8 tips for the beginner wedding Videographer
A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so getting it right the first time is essential! There won’t be a second chance to do it over. You only have one shot at getting it right. That’s what makes filming an event such hard work. You have to be quick on your feet and super responsive. Weddings are the most nerve-wracking because it’s a day treasured very dearly by the bride, groom and their close family and friends. Making mistakes on a wedding video can devastate and insult the newlyweds.
Were you planning the perfect wedding video? Look into these 8 tips to ensure you’ll capture your big day with beautiful, lasting footage. from planning vendor relations and more our articles go over it all – giving you the knowledge and inspiration to make your wedding video unique.
Plan Ahead — Talk to the client
You can have a coffee meeting or a consultation to plan the video. A simple email or phone call will do. However, getting the couples opinions on what they think looks good is a good idea. Avoid asking technical questions, as they will be meaningless to most people. Present them with examples and ask them what they think. It will give you some idea of what they’re expecting. Have the couple complete a questionnaire before the meeting, then you will be prepared to go through the days timings
Some things you need to disscue with the couple
- Timeline for the day.
- What time will you be arriving to start shooting?
- What time does the ceremony start?
- How long do we have for the photo and video session?
- What time does the reception start?
- Who is the MC, So you can liaise with them during the reception.?
- How are the couple in front of the camera? Are they relaxed? Do they feel shy?
- Discuss your style.
- Talking about films and the package they have purchased.
- Please give them a timeline for film delivery after the wedding
Best Practices:- Manage expectations
Their feedback will allow you to ask detailed questions about camera placement or style. Many couples will request that the video crew keep out of view, which inhibits your ability to film the event in the best way possible. If they love an example in which the videographer was right there in action, they must realize that placing you in the corner of the room will provide different results. Bottom line; no matter where they want you, they need to know what that will look like. You need to manage their expectations and make suggestions that will provide them with a better product.
In addition to managing their expectations, you’ll also want to manage your own. Get as much information about the wedding day as possible. How many readings will there be during the ceremony? Will it be a band or DJ at the reception? Is there an itinerary? The more info you have, the more you’ll understand what you’ll need and the better equipped you’ll be on the day.
Get to the venue early — scope it out & set-up
Best practice to check the website for photos of the space. By doing so, you can get an idea of the layout and look of the place and what equipment you will need to bring for filming.
If you’re still familiar with the Venue for a wedding, it’s wise to take some time to explore the area before the big day. It is vital at churches, as certain spots may be off-limits or unsuitable for videography. Taking a few moments to familiarise yourself with your surroundings can save time and effort when you need to capture those special moments.
Whenever I visit a venue I’m familiar with but haven’t been to in a while, I always arrive early. Things tend to change over time, and it’s wise to review the location before you need to be there, so you know what to expect.
Lighting
Lighting is essential to consider. You want to ensure the space will look great in the evening. Be sure to speak with staff at your Venue so that you can get an understanding of how the lighting situation in each room will be.
Audio
Finding out if your wedding venue has an accessible audio system is crucial for recording audio and having a backup plan. Double-check that you can access the Venue’s internal system beforehand, as this will be the primary audio recording source if available. Being prepared for audio will help ensure success on your special day! Determine if the celebrant has audio equipment available to use at the ceremony.
8 tips for the beginner wedding Videographer
DJs, MCs and photographers are your friends
Always email the photographer before the event ready my guide to working with the photographer. In my experience with weddings, the DJs and photographers are usually better informed than the videographer. It might be because people misunderstand videography as merely “coverage.” They expect that you’ll show up and get the perfect footage. To some extent, that’s true, but we video guys (and girls) know that planning is extraordinarily beneficial.
Informing the DJs and photographers is a little more obvious, which is why they’re usually “in the know.” Since most of the music is planned, the band or DJ must know when to cue each song. Even if you did your homework by asking the right questions and getting a copy of the itinerary, the DJ and photographer still might have more info than you.
