Too often, the question of whether or not to have a videographer will prompt a response from photographers akin to the asking a Holden fan whether they think a Ford is a good car… But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Like anything, there is the good, the bad and the ugly of videography (and photography). From a photographers perspective, when clients ask me if they should have a videographer I generally say “Yes. If your budget allows it, you definitely won’t regret hiring the right Videographer”
Yes. The “Right” videographer. Just like your photographer, there will be the right one for you. Just because they have 4000 followers on Facebook, or because they are cheap, or because they wear a fedora, doesn’t make them the right one for you. That is a question that is unique to you as a couple and to your circumstance and priorities.
There are so many valid reasons for having a Wedding video. It could be family or loved ones cannot make it to your wedding, it could be that you just love watching videos, or maybe you just want to record everything, in photo and video for your children and your children’s children.
If you have decided that video is important enough to you, part of deciding on the right videographer is to set your priorities. You will need to decide whether Video takes precedence over photography, or photography is your priority.. or maybe they are equal. This will be an important consideration for making your decision about who to hire, both regarding your photographer and your videographer.
I’m going to be brutally honest here. Not all Videographers and Photographers can get along, sometimes personalities clash, and styles don’t work together. Some Videographers work best when they are given priority, and can get the shots they want without worrying about blocking a photographers shot, and vice versa. But the real professionals get along, and give you the absolute best.
First, the photographers perspective- I have worked with plenty of awesome videographers, and I am confident that as long as I know where my couples priority is, I can work alongside almost any. I am totally fine with a videographer taking the lead, and having me stay out of the way in the background. I am also equally as comfortable with taking the lead myself, or working cohesively on an equal footing with the video team. The danger lies in the grey areas. I am not one to ever allow anything to do with my job to cause my couples stress on the day, but I have had some less than amazing experiences that are worth discussing. Now lets be clear, I know photographers can be as equally guilty of these crimes as any videographer, so what I suggest is that my couples always let them both know what, if anything, takes priority.
Now every Photographer has their way of working, and I tend to be the quieter non extroverted type. When I do portraits of my couples, I want to give them the space to feel genuine emotion, I don’t sing, dance, do acrobatics or play the clown to create reactions that aren’t genuine to the emotion of the day. So I tend to like my space through these sessions. Most videographers that I have worked with will respect this and either step back to organise their equipment, or just work silently alongside me, and allow me to do the same for them. For my style, it is best not to have an extrovert videographer that stands behind me pulling faces, cracking jokes or just chatting to the couple. That may work well for some, but not for me.
Likewise, during the ceremony and reception, it is great for photographers and videographers alike to coordinate and not get in each others shots. Often a videographer might have a standard shot following the bride closely during the precessional, but the photographer might want a wide shot showing the brides dress and train from behind down the aisle. These two shots cannot be done simultaneously, so cooperation between the two teams is essential, or someone has to miss a shot. With coordination and communication, your videographers and photographers will both be a able to execute their vision and give you the best photos and video possible.
I guess what I am saying is that you should always set your priorities and advise your videographers and photographers of these. Don’t worry about bruised egos, we are professionals and ego has no place in what we do. We are here to record your day, and so make sure we understand what you want. Any professional will be able to take this and either step up, or step back as your preferences require.
“Speaking about choosing the right videographer, it is all about your taste and how you would like your videos to be done. But just keep in mind what they are presenting to you after the wedding. Do they produce you the full recording of the ceremony? Do they have at least two cameras to capture your ceremony from various angles? I’m confident you don’t want to watch a “one-shot” video for 40 minutes without any editing/cutting, why not just use your own DV cam? Plus, you have to make sure do they deliver or record speeches at the reception? Do they have other cameras to capture the reactions? If not, the speeches would be completely missing, or it would be another “one-shot” 1-hour video. So, if the videographer only gives you a 5min or a 15min “highlight” or “documentary” video, he might not be your choice. Because this is once in a lifetime occasion, every minute is important to you.”
So, who are my “go-to” guys for video? Well as always, in no particular order, here they are: