Brandon H Robinson of Grape Video explains how to Really choose the right videographer for your special day.
United States of America (Press Release) September 13, 2007 --
How To REALLY Choose A Videographer
Do yourself a favor, take every article you have ever read about wedding videography in a magazine and throw them away. Every day I am asked over and over the same questions: Will you be the actual videographer on my wedding day? What types of camera equipment do you use, microphones and so on? Instead of reading the generic, and often pointless questions written by someone who knows little or nothing about videography, stick to what matters – Quality, Price, History, and References.
Over the years I have learned so many things about the wedding videography industry as a whole. There are countless amateurs jumping in and out of business, changing names, and leaving the bride and groom with a poor video. So how do you separate the poor from the best?
Tip 1 Trash the Reel
Every Videographer is happy to show you a 5-minute clip or highlight reel of a wedding or series of weddings set to a beautiful song. Toss it in the trash and ask for a finished product. Flashy demos are not what your wedding video is going to look like. Nor is it what you will want to watch for the rest of your lives. And don’t just ask to see a recent wedding video. Demand it. If there is any hesitation it should correlate as being a big Red Flag. This also helps to answer the question of turn-around time of the wedding videographer.
Tip 2 Real Experience is not Reel Experience
As with any business or product, a company that has thrived in an industry for a long period of time is there for a reason. Having knowledge about what happens at weddings or events, including culturally diverse events, is of the utmost importance. And don’t be overly impressed with anyone who has been in the “television or film industry”. Wedding videography is the furthest thing from television and film production you can get. Find someone who has been a wedding videographer for a number of years and has filmed enough events that he or she will not miss anything important at yours.
Tip 3 You don’t want a Videographer, you want a Wedding Videographer
What is most frustrating for professionals in the wedding videography industry is aspiring filmmakers and television amateurs who are doing wedding videography as a side job. As I had stated earlier, Wedding Videography is the furthest thing from Film and Television production there is. This is not a tip this is a RULE. Go to the videographer's website and see if they are a one-stop shop for video production services including corporate videography, television, or film. If so, they are not wedding videographers. Keep your guard up because the videographer is likely an amateur who lacks passion for his or her work. Otherwise why wouldn’t they just film weddings?
Tip 4 You WILL Regret It
Still Deciding weather or not to hire a videographer? 9 out of 10 brides polled after their wedding regret not hiring a videographer making wedding videography the single most over-looked purchase. By applying the tips in your search for the perfect videographer on your day I guarantee you will be happy with your purchase.
Brandon H. Robinson is the President of Grape Video Productions Inc. He has been a wedding videographer since the age of 15 following in his parent’s footsteps, founders and pioneers in the Wedding Videography industry. For more information or tips from Brandon please go to: http://www.GrapeVideo.com or e-mail him directly Brandon@grapevideo.com.
Do yourself a favor, take every article you have ever read about wedding videography in a magazine and throw them away. Every day I am asked over and over the same questions: Will you be the actual videographer on my wedding day? What types of camera equipment do you use, microphones and so on? Instead of reading the generic, and often pointless questions written by someone who knows little or nothing about videography, stick to what matters – Quality, Price, History, and References.
Over the years I have learned so many things about the wedding videography industry as a whole. There are countless amateurs jumping in and out of business, changing names, and leaving the bride and groom with a poor video. So how do you separate the poor from the best?
Tip 1 Trash the Reel
Every Videographer is happy to show you a 5-minute clip or highlight reel of a wedding or series of weddings set to a beautiful song. Toss it in the trash and ask for a finished product. Flashy demos are not what your wedding video is going to look like. Nor is it what you will want to watch for the rest of your lives. And don’t just ask to see a recent wedding video. Demand it. If there is any hesitation it should correlate as being a big Red Flag. This also helps to answer the question of turn-around time of the wedding videographer.
Tip 2 Real Experience is not Reel Experience
As with any business or product, a company that has thrived in an industry for a long period of time is there for a reason. Having knowledge about what happens at weddings or events, including culturally diverse events, is of the utmost importance. And don’t be overly impressed with anyone who has been in the “television or film industry”. Wedding videography is the furthest thing from television and film production you can get. Find someone who has been a wedding videographer for a number of years and has filmed enough events that he or she will not miss anything important at yours.
Tip 3 You don’t want a Videographer, you want a Wedding Videographer
What is most frustrating for professionals in the wedding videography industry is aspiring filmmakers and television amateurs who are doing wedding videography as a side job. As I had stated earlier, Wedding Videography is the furthest thing from Film and Television production there is. This is not a tip this is a RULE. Go to the videographer's website and see if they are a one-stop shop for video production services including corporate videography, television, or film. If so, they are not wedding videographers. Keep your guard up because the videographer is likely an amateur who lacks passion for his or her work. Otherwise why wouldn’t they just film weddings?
Tip 4 You WILL Regret It
Still Deciding weather or not to hire a videographer? 9 out of 10 brides polled after their wedding regret not hiring a videographer making wedding videography the single most over-looked purchase. By applying the tips in your search for the perfect videographer on your day I guarantee you will be happy with your purchase.
Brandon H. Robinson is the President of Grape Video Productions Inc. He has been a wedding videographer since the age of 15 following in his parent’s footsteps, founders and pioneers in the Wedding Videography industry. For more information or tips from Brandon please go to: http://www.GrapeVideo.com or e-mail him directly Brandon@grapevideo.com.
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