Videography

Pre-Record What You Can

A wedding video doesn’t always have to be about the ceremony and celebration, a wedding can take years to create, and it’s in that process of planning that a wedding truly starts. Sometimes, the focus of your wedding video can be about the preparation, more than the actual wedding itself. So, why not record and capture the entire process?

Of course, it can be a bit expensive, having a videographer follow you day and night, as you’re going about your day, not to mention a little daunting if you’re not used to the camera. So, instead, get a family member, or a friend to capture it for you. These pre-wedding videos can act as a video diary and capture the excitement and anticipation you felt when you began preparing for your wedding. And when they’re edited together, for your wedding video, they can serve as a nostalgic experience.

Not only that, you could even include recordings of the proposal itself, into the wedding video too. After all, it’s still a major moment in your life, so why not capture the moment where it all began? It’ll be a great opening to your video, and will set the tone for the rest of it.

Screen Record Is Your Best Friend

When it comes to the big day, don’t forget that you can also record the reactions of those virtually attending your wedding. While they might not have a physical presence at your wedding, they’re still there, on the computer, and thanks to technology, you can record their reactions without any fuss. 

Your videographer won’t be standing in their faces, trying to capture that one stray tear. They won’t be blocking their view of you as you say your vows to each other, and there won’t be any background noise with the shuffling of feet or the clicking of cameras, because there won’t be any need. It’s already on the screen, and with screen recording technology, you’ll be able to capture and immortalize every one of their reactions.

Good Editing Is A Must

Of course, with any wedding video, good editing is necessary, but with Zoom weddings, they’re even more essential. Because your guests will be virtually attending your wedding, you may not feel that the big day was as magical as it should be, but with a good remote editor, they’ll be able to find those missed moments.

While you might have been focused on one thing, your videographer or screen recorder would have captured everything else. That tear on your mother’s face, or the silent sniffle of your best friend, would have been captured by them when your back was turned. And your editor would have noticed, added them into the video, and reminded you that although the day itself wasn’t as glamorous as it could have been, there were still some beautiful moments that you’d missed, while you were focused on the wedding itself.

Embrace The Change

Having a big wedding might have been the dream at the start, but there is something more intimate about small weddings. So, although not everyone can be physically with you, on your wedding day, embrace the intimacy of the handful that are there. After all, you can always have a big party later, so enjoy the big day, without the fuss and stress that comes with planning a big wedding.

Not to mention, you’ll forgo the usual drama that comes with a big wedding. And even if you do hold the reception at a later date, you won’t be so caught up with the stress of being the host, you’ll be able to enjoy the party with everyone. You’ll be much more relaxed, and you won’t have to worry about the order of things. It’s all thrown out the window anyway, so go with the flow.

Trust The Process

So, whether you’re holding a big wedding or a Zoom wedding, don’t forget that your wedding video will remind you how amazing and beautiful a wedding is, and whether it’s through footage of the process itself, the proposal, or the reaction of your family, friends, and guests, no matter how it’s filmed, or where and when, a wedding is a joyous occasion. So, trust the process, speak to your videographer, and video editor, and make sure that they know exactly what you want from your wedding video. Make sure they know exactly how you’re holding your wedding, and what they need to do, to ensure that every beautiful moment is recorded.

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2. Get Comfortable

Sometimes, people are naturally good in front of a camera. They can show emotions, but not be too dramatic, they can be subtle, but not be robotic or wooden. However, for many of us, that feat can be difficult. We’re not always exposed to a camera, and we’re not always ready for that lens that’s pointing at us. In one word, we’re not all photogenic. It can take time both for you, your partner, and your guests to get used to the camera.

So, get used to having a camera pointed at you. Get comfortable with your videographer and be ready for surprise close-ups. Sometimes, a videographer will breach your personal space, to get that all-important tear on your face, or if they’re clever with the zoom on their camera, they’ll shoot it from afar. No matter what method they employ, get comfortable with a camera and its videographer, because knowing that it’s pointed at you can either make you stiff or act out in ways that you may regret later.

