You’ve done your research and narrowed down the wedding videographer search to just a few companies. You like their work, so you reach out to each them. When they call you back, what are some things you want to watch out for? Here is a list of five red flags.
Lack of wedding experience. Someone can be a good videographer, but that doesn’t automatically make them a good wedding videographer. An experienced wedding videographer anticipates moments, has backups in place, and finds solutions when the unexpected comes up. How many weddings has your videographer shot? Ask to see videos, and not only short “teaser” or “compilation reel”, but a real full wedding video.
Single shooter or unknown shooter: It is extremely difficult to deliver a quality wedding video as a “one-man-show”. Will your videographer bring along a second person, or will they try to do it all on their own? And for that matter, who will show up on your wedding day? Will it be the person you met with, or any one of the company’s many contracted videographers that happens to be available on your date?
Promise a specific length: Without knowing variables like the length of your ceremony and toasts, we can’t guarantee how long a video will be. Sure — we could set a camera to record in a corner of the room for four hours to deliver a four hour video, but how many times would you watch it? Our goal is to make every wedding video only as long as it is entertaining.
On-camera video light: On-camera video lights can be very distracting and obtrusive. They tend to produce harsh and unflattering footage. Does your videographer plan on using on-camera light during the ceremony, reception or otherwise?
Aerial footage without license: Be concerned when a company offers aerial footage without a licensed UAS (unmanned aerial system) pilot. The video company that flies a drone commercially without meeting certain requirements can face huge fines for flying illegally. Surprisingly, YOU can even be fined! Ask to see the UAS license.
