your glorious day in real time and giving you a full spectrum of emotions every time you click play.
So, the question then becomes why do we put photography on a pedestal?
It’s because photography is beautiful. Photography captures us (when done right) at our highest highs, or lowest lows and shows the raw emotion from that particular moment. Think about a decision, experience, vacation, purchase or victory you’ve had in the past….. Really think about that particular memory. What makes it special to you? How does it make you feel? Why does it make you feel this way? Emotion. We are emotional creatures. Emotion drives everything. We’re impulsive. We care with so much intention. We cry… oh boy do we cry. And we love. My gosh do we love deeply.
Emotion is at the pinnacle of everything we do. It’s the driving force behind our purchases. Emotion is behind expression, education, empowerment and decision making. It’s why we choose to spend the rest of our lives with our significant other. The way something makes us feel is EVERYTHING. Imagine life without emotion for a second. It’s pretty desolate. The best events, memories and experiences in life all come back to one thing; the way it makes us feel. Video is about capturing a moment. GREAT video is about capturing and preserving a lifetime of emotion. Video should tell your unique story in a way that spotlights your love for your significant other, makes you cry, laugh and feel whole. It should bring back the tears of joy, the memories of arguing with Mom over the price of your dress and the napkins, and the joy you received after smashing cake into the face of your new husband (or wife).
2) WHY IS VIDEOGRAPHY IMPORTANT FOR OUR WEDDING?
From our personal experience, videography is something that is cherished and sacred to the families that invest in it. We often receive messages of gratitude from past clients who had lost family members, but their memory lives on through video. While no longer here in physical body, one family was able to relive the memories of Grandpa moon-walking across the dance floor. A son was able to listen to his Father tell him how much he loved him, even after he had passed.
We think videography is worth every penny, but ultimately the decision is now in your hands.
3) what should i be asking to ensure i am getting the highest quality video and trained videographers?
Here are a few questions to ask your videographer in regards to the quality, along with explanations on why these questions matter.
What type of camera is best for shooting weddings?
We will spare you the technical jargon and just give you the details to ensure you get the highest quality video.
DSLR cameras are great and they are very common in the wedding industry. The majority of photographers/videographers are utilizing DSLR Cameras including Nikon, Sony and Canon. A few years back, high quality cinema cameras were nearly unaffordable unless you were working on a Hollywood budget film. Now that high quality cinema cameras are becoming more main stream, we highly recommend you book a video company that has access to Cinema Cameras. Cinema Cameras are also able to shoot up to 120+ FPS (frames per second) allowing for true slow motion without motion blur and choppiness. That means Dad’s moves look even smoother on camera than on the dance floor.A few companies that make high quality cinema cameras include: Sony, Arri, Black Magic, RED, Panasonic and Canon. We find the Sony A7S2 and RED Scarlet W 5K make for a beautiful pair. The Sony A7S2 does exceptionally well in low light.
If you have multiple videographers make sure they’re shooting on the exact same cameras OR shooting in LOG.
What is LOG? All cameras have a different color temperature and the look will slightly differ. In other words, each camera has its own color personality. Shooting in LOG allows your editor to color match each camera PRECISELY to another. What that means—-you can have multiple videographers capturing different elements of your event and make the footage look identical as if your wedding was shot on one camera.
Will you need LED lighting for your cameras to operate in low lighting?
As important as the type of camera is the glass your videographer is using. The higher the quality the lens (glass) your videographer has paired with their camera, the better and more crisp the images. Most high quality cinema cameras are NOT designed with nighttime and low-lighting shoots in mind. That being said, it can be challenging to find a videography company that does not require forced lighting.
A videographer that requires bright LED lighting throughout your venue and mounted on their camera is intrusive and takes away from the overall ambiance. Working with a videography company that invests in high end cameras and glass will likely eliminate the need for LED lighting at your wedding.
Aim for better cameras.
Aim for better lenses (glass).
Aim for more experienced videographers.
These major details are worth the extra money.
Are you able to export in 4k or 5k?
720p and 1080p will eventually become obsolete. If your videographer cannot export in 4k look elsewhere.
How many video projects do you shoot per year?
The more projects, the more experience! Videographers typically book 6-8 months ahead of time. Find your preferred videographer and plan to book them right after your venue, photographer and entertainment.
What videos do you work on outside of weddings?
When you’re only seeing things through one lens (no pun intended) sometimes your perspective and creativity becomes jaded. Look to videography companies that have experience in shooting videos outside of weddings. This will ensure you work with a well-rounded videography company that doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all mentality and portfolio.
4) how long are your wedding videos? is raw footage included?
Most wedding highlight videos range from 3-7 minutes. Once filming is completed, some videographers will offer to send over raw footage (unedited) to preview before editing begins. You’ll most likely never watch 5+ hours of unedited raw video. If raw footage will cost you extra (which it often will), we recommend investing in an additional longer video. Instead of paying for raw video, ask for two videos. One highlight video 3-7 minutes long and a second (longer) 30-60 minute video that captures your entire day in more detail.
5) Can we choose our own music?
You should be able to, yes. To some, this is an important element. However, may we suggest you do not choose your own music. Each video has a unique feel and story. An experienced videographer will choose music that fits your theme and love story. Most videographers pay to access a database of license free songs. This allows you to share without worrying about upsetting a producer, record label or agent.
If you choose to use licensed music by popular artists, sharing on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms is often flagged and deleted.
Videographers put a lot of pride and joy into their artwork and love to showcase the quality of their end-product. Just because KE$HA’S-”TIK TOK” is your favorite song does not mean it belongs in your video. Your video company will have a knack for what belongs and what does not.
6) How many events have you shot? WHAT IS YOUR TURN AROUND TIME?
You should make sure that your videographer has captured other high-stress events that are time sensitive. Too many times have we heard the horror story of working with a family friend, a journalism major in his third year of college that has no real world experience. It takes preparation and practice to manage flow, timeline, and all of the important aspects of a wedding. Capturing a wedding requires intense concentration, experience and knowing where to be, when. Further, it takes a pro to manage all of that and edit in a timely fashion. There is no do-over. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to capture your special moment. Plan to work with an experienced videographer and don’t try to cut corners to save money.
Expect your turn around time to be within 60 days. If its more than that, might we suggest looking elsewhere. Your wedding videography company might make you pay more for an expedited edit if your request is same day / same week.
7) SHOULD WE DO AN INTRODUCTION VIDEO?
Increasingly popular is playing an introductory video - to be shown on screens at your venue before the official welcome of the new couple. This video can showcase the proposal video / pictures, and any memories of you and your significant other from before your wedding day. These videos typically range from 60-120 seconds. Ask your videographer how much they would charge to edit this if you provide the footage. These videos are a cute way to spotlight your love before your grand entrance.