3. Be Confident

One of the best ways to show off the emotions you feel is by being confident. That means dress confidently. It’s your wedding day after all, so no matter what you look like, as long as you’re confident, you’ll shine brightly, and the natural emotions you’ll exude will show up on the camera. 

So, get your hair and makeup done right, wear that elegant and graceful wedding dress, and strut your stuff down the aisle, because your wedding day is supposed to be filled with joy, happiness, laughter, and love. Show the camera, and your videographer, that you can be confident, even when the camera isn’t pointed at you.

4. Know The Process

A wedding day is a momentous occasion, not only do you need to remember what to do during the ceremony, the schedule of the day, and the rounds of speeches you need to listen to, you also need to remember the filming process too. While you may not be filming a movie, with those big and lavish sets, or camera crews, you’re still filming, and that means there will be some staged scenes that you’ll need to be a part of.

The film, regardless of what type of film, has a process, whereby the camera crew needs to set up for certain shots, or they need to move about to get the right angle, or they need to get up close and personal, to shoot those poignant expressions on your face. So, talk to your videographer, and understand their process. Some can be invasive, while others are not. You need to understand what they want to do, so you know how you need to act when the time comes.

Ignore The Camera

The best way to get candid footage of not only you but your guests as well as to ignore the camera. Set an example for them, so they can feel comfortable too. You’re not the only one who’ll be featured in your wedding video. Your guests will be too, and if they’re not comfortable, it’ll show. So, set an example. Have fun and get your guests to have fun too. Only then will your video feel and look more natural.

It can be difficult for some, but if you can coax them out of their shell, you’ll be able to show their true nature on video. And if you’re showing your wedding video to future children and grandchildren, you’ll be able to tell them the story behind their reaction.

Bonus: Edit The Best Version Of Yourself

Needless to say, a wedding video shows the highlights of the day. It doesn’t matter how long or short it is, both the best and worst of the day will be captured, so make sure that they “make it through the cutting floor”, as the saying goes. Hire a good editor to make sure it is the best version of the day as it can be, and if scouring the internet for reliable sources seems too much, trust us. We at Cut Pro Media will ensure that even the tiniest detail that might seem insignificant makes it through to the final edit. Because even a small flower or a table setting can set up the right look for the next scene in your video. Our team of experienced editors will edit the best version of your wedding day for you, and they won’t leave anything out. So, check out our website for more information and our price packages.

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I’m Looking For Experience

Another reason why some editors have low prices is that they’re amateurs, looking for industry experience. These editors can be very difficult to handle. It’s because they’ve either graduated from an elite school, with a qualification, or they’re still in school, and the only way they can pass their course is by having some form of professional experience. These amateurs are a big “hit and miss” situation, because some are good at what they do and can create a professional quality video, or they’re still trying to understand the basics. Not only that, some of them may be working on several projects at once since they’re either still in school, or they’re trying to churn out videos as proof of their “professionalism”.

That’s why it can be difficult to secure a good freelance video editor. If you’re dealing with an amateur, you’re going to need proof that they’re as good as they say they are. So, you will need to ask for a portfolio or a showreel that they’d edited together. You will need to see complete works, like films, commercial videos, music videos, and wedding videos. You will need to see proof of their certification, and qualification. There are so many things you’ll need to ask for that sometimes it can be too much, and too overwhelming. So, you give up. If you are dealing with amateurs, graduates, and those looking for experience, you will need to exercise a lot of patience, because you need to make sure that these amateurs are up to the task, and if not, you’ll be left with a half-finished project, and no one to sell that video to.

I’m Far Too Experienced For You

Now, let’s take a look at the other end of the scale. There are those who sell their services at extortionate prices. Some are more justified than others. Like with the ridiculously cheap options, you can also get big-time scammers on this end. The prices and portfolios these scammers display could be taken from others, who are legitimate editors, and when you send off your video to them, you’ll get a video that doesn’t even look half as decent as the videos they’d claimed they’d made. Not only that, they’ve ripped you off, scammed you out of your money, for a shoddy job or a half-completed piece, with (and I quote) “I’m far too busy with more high-profiled work, you’re better off with someone who is less experienced than I am”. Yeah right!

