Top 10 Things To Ask Your Wedding Videographer Before Hiring Them

You’ve chosen your dress, decided on the venue, and gotten your bridesmaids on board — but what about that one piece of the wedding puzzle that can make or break the entire day? Choosing a wedding videographer is no small task. It’s stressful enough to find someone you like who fits with your vision for the big day, but it’s also important to ensure they’ll be able to capture everything in a way you’ll love forever. So before hiring a videographer, ask yourself these 10 questions:

How many weddings have you shot?

This is a very important question to ask your potential videographer. You want to make sure they have enough experience shooting weddings, and that they have the right gear for your particular style of celebration. A good general rule of thumb is to look for a minimum of 10 weddings in their portfolio, with at least 5 being shot in the last 2 years (or more).

If you are concerned about hiring someone local to your area, you can ask if they’ve shot any other wedding videos similar to yours–if so, this will help put your mind at ease!

What is your shooting style?

When talking to your wedding videographer, it’s important to ask about their shooting style. Are they going to be camped out in one place all day? Or are they going to be moving around and capturing all the moments as they happen? Do they want to use cinematic techniques like jump cuts or slow motion?

If you prefer a more traditional approach, then this person may not be for you. But if you’re looking for something different and unique, then perhaps this is exactly what you need!

What types of equipment do you use?

The next thing to ask your wedding videographer is what type of equipment they use. There are a lot of different cameras, lenses, drones, and other tools that can be used when filming a wedding. Here are some common items you should look for:

  • Cameras:

DSLRs (digital single-lens reflex), mirrorless cameras, or 4K video cameras

  • Lenses:

Wide angle lens, fisheye lens, telephoto zoom lens, and macro lens

  • Drone:

DJI Mavic Pro 2 with 3-axis gimbal stabilization system or DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ with 4K resolution camera capable of shooting at 60fps in H264 mode

Can you provide examples of recent work?

An important question to ask your videographer is if they can provide examples of their previous work. If you don’t see any samples, then it’s likely that the photographer isn’t very experienced and doesn’t have much experience shooting weddings. It’s also good to ask how many weddings they’ve shot before yours and what their shooting style is like. You want someone who will capture your big day in an engaging way that highlights all the best moments of your special day!

You should also find out what types of equipment they use, as well as whether or not it has been tested and approved by an industry association like the International Association of Wedding Photographers (IAWP).

Who will be involved in my wedding day video?

The videographer is the person who will be filming your wedding day. He or she will be responsible for capturing all of the important moments and details, so it’s important to make sure they are up to the task!

The assistant should also be someone you trust implicitly. This person will work closely with your video team throughout filming and post-production, so it’s essential that they have an eye for detail and are able to help out in any way possible (especially if they’re good with kids).

Finally, there are many different types of editors who specialize in different styles of filmmaking; some focus on documentary while others prefer narrative storytelling approaches; some use Final Cut Pro while others prefer Adobe Premiere Pro CC; etcetera.”

Do you shoot day-of videos, or just the ceremony and reception?

Do you shoot day-of videos, or just the ceremony and reception?

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning your wedding. There are so many details to consider, from finding a venue that fits with your vision for your big day to selecting an officiant who will be able to keep things moving smoothly during the ceremony itself. And then there’s picking out dresses for bridesmaids, choosing colors for table linens and flowers–and making sure everyone has their dress shoes on correctly!

But don’t forget about one of the most important parts of any wedding: capturing all those special moments on camera so that you can look back at them fondly after all those months (or years) have passed by. Your videographer should be able to capture every aspect of this important day as it happens–including getting footage of everything else going on around town as well!

Will we get back the raw footage?

It’s an important inquiry to make with your videographer, and it underscores a critical aspect of the videography service. The significance of obtaining the raw footage lies in the fact that, ideally, the final video production should be so exceptional that the couple doesn’t need to be concerned about the raw materials. It’s usually a less favorable sign if a couple finds themselves worrying about the raw footage because it suggests that the final product might not meet their expectations. Videographers with less experience tend to offer raw footage more often, as they may not have the expertise to create a polished final video.

When you discuss this matter with your videographer, please keep in mind that the outcome can vary depending on the company you choose to work with. Some videography companies may readily provide you with the raw footage as part of their service, while others might offer it as an additional, potentially costly, option.

Should you wish to have more influence over the outcome of your wedding video and have the ability to take a closer look at the unedited content, inquiring about receiving the raw footage becomes crucial. It allows you to have greater control and input in the post-production process, ensuring that your final wedding video aligns perfectly with your vision and preferences.

How soon can we view the final product?

This is a great question to ask your videographer. It’s important to know how long you can expect to wait until you receive the final product, as well as when you can see a rough cut of it. If your videographer doesn’t have an answer for either of these questions, then it’s probably best not to work with them. Your wedding day will be over before you know it and if there are delays in getting your video back from them after all the work they’ve done (and paid for), then those delays could ruin the experience for both parties involved.

Is there a possibility of additional charges during the process?

It’s important to ask your videographer if there are any additional charges that may occur during the process. If there is a possibility for additional charges, it should be discussed before the wedding. It’s also important to discuss any possible additional fees before signing their contract and making your final payment.

If you do find yourself with an unexpected bill from your videographer after the fact, make sure that you pay it as soon as possible so that they don’t have any problems with their credit score or getting paid by other clients who have hired them in the past

How do you handle payment and contracts?

If you’re not sure how to ask your potential videographer about payment and contracts, here are some helpful tips:

  • Payment is due at the time of booking. If you’re booking a videographer months in advance of your wedding date, it’s okay to negotiate an initial deposit and then pay off the remainder later. Just make sure that you have everything in writing before agreeing to anything! If there’s anything unclear or confusing about their contract or payment plan details, ask them if they can change things so they make more sense for you. You don’t want any surprises on your big day–or any other day after that!

  • Contracts are signed either in person or via email (for convenience). Make sure that whoever signs this document has legal authority over both parties involved; otherwise, it may not be valid under local laws where both parties reside during filming sessions (which could lead to some serious legal trouble down the road).

It’s important to remember that videographers are not just there to capture the ceremony or reception. They can also be an excellent resource for other aspects of your wedding planning process, such as ensuring that you get all the right shots on your engagement session and helping you choose music for special moments throughout your day. If you want to make sure that all your memories are preserved in one place, hiring a professional videographer is definitely worth considering!

11/01/23

Joshua Lona