Photo by Lanty on Unsplash
Shooting
wedding videos can be extremely stressful. Here are some tips to help you focus
on getting all the right shots.
The difference between a good wedding filmmaker
and a great one doesn’t come down to having the best camera or gear. The
difference is you. Are you the type of person that a couple wants to have
attend their wedding? These are a few ways you can make yourself a better
wedding videographer.
Tip 1. Communicate with the couple, venue,
and vendors.
Well before the wedding
date, you should have a sit-down meeting with the engaged couple. Get to know
what they are looking for in their video. Do they want to make sure you capture
certain moments? Will there be any surprises or choreographed dances you need
to know about? Will the bride be wearing her Great-Great Grandmother’s
earrings? Being ready to capture these moments will truly make your work stand
out.
Reach out to the
ceremony and reception venues and find out if they have any rules or
regulations. Many churches won’t allow videographers in certain areas, so it’s
important to note if you will need to bring a zoom lens. Some large reception
venues require a proof of insurance before they let you shoot on the premises.
It’s your responsibility to have everything in order before showing up.
Talk to some of the
vendors, mainly the ones you will work with on the wedding day. Knowing vendors
in the industry is your gateway to success. Their recommendations can help you
land future weddings. First get to know the Wedding Coordinator. Ask for a copy
of the schedule and contacts for the other vendors. Then you can ask the DJ
about their setup. Will they let you plug into their sound board to get backup
audio? Will they bring a high end light kit for the reception? See if the
photographer is willing to collaborate with you. Can you shoot side by side and
rotate for closeups? Getting acquainted with everyone will help the shoot move
along much smoother.
Tip 2. Stay fast while carrying as little gear as possible.
The morning of a wedding
is a fairly typical operation. The groom and his groomsmen hang out, the bride
and bridesmaids get their hair and makeup done. After that, you will be running
around until the wedding is over. So it’s best to set the heavy bag in the
corner and take it easy on your shoulders and back. Only carry what you need.
Having every lens option
at once is no use to you. A camera and two lenses are perfect for running
around. Be sure to have extra batteries and formatted memory cards ready to go.
Nothing is worse than having to tell the couple to hold off on tossing the
bouquet because your batteries died. I’ve seen it happen. Don’t be that person.
If necessary, find an outlet and have a charging station for any batteries you
have already used.
Tip 3. Audio is crucial, have
backups ready.
There are no re-“I Dos”
in weddings. If you don’t capture things as they happen, then you didn’t do
your job. It’s best to have multiple audio sources recording. Does your camera
capture quality sound? If not, have external recorders ready to go. Try to
avoid putting the mic on a bride, instead go for a lavalier microphone on the
officiant or groom.
If the DJ is running
sound, you may be able to plug into their sound board. That’s why it is
beneficial to have talked to the DJ before hand. Keep in mind every DJ is
different, so it’s no guarantee that you will get quality sound. That’s why you
should only rely on them for backup audio.
Tip 4. Always capture the
traditional wedding shots.
You may feel the need to
experiment on the wedding day, but be sure to always get the typical
wedding shots too. Experimenting is a great way to help you find your style, but
don’t forget that couples want to see their vows, first dance, and cake
cutting. Make sure you have the important things covered before you get all
those cool transition shots.
Tip 5. Keep the camera
stable.
Stabilization is
necessary. Going handheld is not going to cut it. Whether you use a tripod,
monopod, glidecam, slider, or a shoulder rig, be sure that you can quickly
switch between your support gear. By putting the same quick release plate on
all of your gear, you can easily switch on the go.
Tripods are great during
the ceremony, but can easily get in the way elsewhere. When you’re in a tiny
hotel room with the entire bridal party, family members, hair stylists and
makeup artists, you won’t have much space to work. Being able to quickly switch
to a monopod or glidecam will keep you shooting.
Tip 6. Be sure to capture
enough B-roll
B-roll will be your best
friend and worst enemy when editing. Not having enough will make you job much
harder. It’s easy to remember to shoot exteriors of the venue, but don’t forget
that there are people coming to these venues. When the bride and groom watch
their wedding video, they will want to see their friends and family in
attendance.
Have an extra camera
capture parts of the crowd during the ceremony. This footage will always come
in handy to hide any rough edits. It’s also great to cut to the crowd if the
photographer walks into your shot of the couple at the altar.
Tip 7. Prepare for low light
situations.
Evening receptions can
be a nightmare for wedding filmmakers. Indoor or outdoor, it will probably be
dark. After dinner is served, venues dim the lights so the party can begin.
Hopefully you and the DJ also talked about his light setup, but you will still need
your own lights to help you get certain shots.
If your camera doesn’t
handle low light well, keep in mind that guests don’t want to be blinded by
video lights all night. When you use lights, be sure to use them sparingly.
Don’t kill the mood by leaving them on during the entire reception.
Bonus Tip: Dress the part and Don't Wear
Shorts to a Wedding!!
Written By: Michael Maher
Source: The Beat
Planning a Wedding and Still looking for your perfect wedding
videographer and photographer?
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