Of course, there are those that are genuinely good editors, but how can you separate them from the scammers? It can be very difficult to tell the scammer from the professional, and as with the amateurs, it’s a game of chance. And even if you’ve done your homework, scoured the Internet for reviews and portfolios, you may still end up with a less-than-desirable video.

I’m Attached To This Studio, You’ll Need To Take It Up With Them

Another major setback to hiring a good video editor is that they’re attached to production companies or studios. What this means is they could be attached to a big studio name, like Warner Bros, or 20th Century Fox. They could even be a part of smaller names, but the situation is still the same. They’ll charge extortionist prices because they need to attach the studio or company’s names to your project. Why? Because they work for them. So, instead of hiring one video editor, you might be hiring a whole production team, because the studio will need to get involved.

Trust Outsourced

Don’t worry. Outsourced video editors aren’t attached to production companies, nor are they sole traders, who could easily scam you. They’re reliable, experienced, and you can guarantee that their prices are set. They won’t change, and there is no need for haggling. What you see is what you get, and if you trust us at Cut Pro Media, you’ll be sure that no matter what your project is, you’ll get professional quality videos in return. Our editors are experienced, they’re reliable, and they will do their very best to ensure your video is the best quality it can be. We can create videos appropriate to any and all platforms, from social media to the big screen. You name it. Check out our price plans and packages. There will be one for you.

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Make It Short

This trend is becoming more and more popular, with social media and the internet introducing time limits for videos and reels. In the digital age, people can upload fast montages of clips to highlight what they’re doing. Quick snaps of videos to the beat of music are fast becoming a trend on TikTok, so why not make it a part of your wedding video, or even the wedding video itself. No one has time to sit through an hour-long video anymore, so why make one?

Shaving down the time of your wedding video to that of a short film, which usually lasts about 10 minutes, will give you all the highlights you need. You don’t need to watch the bride and groom greet all their guests. You don’t need the full ceremony, or all the picture taking. Using the highlights of the wedding should be enough for your video, and should be something that everyone can watch, without having to break out the popcorn.

A Modern Retro Flair

Over the last few decades, color has become one of the most important aspects of video and film. However, something must be said about the traditional black and white footage of the early days of film. They bring about that sense of nostalgia and sentimentality and can be a great addition to your wedding video. By all means, shoot in color, and bring out the vibrancy of the day with it, but for some couples, it might be a good idea to have a black and white option, if it works with the style of your wedding.

After all, there might be some wedding themes that allow for that flickering and grainy look or even the home video style. With recent developments for phone cameras, you’ll get professional-quality videos, but it is the shaky and pixelated look of old home videos that bring out that nostalgia as well. So, adding that retro flair can give your wedding videos life and character.

Watch Out For That Drone

Technology hasn’t left video technology behind. In fact, it’s brought it up a level. This is especially true with Go-Pro cameras and Drones. By using drones to film your wedding, it’ll make the special day even more epic. With the wide and sweeping vistas of the place surrounding the wedding, it’ll feel like it was a big day, a day that you’ll never forget.

Make It Quick

Once again, with technology constantly evolving, so too is the video and film industry, and that means editing a video can be done much more quickly. In fact, it could even be completely edited the next day, and if you are in a hurry, and you want to watch the video on your honeymoon, then you can be sure that you’ll get it, as long as you let your videographer, or editor, know.

Not only that, you could even have your video edited on the same day. You’ll have to sit down with the videographer and editor, to see what they’re doing and what you’d like to add or remove, but what’s a little less sleep, if you get the highlights of the best day of your life immediately? This may be an expensive option, but if it means you can enjoy the forgotten moments, at least it’s worth it.

Choose Your Trend

Of course, there are so many trends out there, but one will fit you. After all, you don’t need to stick with the classics, or the most popular, to get the right wedding video for you. Sometimes, all it takes is one amazing example, and you’re already sold on the style, genre, and look of your wedding video.

