What To Expect From A Videographer?

staceycaine

I'm trying to get quotes from videographers, and I don't even really know what I want, because really, I don't want to spend $600 for 30 minutes on tape that we'll never watch, but my mom wants me to have it, so I'll find the money I guess.

That said--I've never seen a wedding on video (nor do I think I'll watch mine, but whatever). So...do they just do the ceremony? Do they typically do prior/after, too? I don't know how long to tell them I need them for or anything. Do I want one shooter or two?

Hoenstly I wish I just knew someone with a video camera. This seems silly.

charlet cinema

What to look for is someone who understands good cinema. I film the whole day with a cinema camera and edit you video to look and feel like a movie. People want to watch that. Your average videographer just points and shoots and sets it on a tripod. And you pay money for that. I haven't posted weddings I have done online so far except one that I was limited on the equipment they allowed me to have in the church. You can watch it on www.charletography.com or come visit the site again tuesday because I will have a good wedding video done then to give you a reference as to what you should look for. It should be a video you will enjoy watching once a year on your anniversary.

staceycaine

*sigh* Vendors.

kayleaandwes

I think you can expect whatever from the videographer, you just have to tell them what you want (or rather, i guess what your mom wants).

 I wasn't planning on using one to begin with, but we went ahead and set up with one in our area (milestonepictures.co [no m] if you wanted to check them out to get an idea of a wedding video, but they are too far away from you to use). I wasn't sure what to expect either but they have a package that has all the footage from the day, not edited (so i get to see everything that I missed/can't remember) plus they do like a movie trailer where they edit together the highlights. I love watching the videos they have up on their site, and those are of strangers, so i'm sure i'll watch at least my highlight video dozens of times, which will be worth the extra expense.

Good luck!

cliffordmatheson

It sounds like you have never seen a professionally produced wedding video.  You might want to watch a few – there are certainly many good ones out there in cyberspace, of course, there is also a lot of junk unfortunately.  I have a feeling once you have watched a good one; you might decide it is something you might watch from time to time. If you had a 3-minute highlights version uploaded to your cell phone or iPOD, or Facebook page, you might find yourself proudly sharing it with others at every opportunity.  All said, you said that your mom wants the video – why don’t you ask your mom what sort of video she wants?  Maybe she wants only the ceremony? Perhaps she wants a 1.5 hour long-form version.  It could be she just wants a highlights version for her Blackberry.  Since she is driving this, perhaps it is only fair that she pays for it.  That is also worth exploring.  Good luck!  P.S.  I am a successful full-time videographer in the DC area and after hundreds of events; I feel I am qualified to offer this advice.