Wedding Day Tips for Videographers
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As DSLR and mirrorless cameras become more and more capable video cameras, it makes more sense than ever before for photographers to offer videography services to their clients.
That means that you need to be extra prepared when the big day arrives because your responsibilities during the wedding, reception, and other activities will essentially be doubled.
Weddings are already stressful enough as a photographer, but throw in the responsibility of making a video, and you have a recipe for a high-stress situation.
However, with these quick wedding videographer tips, you'll be in a prime position to be successful.
Wedding Video Tips: What Camera is Best?
First things first, what camera should you use for wedding videos?
My assumption is that most of you will be photographing and videoing weddings, so having cameras that can pull double duty is a must.
Modern DSLRs like the Nikon D850 and mirrorless cameras like the Sony a7S II are all equipped with 4K video shooting and other excellent options that make them excellent choices for photography and videography.
What's common to both of these cameras is that they have a full frame sensor, which gives you improved low-light performance. This is a must for wedding photography because many wedding venues prohibit flash photography. Likewise, many reception venues tend to have dim lighting.
What's not common among these cameras is that the Nikon D850 is a big, heavy DSLR while the Sony is a much smaller, lighter mirrorless camera.
While DSLRs are bigger and heavier, they also have a much longer battery life. That might help you minimize the number of shots you miss while swapping out a dead battery for a fresh one.
On the other hand, mirrorless cameras, though the battery life isn't what a DSLR offers, are much easier to maneuver around with, particularly in the throngs of people at the reception.
Ultimately, the cameras you use will likely come down to your personal preference as well as what you can afford.
But if I had my druthers, I'd make sure my kit includes a full frame camera with 4K video capabilities.
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Plan, Plan, and Plan Some More
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If you've ever photographed a wedding you understand just how much work it is.
You also understand that the more planning and preparation you put into it beforehand, the more likely you are to have smooth sailing once the wedding day arrives.
There are some essential questions you need to ask in your planning stage.
What is the shot list?
You'll need to prepare a shot list for the videos your clients want to take.
Just like with your shot list for still photos, your video shot list should include all the "must-haves" like the bride's dance with her father as well as any moments you want to capture (i.e., B-roll video).
When compiling the shot list, don't just talk to the couple-to-be. Instead, consult with family, friends, and the wedding planner or coordinator as well to see if they have any ideas for making the wedding video more special.
What is the venue like?
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You should do a walkthrough of the wedding and reception venues with the eye of a photographer to get an idea of where you can set up your gear and identify any obstacles you might need to overcome to get the shots you need.
But as you do that, you need to also explore the venue using a videographer's eye as well.
This approach is a little different from photography because when you shoot video, you need more freedom of movement to walk around and film the wedding activities.
What's more, you need to create a visual map of how the wedding and reception will unfold, that way you can determine what gear you need, where you and your assistants will be positioned, and how you will move from one position to the next without being in the way or obstructing the view of guests.
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How many cameras do you need?
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When you're just taking still photos of a wedding, you need at least two cameras per shooter.
But if you and your team are also responsible for video, a third body per shooter is highly recommended.
By having a primary camera and lens for still photos and a separate camera and lens for video, you minimize the need to swap lenses and have more time to shoot.
With a third camera and lens waiting in the wings, you also minimize an interruption in your work should something go awry with your primary gear.
It goes without saying that you can't photograph and video a wedding on your own, so you'll need a second shooter with at least three camera/lens combinations as well. A third shooter might not be a bad idea either!
Don't Forget B-Roll
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B-roll is simply extra footage you take over the course of the day that helps "fill in the gaps" in the final video, but don't think that it's not crucially important to the quality of the final video.
B-roll helps you weave everything together into a video that looks and feels complete. In other words, it helps you tell the story of the day.
Examples of B-roll might be "behind-the-scenes" sequences of the engaged couple getting ready the morning of the wedding. It might also include sequences showing the reaction of the couple's parents as their kids officially tie the knot. You might even include candid shots to give the final video more warmth and genuineness.
B-roll is also great for transitioning from one shot to the next or covering up a gap in time in a primary sequence.
If you have voiceovers in the final video, B-roll is a great addition because it allows the audience to hear the narrator without feeling like they're missing out on the primary action.
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Make Creating the Final Video as Easy as Possible
After all the work you do to plan and prepare, execute your shot list, and get all the primary footage and B-roll you need, the last thing you want to do is have to spend hours and hours putting all that together.
These days when time is money, you're best served by using tools that allow you to speed up the process without sacrificing quality.
In my opinion, the best tool to help you do that is Kizoa.
Kizoa is the perfect blend of features, ease of use, and price.
Not only does Kizoa give you the power to add special effects, beautiful transitions, and texts to your videos, but it also has an easy-to-use interface.
That means that you have a ton of features at your fingertips for making special videos, but you don't feel like you need an advanced degree to learn how to use it.
In fact, whether you're using Kizoa's web-based platform on your computer or their free iOS app on your smartphone, you'll find that you can find your way around quite easily and produce top-notch videos in no time. See what I mean in the video above!
Perhaps best of all, Kizoa is budget-friendly.
My membership set me back just $30 - and that was a one-time fee! I have access to Kizoa for life without any of those recurring monthly or yearly charges that Adobe and other companies make you pay.
When you have to pay for high-end cameras, top-notch lenses, tripods, and other gear, it's nice to be able to save money on your editing tools without sacrificing quality.
If you're ready to start offering videography as part of your client services, Kizoa is a great tool to help you!