With Cut Pro Media, you can be sure that we’ll fit that style, no matter how obscure it may seem. Our team of dedicated and experienced editors will make a wedding video that not only highlights the good parts, but reminds you of all the funny, dramatic, and touching moments that you might have missed while enjoying the day with family and friends. We can guarantee that you’ll also get your video, when you want and how you want. All you need to do is send us your footage, tell us what you want, and when you want it, and we’ll do the rest of the work. Check out our website and our price packages for more information.

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Inspire Others

A wedding video isn’t just about memories and reminiscing, it can also be used as inspiration for others. If friends and family members are going to get married, you can show off your wedding video to them, and inspire them. If your tastes are similar, they’re bound to want to have themes that are similar to yours, because you’ve used them. Wedding videos, like many other types of videos, are not only records of history, or stories, but they are also educational too. They can be used as a foundation for research, for the happy couple, as they plan out their own special day.

So, show your newly engaged friends your wedding video, point out the people who helped you in your wedding process and provide them with the contact details they’ll need. Wedding videos are a good source of information for your friends, who’re new to planning a wedding, because they’ll trust your opinions, and you know who to contact.

All-In-One Promotions

As your wedding video can inspire your friends, so too can it inspire others. If the companies you’ve worked with use your video, for their promotional material, then you’re not only inspiring your friends, but you’re inspiring hundreds, if not thousands of newly engaged couples around the world. With social media and video content becoming a massive market for advertising, your wedding video could be viewed in the far corners of the world and inspire couples to use that company’s services. 

Wedding videos are great portfolios for so many companies because they’ll be showcased in them, even if it’s only for a second. Something will catch a new bride or groom’s eye and they’ll want to have similar, if not the same, service, at their own wedding. So, a wedding video isn’t just your own record of joyous memories, it is a good source of advertising, for the companies that worked with you, on your wedding day.

Keepsakes And Memories

As we’ve mentioned before, wedding videos can help you reminisce about the big day and remind you of the things that happened. After all, when you’re living the wedding itself, the day can go by in a flash. So, capturing the moments that you’ve missed will serve as a reminder, or a good story to tell, if not by you, then by the guests who witnessed those moments. 

Not only that but your wedding video can be used as a keepsake for future generations. You can give them a copy of the video and show them just how much in love you were when you married your partner. It’ll serve as a great lesson for them because they’ll see how powerful love can be, and how it transcends through the ages. It’ll inspire them to want a similar, if not the same, thing. So, by making a wedding video, and passing it on to your children and grandchildren, you’re teaching a great lesson to future generations.

Trust The Process

You might think that hiring a videographer to film your wedding is difficult and expensive, but don’t worry. It isn’t as expensive as you think. Videographers are happy to negotiate prices and plans for you, so you don’t have to worry about the finance. All you need is to communicate what you want for the wedding video, what you expect from your videographer and trust in the process.

 Eventually, you’ll have a wedding video you can be proud of, and if you’re not happy with the edit, and you still have the raw footage, why not come to us at Cut Pro Media to help you make a video that is worthy of your wedding. Our editors can promise professional quality, and themed wedding videos that can capture the magic of your big day, without compromise. 

All you need to do is tell them what you want and what you like, and they’ll do the rest. Our team of professionals have had years of experience in editing not only wedding videos but many others, so you can be sure that they will have a range of ideas to suit your needs. Not only that but our prices are set, so you don’t need to worry about negotiations or hidden terms. It’s all there in the price packages. So, check out our website, and find the best plan for you. We can guarantee that we have something for everyone.

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2. What Style or Genre of Video Are You Making?

If you’ve already made a plan for your wedding video, you need to know that your videographer can compromise and create a video according to your style. It is no good relying on them for everything because they’ll have their own creative opinions. Sometimes they’ll force their opinions onto your video, leaving no room for your personal touches. Otherwise, they’ll come up with a plan, on the spot, which might not even be achievable.

So, make sure you and your videographer have similar styles and genres, and you can compromise with each other. It will do you both no good if you work together without a plan, and you hope for the best. And it is equally a bad idea to have your opinions undermined by their plans, without your input. That’s why you need to know if their styles and genre are agreeable to yours.