Please get to know the MC. You will work very closely at the reception and make sure they let you know when events will happen at the reception. You want to attend the start of a speech because you need to be informed. Because of this, it’s a good idea to introduce yourself to the DJ and photographer before the event starts. The DJ usually knows everything is happening (even more so than the photographer). And remember: as with any big event, everything goes differently than planned. Changes happen on the spot, and the DJ is usually first informed. If you make friends with the DJ, he’ll let you know if things change. He might also let you know the moment before he starts the introductions or cues the first dance. As the guy with the camera, you know how important it is to roll when the action starts. I’ve been lucky enough to work with bands and DJs that are so helpful, and they wait for my signal that the camera is rolling before they begin.
Best Practices:- Be assertive yet polite.
You can’t get great footage by standing behind a crowd. When the bride and groom are about to cut the cake, you better be there with a nice close-up. Sometimes this means finding your way through a crowd. Don’t hesitate, go. The bride and groom want their memories captured to cherish this day forever. The guests should and will respect that. You don’t have to shove or be rude. You’ll find that your vocabulary for the whole night is limited to “excuse me” and “sorry.” That’s OK. Just get where you need to be. Be mindful of where you are and whose view you’re blocking. If it’s mom or grandma, take a step to the side. But the newlyweds aren’t going to care too much if drunken cousin Ralph didn’t get the best view of their cake-cutting as long as you came out with a stellar shot.
If space is tight and you want to avoid blocking too many guests, get to the front and crouch down on one knee. You won’t be blocking views and will be right where the action is. But remember only to use this technique sparingly. You don’t want your wedding footage to be from a low angle.
Bring energy, and get Into It.
It may be your second wedding of the weekend or a favour you’re doing for a friend. But for the bride and groom, this is one of the best days of their life. It would be best if you treated it as such. If you don’t, it will show. It’s easy to get jaded if you’ve filmed many weddings. In truth, most of them are cookie-cutter, standard operations. After two or three, they all blend.
Tired of hearing the same things
Please don’t roll your eyes at the reading from Corinthians 13:4. Don’t sigh when you see the same things happening that you have seen at every wedding. These disrespectful gestures will make your night worse. Trust me: If you let it show, it will show in the footage. You’ll start to cut it together in post, and it will suddenly hit you. It will all look bland, and you’ll hate yourself for it. You’ll see what’s happening right at the edge of the frame. “Why didn’t I get that? Why does this look so dull?”
Don’t let that happen. Guests love a videographer that’s upbeat, polite and full of energy. It’s not just another job, and it’s a celebration. Be a part of the event, not just an observer. It may sound cheesy, but if you don’t film with your whole heart, the passion won’t read. Get worked up in the emotions and let those emotions guide your lens. If you let that happen, it will all come naturally. And who knows, you might have fun too.
Post wedding communication
The day is over, but not for you. Its time to let your foot off the gas?
No, stay in touch about their films. If it is a busy time of year and you are behind on the editing, email them and let them know they will appreciate the update. Most people want you to take your time in their films. Don’t just hide under a rock if the film is going to be weeks overdue.
Even in my busy times of the year, films sometimes are three or four weeks overdue as long as you stay in touch and communicate. Couples will always be understanding.
Weddings are extraordinary events, so ensuring the wedding videographer is equipped with the best practices for capturing beautiful footage is vital. By following these essential tips, any videographer knows to bring out the perfect unique story within each couple’s ceremony and its surrounding festivities. Ultimately, couples should know that a great wedding video is much more than simply documenting a day–it’s about storing memories of one of the most memorable days in life. From immersive editing styles to creative lighting, there’s no end when finding ways to put an individualized spin on memorable footage. So if you’re looking for guidance on creating amazing videos for future weddings, it would be wise to return here and brush up on the six best practices for wedding videographers listed in this post!
These are my 8 tips for the beginner wedding videographer
With these 8 tips, for the beginner wedding videographer you’ll be well on your way to creating beautiful, memorable wedding videos. Remember to practice, stay organized, and always keep the couple’s vision in mind. Happy shooting!
