Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A. Interview your videographer! Just like you would interview an employee for a position that you have available. Try to get a feel for the type of person they are.
In my opinion, there are 3 vital considerations that come into play when selecting a videographer for your wedding video. Your wedding video is an investment that you really should not take lightly. I will give you 3 questions to ask of your wedding videographer in your initial interview with him or her. While these are not all inclusive, it will make you somewhat of a more educated consumer when it comes to wedding videography. I am always happy to answer bride’s questions about video. Even if not using my company (J and J Digital Media) for the wedding.
1. Do you shoot in high definition? Thankfully, with today’s technology videographers no longer have to worry about generation loss. Most videographers today, shoot in at least digital format. This means that from the time the video is captured with the camera, transferred to the computer to have the editing done, to the time it is burned to a DVD it remains in digital format so there is very little if any “generation loss.” If the video footage is shot in high definition, it will remain in that format and should be delivered to you in that format. When you play it back on a high definition TV, you can see a noticeable difference in quality.
2. Do use a cordless microphone? Good quality sound is arguably as important as quality video. You will want to hear your fiancé say, “I do,”and not someone who is coughing in the background. A UHF microphone (ultra high frequency) will eliminate background noise and feedback from other electronic devices that may be in use at the wedding venue or from nearby work crews, garage door openers etc. which commonly occur with VHF cordless microphones. So, if the videographer says he uses a cordless microphone it may not be a bad idea to ask him or her, “vhf or uhf.” A good videographer will know the difference or how to work around the weaknesses that may be posed by VHF and some lower frequency UHF microphones when it comes to sound.
3. Do you attend the rehearsal? You have you ever heard of the five P’s. I won’t mention them here, but something to do with planning and performance and the lack thereof. By attending the rehearsal, one can plan the major shoots in the wedding, some may be spontaneous, but the major ones must not be blocked by flowers or the back of someone’s head. It is essential to ensure that the most important shots are not obstructed by something that was not planned for during the rehearsal. The wedding party needs to be aware of where the videographer will shoot from so he is not getting the back of the best man’s head for half of the ceremony. If something does come up like that, is there an alternate shooting location that the videographer can identify during the rehearsal or a way to communicate without being noticed during the ceremony.
I can answer yes to these questions and many more questions related to producing high quality video.
You can reach me on my website or call me. I would be happy to consult with you about your video.
About the Author
Bennie Cheatham
Professional Experience
1. Staff sports videographer, Alabama A & M University, Athletic Department, 1987
2. Bachelor of Arts Degree Telecommunications (Television Production),1988
3. WAFF, Huntsville AL. Camera Operator and Producer 1986 to 1988
4. Volunteer Church Videographer and Producer, Brown Baptist Church, Southaven, MS 2002 to 2007
5. Owner of J and J Digital Media, Wedding Videography 1994 to Present
Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?
A. The biggest secret these days? (I really don't want this to come accross as negative and I will be carefull to not have it come accross that way) With the advent of new technology and that technology becoming more affordable, I see more competition in the market. Customers should be exrememly careful about who they hire as a videographer. I have seen video shot with pro-level gear that miss so many of the basics in shooting good video. Basics such as microphone placement at weddings, ill placed cuts or transitions that take away from the story of the day and fades to black which should repersent the passage of time, inadverantly placed where they should not be. No one that I know wakes up in the morning to go out and do a bad job videotaping a wedding or a fashion show, but if the videographer is not trained in the basics, you will get what you pay for, a less than perfect video. Don't allow an amature to gain experience at the expense of your event. It is too important.
Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?
A. We balance quality with affordability. There is no need to pay the highest price for the best quality. We provide straight forward pricing and we will never "nickel and dime" you for items that should already be included in a wedding video. Many companies can claim that they have the latest cameras and with technology becoming more affordable there is no doubt that there are numerous competitors with cameras. The difference is that I am a trained videographer. I have earned a bachelors degree in television production and have produced literally, hundreds of wedding videos. Please visit our website and look as some of the samples that we have on display. We will deliver the quality and price that you are looking for.
Q. What do you like most about your job?
A. I am passionate about wedding videography. I love to see and hear satisfied customers. I enjoy seeing young couples begin thier lives together. I help make memories last forever!!!
Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A. How long have you been in wedding videography? I have been in this industry for over 15 years. I started my business in Houston, Tx and moved to Atlanta, GA a year ago.
Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?
A. I take my work exremely serious. I will always have the best interest of my customer as I coordinate with other members of the wedding team. I plan my production by conducting a recon during the wedding rehearsal so that other vendors and the wedding party know what my plan is. I recon the route from ceremony to the reception to understand the timing and potential choke points that I may encounter on the wedding day, so that I can plan for them. There are many potential mishaps that may happen on a wedding day, I minimize them with detailed planning.
Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?
A. The reason I decided to get into, "wedding videography" is somewhat bitter-sweet. I started in the wedding industry in 1993 after I made the unfortunate mistake of having a non-professional, videotape my own wedding. When I tell you that the video was bad-"it was awful." Having already earned a Bachelor's Degree in Television Production, I invested in video production equipment and became passionate about striving for excellence in the wedding videography industry, so that no other couple would have to endure what I did.
So, now my motto is D-L-U-V. That right
Don't
Let
Uncles
Videotape
Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?
A. I read consistently. I don't have to tell you that technology is moving ahead by leaps and bounds. I subscribe to industry trade magazines such as, Videomaker, DVMagazine and I attend trade shows.
Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?
A. In the near future the price of 3d video cameras will drop so that it will be affordable to many pro level videographers. Many high end still cameras have the ability to record high definition video and this is being offered by photographers. One concern is that one person cannot possibly shoot both stills and video effectively. I would have a big concern with anyone that says they can shoot effectively.
Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.
A. You will find that our pricing structure is simple and straight forward. We don't, "nickel and dime," you for items which should come standard as part of a professional wedding video. Some of our services are "a la carte" simply because some services have to be documented as stand alone services.