3. Will You Be Available For The Entire Wedding Process?

When it comes to planning a wedding, sometimes it can take a year or two to plan out. Sometimes it takes even longer, especially if you’re planning for a very luxurious wedding. It’s during that time that you’ll want your videographer, especially if you’re using video diaries and posting video invitations to your guests. Many happy couples will want to go on a special photoshoot to mark the big day before it actually happens. They’ll want photobooks and extra footage of themselves, to fill the video, if there isn’t enough good footage on an actual day. 

So, that’s why making sure that your videographer is available not only during the wedding but also before it too. If anything, making sure they’re available during the planning process will ensure that any additions or changes you make to your wedding video can be discussed first before you implement it.

4. How Would Your Customers Rate You?

This is an important question because while experience matters, it is the reviews they get, from their customers that will tell you how good they are. Remember to read those reviews and compare them with the answer your videographer gives you. If the reviews are bad, and your videographer tells you otherwise, you’re dealing with someone dishonest. Your wedding day is one of the biggest events of your life, and if it isn’t captured correctly, then you’ll be left with very little to no memories of it at all.

Be certain that your videographer knows what they’re doing. Make sure that their customers are happy with their services. And be sure that your videographer and their customers have similar values to you. You don’t want to work with someone who you’ll always be at odds with. By knowing how satisfied their customer base is, and whether they have similar values and perspectives as yours, you’ll know that you can trust your videographer.

5. How Much Will Hiring You Cost Me?

Of course, this is the most important question you’ll want to ask but be careful when you do. Make sure you give your videographer everything they need to know, about what you expect from them. Negotiate what the plan is, and what compromises you will need to make because if you ask how much it’ll cost, before providing any details, they’ll be reluctant to work with you. It’s because you don’t have a plan, and you don’t know what you want. Whereas, if you provide them with some details, then they’ll be more inclined to help.

Be sure that you know what you want from your wedding video, before asking about the price. Similarly, you don’t want them to be vague about it either. So, make sure you don’t just get price ranges, and contracts that can be amended while they’re working with you. Setting a limit, and sticking to it, is a sign of reliability and good professionalism. If the price fluctuates while they’re working with you, or if they don’t set an upper limit, then you may find yourself in for a nasty surprise. Be careful when you’re negotiating price, and always get the agreement in writing.

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2. The Style Of Filming

Sometimes styles can clash, especially when it comes to themes and genres. For example, you might want to have a boho styled wedding, and if you choose a videographer that specialises in cinematic videos, then it’s obvious your styles will clash. After all, boho styles are more laid back and casual, while cinematic videos can be thrilling and intense. That’s why it’s important you consider what kind of genres and styles your videographer can give you. Make sure that it’s fitting for your wedding’s theme.

While you might be drawn to certain types of films, remember, it needs to complement your wedding. So, if your wedding is a whimsical affair, it won’t be the best backdrop for a hip-hop music video. Be sure you know what theme your wedding is, and what style of music, video and animation works well with that theme. If you don’t know, or you can’t envision it, negotiate with your videographer. They’ll be more than happy to show you their portfolios so that you have an idea of what you could get for your wedding.

3. The Experience

While experience and expertise might sound and seem similar, they couldn’t be further apart. Their expertise is the knowledge videographers should have about their craft. However, their experience can tell you how good they are at it. So, if you’re looking for a videographer, experience is one of the key elements you’re going to want to look at. 

Unless you already know your videographer on a personal level, and you want to help them in their career, it’s always a good idea to look for a videographer who’s already well established. They’ve been through so many weddings and special occasions, they know what they need to do, and they won’t bother you as you go through the motions of your Big Day.

Not only that, make sure they have the right connections and team members. If you hire a videographer, who doesn’t have a team with them, then you may contend with lots of cameras on tripods and stands. You might have to wait a while for them to set up many cameras, so they can capture your Big Day from all angles. And even when it comes to editing, make sure that they have good skills in editing, or even have a good team of editors behind them. Otherwise, you might not get the quality you’re looking for.

