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How to Choose a Professional Videographer
By Bill Bowen

Your wedding day is approaching and you have countless decisions to make.  In selecting your professional wedding services, you may be overlooking the most important decision - choosing your videographer. Bill believes that brides, after viewing a quality wedding video, realize the importance of selecting an experienced professional videographer. When the wedding day is over, the wedding video is the only medium that will have captured the sights and sounds of that special day.

            There are four key areas the bride should address when selecting a quality videographer.

            Questions to Ask Your Videographer:

            1. How long have you been in the business?

            2. How many weddings have you shot?

            3. Are you a full time or part time videographer?

            4. Are you familiar with my religious ceremony?

            5. Can we view your demo reel?

            Questions about Pre-Event Planning:

            1. Will you take part in the planning process and make sure all details are worked out?

            2. How flexible are you in your shooting style and lighting techniques (Hollywood production versus low key coverage)?

            3. Can you produce a two-camera shoot? This is useful where there are restrictions on camera angles. Ask your video professional for details.

            4. Do you have quality audio? A wireless microphone on the groom can be used for clear sound.

            5. Do you bring back-up equipment?

            6. How will you be dressed?

            7. Can you work well with my still photographer and caterer?

            Questions about Creative Services and Post Production:

1. Camera equipment: camcorder or professional full size 3-chip digital.

            2. Do you offer and in-camera edited master or a fully edited tape?

            3. Do you offer advanced editing features? Photo/slide montages and highlight tape with music overlays will add that professional touch.

            4. Do you offer special effects (Slo-motion, Sepia tone and B&W video)?

            5. What format is used for production: Digital – (DV or DVCAM is best quality).

6. Do they offer DVD with Menu’s and chapter stops? For the highest quality the DVD bite rate should be 7 or higher. DVD is the highest quality format to put your wedding on.

Questions Regarding Price/Performance:

            1. Do you have packages and how much is overtime?

            2. How far in advance should we book you? Look over the contract.

On a final note make sure you are comfortable with the video company you will be using. Look out for vendors that can’t answer your detailed questions. Most bridal couples are not familiar with the details involved with professional video production. Part of the reason we are successful in this business is the personal touch. Bridal couples believe that we will take care of them and preserve their memories forever. Congratulations on your wedding day.