For or against hiring a videographer for your wedding? The opinion and advice of Sylvie Schneider, aka Love Image Maker
A wedding video is still something of an exception in a bride and groom’s budget. It often comes last, when there’s a little money left over. Like the icing on the cake.
And yet, it’s becoming increasingly popular with brides and grooms who are convinced that they’ll have incredible memories of their special day!
It has to be said that, like photos, video takes on a special character. She tells a story in movement, sound and emotion. Your wedding video will not replace your photos. And that’s not the point at all. Video is the perfect complement to what you get in photos. And the whole idea is to offer you even more memories.
How does a wedding videographer work?
No more static 2-hour videos that are guaranteed to bore your guests when they watch them! The trend is quite different. Your videographer will help you relive the day from an artistic angle. To sublimate the most beautiful moments of this day so that only the pure essence of what you shared with your other half and your loved ones remains.
I’m sometimes asked if 5/7 minutes isn’t “too short” to retrace a day lasting more than 12 hours. And on viewing, my brides and grooms really understand my work.
I think of myself as a bit of a ninja, ready to record the emotions of the day. It’s up to me to observe you, to understand you, to follow you discreetly, to offer you moments of tenderness a little disconnected from this crazy day, and then transcribe them into music.
If I only had to press a button to record a ceremony, it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun! My job is to capture and transcribe those unique emotions that you’ll feel on the day, and that you’ll only experience once.
It’s both a lot of pressure and a huge source of pride to be part of this milestone in your life. I put my heart into it as if it were my own wedding, and that’s the least I can do when you put your trust in me.
Why is it often a little more expensive than a photo report?
Simply because the wedding videographer spends much more time in post-processing. You’ll need several days of downstream work, divided between the derushing of shots and sound recordings, the search for music, the editing itself, and colorimetry (which corresponds to photo retouching). Not to mention the investment in equipment, which is often much more expensive than for photography. Even more so if you add drone shots and sound recording.
It’s also a lot of artistic work to create not just a video, but a real film. A story. Something that REALLY looks like you, not just a series of images with music on top. I don’t consider myself a filmmaker, let’s be honest. But it’s an exercise that requires a lot of concentration and inspiration. At least, from my point of view.
Tips for choosing the right wedding videographer?
First, go with your heart. Take a look at the films on his website, and if you’re moved, it’s because his style suits you. There are a thousand and one ways to film a wedding. It’s up to you to decide what speaks to you most. Even if the budget is very important to you, try not to focus on it at first.
I often receive e-mails from brides and grooms asking me to send them my rates. Of course I do. But I’m much more touched by an e-mail from a customer explaining their project, what they’re looking for and, finally, what they like about my work. Not that I like compliments, but it allows me to better target their needs and desires.
Personally, I only sign 12 weddings a year. And I choose them scrupulously. It’s impossible to make a beautiful film if the feeling doesn’t flow between the bride and groom and me. So I take the time to get to know them, and if I realize that we’re not suited to working together, I suggest other service providers.
3 clichés about videographers :
1/ “He’s going to ask us to act out scenes during our wedding!”
It all depends on how you work! To avoid being solicited, talk to him and ask him about his approach. There’s no such thing as communication! And you’ll be zen on the big day.
2/ “The idea of having a camera pointed at me all day totally repels me.”
Cameras have come a long way. You’ll be surprised to find that your videographer’s equipment usually takes up no more space than your photographer’s. No more big France 2 cameras :)
3/ “A photographer + a videographer is too much, they’ll be walking all over each other all day!”
Photographers and videographers are used to working together, to communicating so as not to get in each other’s way, and not to get in your way at the same time. The videographer often follows in the footsteps of the photographer, who is often responsible for the artistic direction of couple sessions, for example.
Four tips to get the best from your wedding videographer!
1/ Choose bright, tidy rooms for your preparations. Who wants to remember the mess in your bedroom?
2/ Plan an outdoor couple session, even in winter. Your videographer needs lots of different images, moments and emotions to create a dynamic montage… Think about creating moments where you share something unique with your other half and your loved ones (a first look, a crazy session with your witnesses, a session with your children if you have any…).
3/ Listen to his advice. One videographer has dozens of weddings to his credit. Suffice to say, he’s probably seen it all before. Even if your wedding is unique, he’ll be able to advise you on your planning. For example, it’s a bad idea to make him go back and forth between all the locations. Unless you want him to spend his day in the car rather than with you…
4/ Last but not least, forget that you’re being filmed! Nature is my greatest source of inspiration. Real emotions are like a drug, so be yourself.
In 50 years’ time, you won’t care about the crease in your dress, the mascara that runs because you’re crying during the ceremony, the rain that falls even though you’ve prayed for a year that it wouldn’t rain on the big day, or that little stain on your loved one’s collar that nobody sees but you.
What you’ll want in 50 years is to see you both smiling again. Revisit the embraces with loved ones who have passed away, or get emotional over your children’s mischief.
All that’s left is to wish you a beautiful wedding and lots of happiness!
You can find my work here: www.loveimagemaker.com
(photo 4: Alison Bounce Photography)