4. The Price

Of course, price is always a major factor in any deal you make. It is of the utmost importance you know you’re getting the quality you deserve. Always make sure that the services you’re getting aren’t overpriced, or majorly discounted. After all, some videographers might fool you into agreeing to a high price, but the quality of their videos are worse than you imagined. Not only that, if your videographer doesn’t have a portfolio readily available, then you’re either working with an amateur or a conman. Always ask for one, even if their website or social media accounts look amazing.

It isn’t fair to you if you’ve decided to book someone, only to realise that they’re not available on the Big Day, and you can’t even get a refund. Trust reliable sources, like wedding data banks, and even recommendations through magazines. They know what they’re talking about and which videographers are legitimate.

5. The Relationship

The main reason you hire someone is that you can build a good working relationship with them. As videographers, who are capturing your Big Day, you’re going to need someone you can trust; someone who will be able to work quietly in the background, and still be able to record the emotions, the love, and the joy that comes with a wedding day. Building a good relationship with your videographer will help not only you but them as well, to really capture every moment as you remember it. 

Good videographers will step into your shoes and look at the right actions and reactions on the day, so you don’t have to. And when all is said and done, the footage they’ve captured will truly record the magic of your wedding day. So, remember to build a good relationship with your videographer, if you want a wedding video you would want to watch it over and over again.

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2. Make It A Music Video

If you’re not a film and TV person, then try making your wedding video a music video. There are plenty of professional music videos for actual musicians that feature real-life weddings. So, why not do the same for your wedding video? Making a music video out of your wedding may save you time and effort, synchronising audios from different cameras, or trying to find the perfect soundtrack to a long ceremony. It’ll even save your audience from getting bored since a music video only lasts for roughly 3 minutes. That way they won’t have to sit through hours of footage, because you’ve included the entire wedding ceremony and reception, into your video.

Music videos are great highlight reels for your wedding! And if your video features the musician or band you used in your wedding, you might be able to negotiate royalties with them, should they decide to use it as promotion material for themselves. Moreover, you can create more, so that if you have more footage than the video can take, you can use other songs, and make your wedding videos more meaningful.

3. Use Video Diaries

One of the best things you can do is create video diaries, throughout the entire wedding process. So, record the process, from the engagement, all the way to the reception or the honeymoon, if you’re that daring. Use the most interesting parts of those video diaries to create a unique wedding video. It’ll take some courage, and some negotiation with family and friends, who might be shy, to get your face, and theirs in your videos, but once that fear is gone, you’ll be recording yourself every day.

By creating video diaries, you’re creating a record of all the emotions, hard work, happiness, and love that went into planning the wedding, and remind not only you, but everyone who watches it, just how much fun it can be, and inspire future generations to do the same.

4. Use Video Messages

If you want to make your wedding videos more meaningful and creative, then add video messages to them! You could set up a station, at your reception, and have a videographer film your guests, family members and friends who wish you love, joy, and happiness. They can be as long or as short as you want, and if you want to use footage that might not fit other areas of your wedding video, then use video or audio messages that could complement that footage. If that seems like too much, then let the bride and groom record a video message to each other! Nothing says I love you than a heartfelt message.

Video messages are very intimate and can captivate those who watch your wedding video. After all, they’re addressed directly to the bride and groom, and if they’re heartfelt enough, your audience might shed a tear or two.

Social Media Is Your Friend

If your videographer or photographer doesn’t capture your wedding day as perfect as you’d like, then why not try using footage from those who attended. You can be sure that your guests, both at the ceremony and at the reception, will have their own recordings of the big day, and if they’re tech-savvy enough, they’ll upload them to social media. So, why not use the shaky camera footage and random photos in your wedding video. It’ll make it unique, and intimate, because you know who took that video, and you can reminisce with them about the big day.

Your wedding video doesn’t have to be cinematically perfect, it’s up to you to decide what goes into the edit. If you’re all about the home video style, then trust your family and friends to capture it in that way, instead of professionals, because they have their own styles and techniques that won’t always fit the style you want.

Make A Plan

Before deciding what you want to add to your wedding video, make a plan first. Make sure you know exactly what you want out of your wedding video, and in what style you want it. It’s no good entrusting your videographer to do everything for you, because they’ll have a vision of what they want, instead of understanding what you need. So, ensure you know what you want in your wedding video, and make the right decisions, before entrusting the recording of the big day to someone else.

