Finding an Affordable Videographer

Today, most couples planning their wedding day are trying to cut costs for their ever expanding wedding budget. One of the vendors that are usually left off the list are the wedding videographers. Down the road, most couples will probably regret not getting a videographer because there is always something that happens at a wedding that can’t be captured by their photographer. Although getting someone to videotape someone’s wedding is a good idea, most couples don’t want to spend a lot of money for their services. Here are some helpful tips to find an affordable videographer.

1. Find a videographer that is new to the business.

Hiring a videographer that is new to the business is likely to be more flexible in their pricing of their wedding packages. Also, newcomers to the wedding videography business are more likely to listen to suggestions to improve the final package, like doing a pre-ceremony coverage, live interviews, and additional coverage during the event without additional cost. Most experienced companies won’t add anything to your final package without charging you.

2. Place a job ad at your local art college or film school for a student to shoot your wedding.

Video equipment has become so affordable nowadays that most college students in a film school or art college probably has a video camera, or knows how to get one. Some students buy their own video equipment to shoot events, live performances and short films in order to make money. You’ll be suprised to see how many people might reply to your ad even if you think your are charging a small price for their services.

3. Hire a family member or friend to shoot your wedding.

There has to be someone in your family that has a video camera. Maybe for a few extra bucks, they might be able to contribute their time and equipment to shoot your event.

Remember…

When you do hire inexperinced people to shoot your wedding, there can be many things that can go wrong that can result in a very bad looking video. Here are some suggestions to help make your video look better.

– Make sure that your shooter uses a tripod for at least 90% of the event.

– Have the shooter use a mini DV camera (don’t let them use a VHS-C or Hi-8 camera).

– Make sure that your videographer has a camera light so that the shooter is not videotaping any dark images at your event.

– Have your videographer use a wireless lavalier mic on the groom during the cermony so that the shooter can record the wedding vows clearly through a wireless receiver attached to the camera.

– Anything that is discussed between the shooter and the couple should be in writing, including monetary compensation, wedding dates, times, locations, and any additional conditions pertaining to the event.

– Discuss a date that you will be receiving your video from the videographer and let them know if you want the video on DVD or VHS.

Good Luck.