Asked By:
Christine
in
Videographers
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180 days ago
Leon's Answer
Deciding on the best videographer for your event will not be easy unless you have a great deal of experience. The quality and style of videographers varies enormously, so it is worth paying attention to some useful tips we have put together.
1. Samples.
The first and most obvious place to start when choosing your videographer is to look at their previous work. Most established videographers will have examples of their work online, but be careful these are recent and not a montage of different ones. A few good samples should be enough to get a sense of their style and professionalism.
Things to look out for are the quality of the picture composition; whether the editing flows or feels slow and laborious; and whether there is a coherent sense of story. Be especially aware of companies that over-use effects - this can often be to compensate for poor camerawork and stylistically your video could look very dated within a few years.
If you are satisfied with the samples you see online, the next thing to do is ask for a sample DVD. Any established videographer will be able to send you at least 2 individual samples that are relevant to your type of event. Be wary of companies that send you incomplete material, examples that are several years old, or are wholly inappropriate. These sample DVDs will give you the truest sense of what you can expect from a videographer and you shouldn't book them unless you are satisfied with this.
2. Costs.
Producing a video to a professional standard costs money and so it is important to have a realistic budget. Naturally the most talented and experienced videographers are usually in greatest demand and so are likely to charge more. Whatever you can comfortably afford, it is important you find out exactly what you are getting for your money before committing yourself.
Otherwise, you can easily find yourself paying additional charges for services that might be included by others.
3. Methods.
An often overlooked issue when commissioning a videographer is to enquire about their working methods. You could easily find your wedding day turned into a movie set as your videographer orders guests where to stand and how to 'act' for the camera.
They may also conflict with your photographer as they both vie for the best vantage points - only to obscure each others work. Wedding videography in particular is best when it is discreet and observational - the equivalent of reportage photography. Therefore ask your videographer to describe how they work before booking them.
4. Equipment.
You might also enquire about their equipment. A videographer tends to use much more equipment than a photographer. In addition to the video camera(s), they should have a tripod and sound recording equipment.
The size of camera is not an indication of the quality of the filming, however you should obviously be wary of any videographer using a domestic camera. Another thing to check is how the videographer records sound. Many inexperienced videographers use camera-mounted microphones.
5. Experience.
It is important when choosing a videographer, especially for a wedding, that you satisfy yourself they have adequate experience of your particular type of wedding ceremony and culture. It isn't just that the ceremonies differ, it's the customs, music and whole character of them.
If you choose someone who doesn't understand the customs and rituals of your particular wedding, then don't be surprised if something is missing from your final wedding DVD. Similarly for other types of events, whether it is a live concert, awards ceremony or conference, there are countless small details that only a company with experience could properly manage. Therefore before booking a videographer, be sure they really understand your event.
7. Meeting.
Wherever possible it is a good idea to arrange a meeting with your selected videographer(s) before making a booking. This will enable you to assess their professionalism, interest and commitment to producing your film project. This is also the best time to ask questions about their experience, working methods and what is included in the price.
If a meeting in person isn't possible due to distance or timing, then you should at least have a chat over the phone. This will still help you assess the videographer's attitude and professionalism - and remember event filming can be a very personal business therefore you should be comfortable with whoever you book!
With a collection of this site http://www.weddingpopular.com/video-photography/videographers/ you will find a best videographer for your wedding
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180 days ago |
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