Choosing a Videographer: Some Expert Advice

Susan Ludbrook of WHITE Wedding Video offers some expert advice on choosing the company who will make your wedding last a lifetime.

When considering who to use as a wedding videographer, it is useful to keep in mind a few important things. Did you get a good impression from the videographer when you first met him or her? Does the company seem professional and respond to your questions promptly? If your answer is "no" to any of the above, then the video company may not be professional - i.e. it could be a weekend hobby or a part time job. Be aware that this may mean that the total service and final product might not be of a high standard.

Do you want a video company who will 'direct' you in front of the camera, or are you looking for a more natural and unobtrusive style? Remember that wedding video company's editing styles vary tremendously. Some companies use editing techniques that could date very quickly while others use methods that are timeless and classic.

Many people have talked about the importance of two or more cameras being used on the wedding day. Remember that the use of multiple cameras does not necessarily guarantee you a better video. If a video company is professional and is trained in the special nature of wedding videography, then they know how to work incredibly hard on the day to capture all of the special moments that happen - regardless of whether they have one, two or twelve cameras! If the company does offer two or more cameras, ensure that they have an operator for each camera, as a 'static' (unmanned) camera is not as effective. It's important to have someone who can react to what is unfolding during the day, can change camera angles and can adjust sound and picture quality when necessary. Make sure that all camera operators have a set plan so they know exactly what, where and when they are shooting.

It pays to ask video companies about their production time as well. Four to six weeks after the wedding date is absolutely acceptable, as a lot of time and effort goes into post production. If you need your video produced by a certain time, then the company should be able to make that happen for you, within reason of course. It is quite important to understand the amount of editing that different companies offer. Some do an 'in camera' or very light edit of the original footage, while others spend many hours creating the final version for you.

Lastly, don't be fooled by 'techno speak' such as HDV DVCam Mpeg 2 Mpeg 4 3CCD etc. Trust your eye on the quality you see in the demos that companies send to you or that you see at the company's premises. If what you see and hear looks and sounds good, then it is!