Videography Styles

When looking for a videographer for your wedding, seek a professional who believes that to educate a bride is to give her strength, understanding and appreciation. During this search, you will discover many terms or statements that are being used to attract your business. Many of these statements are difficult to accomplish well and mean much more than you might assume. If you, as the client, have a clear understanding of these terms, you will be able to completely enjoy your wedding and take control of that expanding budget.

Journalistic
Journalistic is a hot term, but what does it truly mean to you? Journalistic is basically described as not set–up, hands-off, or capturing a moment as it naturally happens. What it means to you and your wedding day is “with no direction.” Each wedding day takes on a flow or a pace of its own. You are very likely not going to capture important memories if you do not specify and plan for them. Have this conversation with your professional videographer and make sure they are able to blend the “must-have memories” with the video-journalism. If you want true journalism, have multiple cameras at different locations so that you will not miss a thing.

Journalistic can also mean one thing for the videographer and quite another for the photographer. The typical wedding is directed by the photographer, so he or she can capture the specific formal shots while the videographer is truly capturing moments as they happen, with no direction. With the new ability of stills from video, the new type of coverage is to have the videographer set-up the formals while the photographer takes the true journalistic position. The reason this new type of coverage works so well is due to the ability of the videographer to edit or manipulate the captured video in many different ways and it allows for more creativity with the photographer. As this is very new, it takes a very experienced videographer to take the lead and a photographer that is very comfortable with their ability and willing to give up their assumed control.

Unobtrusive
My next favorite term is unobtrusive. Most assume this means not seen, no uncomfortable lights or big cameras. What it means to you is, “Capture me in by best light without turning my wedding into a film set.” This one is the hardest characteristic to accomplish well. This can only be done with long lens professional cameras, inconspicuous and discreet lighting, and very experienced camera operators. The most significant aspect is the true ability to work as a polite and friendly guest at your wedding while capturing the event in style. It also requires professional respect for the photographer and other vendors.

When looking at video demonstrations, look at the lighting. Where is the light coming from? Do you see other cameras or photographers in the video? Lights and non-guests are signals of obtrusiveness. An example of a major intrusion is the small moving camera with a bright light following the bride down the aisle -- yes, during the ceremony!

There are times that “unobtrusive” may not be in the best interest of the event. Imagine the best man in front of the bandstand giving his toast. A soft spot light would help the presentation and the ability for your guests to clearly focus on the toast. If we used today’s new smaller digital video cameras we would not be able to provide the clarity and distance that is required to be truly unobtrusive.

Artistic
Artistic is like beauty -- it is in the eye of the beholder. Believe it or not, it doesn’t only mean stylish, new or different. Artistic is the ability to be inventive, creative and imaginative all at once. It is finding ways to appropriately define, identify and represent your wedding so it is everything you want your wedding to be. The professional will always possess an inventive use of tools, a complete creative palette, and a formal knowledge of the context in which his craft is being captured and viewed.

In conclusion, there is a little known fact that is important to realize. In all aspects of life, there are two sides to everything. A wedding is no exception. The two sides to videography are capturing the memories at the event and editing the footage after. Typically the cost of your wedding DVD depends on how much of each aspect you desire. These two aspects are professions in their own right. The camera work that you enjoy the day of is typically one cost and the post work or editing is in addition to this. Be aware that it takes time to properly edit your event. The amount of time and costs depend on the type of editing you desire. Take the time to educate yourself about the wedding and event industry. This education will give you the understanding of what you really want and the appreciation of what is required to meet your needs.