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Choosing the right videographer for your wedding may be one of the most
difficult and important decisions you make when planning your wedding.
Professional wedding videography is rapidly becoming a preferred medium for
recording and preserving wedding memories many in a documentary or motion
picture style. This is NOT wedding video of the 80's.
A 2003 survey, commissioned by WEVA International (the leading trade
association for professional wedding and event videographers) and conducted
by Breakthrough Marketing, Inc., revealed that the value of video is greater
with brides who use professional video services compared to those who don't.
Before the wedding, 41% of brides using a professional videographer consider
videography a Top 5 service. But after the wedding the number grows to 59%
who consider video a Top 5 service. And, after the wedding, 94% of these
brides say they consider professional videography at least a Top 10 service.
One of the most surprising findings of the survey is the second thoughts,
even regrets, among brides who decided not to utilize the services of
professional videographers. Among brides who used a friend or family member
to videotape their wedding instead of using a professional, nearly half
(49%) said they would hire a professional if they had it all to do over
again.
According to the survey, these second thoughts are even more pronounced with
brides who didn't have their weddings videotaped at all. In hindsight, 60%
say they wished they had had their weddings videotaped. As brides look back
at their wedding, the survey showed that 79% of brides agree that future
brides should at least consider using a professional to videotape their
wedding day. Those feelings are even more pronounced among the brides who
utilized the services of professional videographers, 95% of whom think
future brides should consider using a professional videographer.
So what to look for? Style, cost, talent, personality and professionalism
are all considerations:
Style: Does the videographer have a number of different styles? Insist on
seeing several samples of the videographers work, preferably in a studio
environment. If your looking for a discreet videographer, make sure they
don't have harsh lighting and are unobtrusive. Observe the editing style and
the inclusion of additional music and photo montages, to see if the
videographer fits your taste.
Cost: A major factor for all brides choosing a videographer. Ask the
videographer what the package includes. With todays technology your images
should be in the DVD format, not video tape. The cost should include the
on-site shoot, video production, editing and packaging of the final DVD
product.
Talent: Because of the ease of using a digital video cameras, many new
videographers are appearing claiming to be able to shoot your most important
event. Make sure your wedding isn't their training ground. Find out how many
years they have actually been in business, ask to see a number of different
sample weddings videos and ask for referrals and testimonials.
Personality: Yes, this is extremely important. You want someone who is
personable, friendly and likes what they do. No matter how talented your
videographer may be, you don't want someone who does not respect the
occasion or the clients wishes. Also, check with your other vendors to see
who they recommend and like to work with. The DJ Network provides an
extensive referral network of vendors.
Professional: Lastly, you want someone who puts off a professional vibe.
They should blend in by dressing as you would expect your guests to dress
for this important occasion, respect the rules of the church and the
minister, and deliver what you agree on in a timely manner. They should have
the right equipment to handle your event, state of the art low light
broadcast quality camera's, wireless UHF microphones, adequate back-up
camera and digital editing equipment.
Keeping these ideas in mind will help you select the right videographer to
capture the events of your very special day. As the above survey results
reveal professional videography has become very important to today's brides
and more emphasis needs to be placed on videography in the wedding planning
process. Remember, years from now your memories will fade but a quality
digital video will remain for your children to watch and for you to reflect
on this most important day of your life.
Fran
Gagnon Videography |