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Consolidate With Your Crew And Client

Before you start shooting, you need to make sure everyone, both your clients and those on your crew, know exactly what you’re shooting.  It is no good turning up on the day of a shoot, without knowing what you’ll be shooting, and eventually, the day will be wasted in negotiating where, when, and how you’re shooting your video.

It’s important that you know where to set up your cameras, to get the perfect angle for a shot, especially if you’re filming live events, such as weddings or ceremonies. The officiators won’t and can’t wait as a ceremony takes place, for you to reset your angles, because you messed up, and it’s even more vital that they continue, when they have a large crowd watching, like at a concert or a gig.

That’s why you need to plan with your client and crew before the shoot. It’ll not only give your crew the chance to suggest where to place your cameras, but it’ll remind your clients exactly where to stand and what to do when the time comes.

Plan For The Edit

Another thing you should consider before you start shooting is the edit itself. That means, you should already have the video already made up in your mind, which your client and crew should know about as well. One of the best ways to show them what you want to film is through visual aids, like storyboards. Storyboards are not just useful for fictional films, but it’s also a great aid for documenting live events. 

When you provide a storyboard to your client and crew, it shows them that you already know what to do on the day of the shoot. It not only helps you plan where to place your cameras, but it will also help give your clients an idea of what their videos will look like.

By planning for the edit, your clients and crew will have a better understanding of what you will be doing on the day of the shoot. So, even if you’re zipping about, all over the place, they won’t be too worried about it, because they know you’re only checking up on either your crew or your equipment.

Make A Shot List

Shot lists are essential when you’re filming. It reminds you where you want to position your camera, and what shots you’ve planned for a scene or a segment of the video. If you’re shooting a fictional film, and you’re trying to get every angle you can possibly get, of the scene, you will definitely need a shot list so your crew can set up the shot, so it matches the takes you’ve taken before.

Similarly, when you’re shooting a live event, a shot list will provide you with a clue for your camera setups, and where your crew are meant to be standing, where they’re meant to point their cameras at, and what it is they’re shooting. For example, if you’re shooting a wedding, and you have a crew of three videographers, including yourself, you don’t want everyone standing at the altar, shooting the bride and groom. You’ll want someone shooting the congregation or shooting the bride and groom from a different angle. 

That’s why it’s important to have a shot list on hand, a professional videographer knows where to set up his equipment and make sure it’s not in the way of a scene or event.

Keep An Eye On Time

When shooting a film, make sure you keep an eye on the schedule of the shoot. If you’re shooting a fiction film, your cast and crew will get tired, especially if the shoot is longer than 12 hours. Always let your cast and crew have a break, especially around lunchtime. You don’t want to have an irritated actor spewing off lines when they’re cranky. Make sure you give them a full hour before you need to start filming again, and even factor in a few 5-minute breaks in between takes, so they can get some air. It’s not always easy for an actor to embody a character and it can be draining.

Of course, if you’re filming events like weddings and ceremonies, remember to work with their schedule too. Just because you think you didn’t get a certain shot, it doesn’t matter, you can always replace it with something else. Remember, you’re working on someone else’s schedule, not yours. So, if you miss that “perfect shot” you will have to content yourself with it and hope that someone else on your crew or one of your camera setups caught it.

Even if you want that “perfect video” remember that not all videos and films are perfect. Even Hollywood directors have had to delete their favourite scenes, in favour of their schedule.

Never Stop Learning

Even if you think your shooting style is professional enough, never stop learning and asking for advice. Chances are when you ask, you’ll find new styles, new techniques, and inventive ways of shooting a film. Not to mention, you’ll meet other professional videographers along the way, and they’ll definitely have a few experiences that might give you inspiration for your next shoot. Or, if nothing else will work, sign up for a filmmaking course, whether it’s a short course to help boost your confidence or an actual degree, you will always find ways to improve your filming styles, no matter how far you are in your career as a professional videographer.

