Free Help in Choosing Your Wedding Videographer

[HankCastello]

We've heard from several wedding videographers who intend to apply for certification as soon as the wedding season winds down.  Right now, we only have a handful of states covered with actual certified wedding videographers, but we do have a growing list of wedding videographers who have sent in a decent wedding video - just not the references and fee.

So here's what we can do for brides right now, while our database gradually fills with certified wedding videographers -

  1. Send us copies of wedding videos you've been given to review and we'll promptly review, score and critique them and send you (via email) the score sheets and critiques FREE!  We'll also include an opinion on their plans and their contract.  There is no charge and no obligation.  Your contact info will not be given out to anyone.

  2. We'll give you a list of any wedding videographers in your area that we can recommend whether they've been certified yet or not.

Send your wedding videos (with email address & phone number) to:

WeddingVideoDoneRight.com
Rural Route 4, Box 2885
Stigler, OK 74462

(Send copies only. We cannot return materials.  Include your email address and phone number.)

All we ask in return is that once you're wedding is over and you've received your finished wedding video, please send us a copy and your written evaluation of your wedding videographer's performance.

[Forever Endeavor]

That reminds me I need to send in my submission for certification! I forgot! It's all ready and I'll get it out asap!

[Souvenir]

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but what's to stop me from submitting my own work so that you'll review it for free and then I won't have to pay the $100.

Just a question since I am planning on sending you my work once I have something worthwhile.  I am certainly planning on paying as I think this would be invaluable help, but there are dishonest people out there!

[HankCastello]

That's only more sunshine on THIS parade!  

You see, we're looking for more testing of our scoring system and practice for our judges.  Besides, the fact that we've reviewed and scored a video only benefits the videographer via the feedback.  If he would have passed, a greater benefit would be in having the ability to display the certificate that gets linked to his page on this site AND in getting referrals from brides looking for videographers in his area AND in the search engine benefits he gets from having a link from this site (with its pagerank) to his.

[Souvenir]

It was just something to think about.  You are right, it would be silly to submit your work, have it pass, but then not be able to reap the benefit of it.  I'm a CPA in the audit field, so my brain is always thinking about what people might be doing to be dishonest.

My first wedding is coming up this Saturday...I'm so nervous!  I keep reading about all the fancy stuff the more experienced guys on this site are doing and it is so intimidating.  I'm going to have a hard enough time just making sure all my microphones are working and using all the manual controls on my new camera.  I have a feeling when I finally have a piece of work that I feel comfortable submitting to you guys that it will pale in comparison to what you are all doing.

But that's the process of learning...right?  Just promise me that you experts will only laugh on the inside when you are watching and rating our new work!    

[HankCastello]

Good luck on your first shoot!

Don't worry about the fancy stuff - if you can do well on the basics, you'll be ahead of most - get good exposure, focus, etc.

Remember (if you've read my article) "AFEW" things!

A - Audio
F - Focus
E- Exposure
W - Wt balance

Keep saying "AFEW" to yourself as you shoot to help you remember these basics.  It's nice if you can also do good framing & composition.

That and stay on top of the action and try to have at least two cameras covering everything - one wide (usually can be static) and one close.  Watch the photogs at the reception - they'll usually know what's happening next.  They'll also try to put their butts in front of your cameras.

When setting up for the bridal entrance, remember that the guests will stand up as the bride arrives.  If you're not near the center, your shot will be blocked.

Close-ups are the mainstay of the WOW factor in video.