Wedding Videographers

How are you going to capture your cherished wedding moments? Traditionally, photography was used to relive the wondrous occasion, but the 21st century holds more options. Wedding videographers record your wedding, so you can experience words, gestures, and people again and again.

Any person with a camera could claim to be a "videographer," but you want someone who is going to be a professional. There is no time for "take two's" at your wedding, so pick the right person for the job. Take your time, research, and find the best wedding videographer to take part in your special occasion.

How to choose a wedding videographer

• Ask the candidate to let you view a few different weddings they have worked. Any upstanding wedding videographer would be more than happy to let you view what they have done. If they have a problem with letting you see their material or state they do not have any for viewing, then move on to the next candidate.
• Ask for testimonials or references from other couples whose wedding they have recorded. Anyone can say they are spectacular at their craft, but you can get a more realistic view from speaking to others who have experienced it firsthand.
• Ask about their equipment and methods. You do not have to be seasoned in their profession or know their terminology; a good artist can relate to novices in laymen's terms. They will want you to understand what they are capable of doing for you and your spouse-to-be.
• Ask them how long it will take to edit the footage and engineer a final copy of the wedding. In addition, ask them if they work with a team. Are they going to be the one at the wedding? Will they be doing the editing? You might not want to work with a firm that is going to hire a freelance wedding videographer to film your wedding. You won't know unless you ask.

Choose your style of filming

Each person and couple is different. Make the wedding videographer cater to your style by making a video that matches you rather than have them video your wedding in their vision. Consider the following styles:

• If you are looking for a more classical cinematic experience, then you want the wedding videographer to concentrate on particular occasions. You want them to capture the bride walking down the aisle, the exchange of vows, the cutting of the cake, the first dance as a wedded couple, etc.
• You may want your wedding videographer to take a more candid approach by capturing the magic of the day as it happens. Rather than having things "staged," you may want things to be recorded naturally as they happen. The smiles, cries, and laughter can be immortalized on film without anyone knowing the film is rolling.

The wedding videographer and their equipment is a tool for your vision. It is your wedding, so discuss the way you would like it recorded with the professional. Whether you want them to focus on key scenes or to highlight the specific personality of your wedding, it is your call to make.

Choose a videographer with whom you have good chemistry. Select one that can understand your personal style and translate it onto film while adding their experience behind the camera.