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They Have The Equipment

Although a phone’s camera can now rival that of an actual DSLR, there is a limit to how well it renders on bigger screens. While the latest iPhone 12 can shoot in 4K, that doesn’t mean it is as good quality as those captured on proper DSLRs such as the Blackmagic Design camera, or the Sony Venice camera. Not only do these cameras film in 4K, but they can also film in 6K and 8K. These cameras are highly coveted in the film industry, with the likes of major studios using them for their feature films and TV shows.

These cameras can cost thousands of dollars, to rent them alone, and if other equipment is needed, such as lenses, microphones, lights, and tripods or stands, it can cost as much as the wedding itself. That’s why hiring a videographer, especially the right videographer, can be useful. They’ll either have the equipment already, or they know where to find it for much cheaper.

They Have The Knowledge

When it comes to shooting the right thing, a professional videographer already knows what to do. They’ve been trained to know where to point their camera, how far the zoom needs to be, how focused the shot is and how to hold their cameras steady. After all, professional filmmaking isn’t about shooting anything and everything. It’s about stylising the shot, changing the exposure, the ISO, and the aperture to create a certain look for the footage they’re shooting. 

While you can do that automatically with your phone, and its filter effects, sometimes those filters aren’t authentic enough. What that means is, while you might be able to change the way a certain shot looks, it won’t have the same effect manual filters can provide. Sometimes the exposure can be too high, and difficult to adjust, other times the black points can be too dark. Professional videographers know how to manipulate their cameras, especially cinema-quality ones so that the filters are perfect for every environment they’re shooting in. For example, if the receiving party takes place at night, the footage from a professional DSLR will be perfectly visible, whereas a phone’s camera may produce grainy or footage that’s too dark to see.

They Know The Right People

Of course, a wedding video isn’t just about the footage that’s taken. After all, videographers don’t always work alone. Sometimes, especially for large weddings, two or more videographers are necessary, because it can be difficult to capture the right action that comes with a wedding. For example, one videographer shoots the bride and groom, as they take their vows, while the other shoots the reaction of the congregation, or while one videographer shoots the best man giving a speech at the reception party, while the other shoots the reaction of the bride and groom.

Sometimes, knowing where to shoot can be difficult, especially if that videographer is working alone. So, by bringing along a team, they’ll be able to capture all angles of the wedding, the party, and the reaction of everyone at the wedding. Not to mention, if the videographer is busy capturing moving footage, they won’t have time to take any stills, so they’ll most likely bring along a photographer to help. So, the all-important photo shoots can be taken, while being filmed at the same time, to further immortalise the moment, both in the final wedding video and in the album of still images.

They Can Edit Or Know People Who Can Edit

Capturing footage is only part of the responsibilities of a videographer, they should also know how to edit or if they can’t, they at least know people who can edit the footage for them. While depending on family and friends to take videos throughout the wedding for you, and compiling them together, it can be repetitive, and you won’t know which footage to choose from, since many of them might be from the same angle, at the same time. So, by relying on a professional, who’ll shoot from several angles, and use different types of filming styles, the final wedding video will be much more interesting.

By editing the styles in a way that reflects the theme, mood and importance of the wedding, the videographer can create an everlasting memory, that evokes powerful emotions in those who watch it, especially if they were there, and they are reminiscing through the video. After all, they’ll have the resources, or at least they’ll know someone who has those resources, to edit their footage, and if requested the footage captured by those who attended the wedding, in a way that resonates with those who watch it.

Consult The Professionals

It can be tempting to only rely on the footage taken by family and friends, at weddings, but having a professional videographer there, to capture the important moments, and the reactions they incite, will be beneficial, regardless of the result. After all, they have the tools, the knowledge, and the network of people to create a wedding video that fits the style of the wedding, the mood and atmosphere of the day, and the desires of the couple who wants it. So, if you’re considering hiring a videographer, do your research, before you start consultations with them, to see what prices are best for your budget. If you’re a videographer looking to hire a video editor for your footage, have a look at our prices, and our portfolio, we have a range of outsourced video editors who’ll be happy to edit your footage for you.

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