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Do You Need Videography and How to Choose a Professional
Wedding Videography is the live taping of one’s wedding. And one might ask why you need both photography and videography but many couples appreciate as many memories as possible and as many different kind of wedding shots as possible.
In addition to the memories, many bridal couples find that on the wedding day, they are so nervous and anxious of the day itself and worry so often about whether anything will go wrong that they miss most of the day. They do not really hear the speech that their dear uncle performed, they did not see the lovely song the little cousins sang and they really might not remember who was in attendance.
One other sad but real reason for having a video of the wedding is to have memories of our loved ones once they have passed on. The video imparts special meaning when we can go back and actually see our special relatives.
Videography has been around for some time now and many people have used it for their weddings but interestingly enough, many studies and surveys indicate that most couples do not think it is an important service when planning their weddings. In fact, they listed it at the bottom of the priorities. And when they finally decided that they might like to have a video, they contacted someone last minute as though it were an after thought.
The surveys, further, showed that after the wedding, the couples regretted not having paid as much attention to the service as it deserved. Videography moved higher up on the list of priorities and the couples felt that they had neglected that area of services provided to them the day of the wedding. They also felt that because they had not taken videography seriously, that they had either not budgeted anything for the videography or had budgeted a ridiculously low amount, which had left them scrambling at the last minute.
Knowing that the bride and groom should add “choosing a videography" to their wedding planning checklist, here a few points to help the bridal couple get started.
Myth 1
Be careful of amateurs moonlighting as videographers. With sophisticated software and computers, anyone can say that he/she is a professional. The truth is that videography is specialized work and a good wedding video requires a professional.
Myth 2
Photography and videography are redundant. On the contrary, today’s wedding should include both. Many of the relatives do not own computers or DVDs and still do things the old-fashioned way. Sending a video to Grandma might be pointless but she would cherish your wedding photo in a frame on her bedside table.
Myth 3
When you choose a video, you will receive a movie-like production. You need to be specific in your requests. The videographer is not really producing a movie. Upon your request, he may add music and titles, but this must be discussed when booking the videographer.
Myth 4
You do not need the video as you have plenty of photos. As we have indicated above, the general consensus among married couples seems to be that they missed the boat on videography. Use this “expert hindsight" to your advantage and make the appropriate arrangements for a professional videographer.
When choosing a videographer, look for someone who seems to care about you. Set up interviews and review past work. If available, look at work performed in the same location as your wedding ceremony and reception. If choosing one person over another, this may be an advantage because if the videographer has worked in the same location before, he or she will know the pitfalls and will strive to improve the video.
Review in depth the techniques used on the finished product. Are they all alike or can the videographer do custom work? Can he/she use the music that you request? Will he or she video the exact moments that you choose?
In addition to asking all the right questions, once you have decided on a videographer, have a written contract drafted. It should include:
- number of finished videos to be received
- costs of any extras such as custom video sleeves
- deposit required
- total costs including taxes and extra charges
- balance and due date
- details of special effects
- any music requested in the background
- date final product ready for pickup
- the “must-have" shots
- any filming that you may not want during the ceremony – the videographer must know whether he/she is permitted to film in the church for example
- details of what the videographer will do should he/she not show up
- details regarding a poor shoot
- what you both agree as being a “poor shoot"
- any extra details that have been added to the package
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