What can you do? Tips to enhance your video!

Brides and grooms plan for months and months to make sure their wedding day is perfect! Vendors have to be interviewed and chosen, flowers have to be selected, food has to be tasted, and photograph time lines have to be created. But what can you control regarding the video?

Here are some simple ideas to take into consideration that will enhance the quality of your video.

1. Don't turn the lights all the way down. To create an image - photo or video - there needs to be light. Keeping some ambient lighting on will help your videographer and your photographer capture more realistic and sharper images. Think about how bright a flash is how it is needed to produce a photograph. On camera video lights can illuminate something close to the camera, but not the whole scene. If the lights are dimmed, as opposed to off, your video (and photographs) will look much better! If you are planning on turning the lights low or off, make sure you check out a sample video with similar lighting conditions so you'll know what to expect.

2. Don't chew gum! You may be able to hide the gum while taking photos, but you're going to be smacking away in your video. As emotions and tensions mount on your wedding day, you'll chew harder and faster. If you absolutely have to chew, wait till after the first dance.

3. Face each other for the whole ceremony. The bride and groom always turn toward each other for the vows, but most of the time their backs are to the congregation up until this point. Think about turning toward each other after the father gives the bride away. This way you'll get to see each other for the ceremony, and your guests and the video will get to see you.

4. Cut the cake yourself. I know this sounds like a strange one, but hear me out. If you have any questions about cutting the cake (how to cut it, where the plate is, what exactly you are supposed to do), ask your planner or helpers before you start. This is not just a photo opportunity, its a ritual between the bride and the groom. I'm currently editing a video where the bride and groom stage a "cutting the cake" photo and leave the actual cutting to someone else.

5. Act natural around the video camera. Your photographer may want you to pose, smile, or acknowledge her, but most of the time the videographer wants you to pretend she isn't there. Unless you are speaking to the camera or showing something to the camera, there is no need to look directly at the lens and smile.

6. Tell us about anything that is important to you! We will capture as many special moments of your wedding day as we can, but we are not mind readers. If you have unique traditions, surprises, or guests you want to make sure are captured, let us know in advance. We ask all of our brides fill out a wedding day questionnaire to help us plan for the entire wedding day.

Things to Consider When Hiring a Videographer

These days almost anyone can buy a buy a video camera and call themselves a videographer. It gives everyone a chance to be artists and to record memories that are most dear to them. But when you are looking for a videographer to capture one of your most important events, be it a wedding, a family history, or a corporate event, you need to keep a few things in mind. These tips will help guide your search for the perfect videographer.


1. View samples of their work! I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but some people will decide on a videographer by price alone. By seeing current samples, you'll get a feel for the style and expertise level of your videographer.

2. Have a conversation with your potential videographer. Give this person a call and talk about your wedding day or special event. Do they sound like someone you want to work with? Did you get a good vibe from them? I know its not always possible to have a face to face meeting with everyone you hire, but a phone conversation is almost as good.

3. Has anyone heard of them? Recommendations from family, friends, and other wedding vendors can be valuable source of information. They can provide insight into professionalism, attitude, and general shooting style. As a bride, it was a relief to know that my chosen vendors had worked together frequently and successfully. You can always ask a videographer for recent bridal references.

4. Does their style of videography match your vision? Most videographers consider themselves documentarians. This means they will capture the day as it happens with minimal interference. You may want someone who does this or you may want someone who will need a portion of time just like the photographer to create a more dramatic feel to your video.

5. Do they provide the coverage and options that you want? Most people I talk to have not been married before and have never hired a videographer. They want a wedding video, but they aren't exactly sure what that includes. Maybe you want lots of bridal prep, maybe you want an interview station, maybe you just want ceremony coverage, and maybe you don't know what you want. Ask what the differences between the packages are if its not immediately clear. Ask how many people will be shooting. Ask about deposits. Ask lots of question!

6. Remember - you get what you pay for! That's why it is important to cover all of these points when looking for a videographer. Just like your photographer, a videographer's job is only partially completed when they leave your wedding or event. It takes time, effort, and experience to create the video you envision. If someone promises you the moon for a fraction of the cost of everyone else, there has to be a reason!