Questions to ask your videographer before you book!

How long have you been filming weddings?

I have been working in the wedding industry for 6 years, and specifically filming weddings for 3 years. I have a company that provides other wedding vendor services, and that has given me a great perspective on all the vendors point of view day of. 2 years ago I started Forever Film Studio so I could solely focus on creating wedding films that capture the love story of my clients, as that is where my real passion lies. And today I am fortunate enough to make a living filming weddings.

How would you describe your style?

I have a cinematic style that emphasizes audio recorded the day of to drive the story, and give the film a uniquely intimate feeling that a video with only pretty clips cut together can not give you. Likewise I love seeing a film that follows the events of the day as they took place, as this strengthens the memories and the feeling you felt when you look back on you wedding day. Lastly I love for my wedding films to look as natural as possible and reflect the personality of the couples that I film. If you are somebody who doesn't prefer the attention of a camera I try to be as unnoticeable as possible while still capturing those unforgettable moments. And on the other hand if you enjoy some coaching or directing I love setting up the scene, and making sure that you are looking your best in your wedding film. I also know that every situation calls for its own touch and being flexible throughout the day to get the best shots is a strength that I pride myself on.

Who will be shooting and editing my wedding film?

Myself and my video assistant will be shooting the day of, and we also have a back up camera on a tripod catching the stationary shots. This gives us 3 different angles for any one scene and helps us tell the story better. I am the sole editor of the wedding films as well, because I shoot every wedding with the edit in mind. This allows me to create seamless transitions and an artistic touch that would not be possible if I were to outsource any portion of the filming/editing process. ( You should note some companies may outsource portions of the work, or the whole film entirely. This is does not necessarily mean that the quality will be less, but you cant guarantee that a third party is always going to give you their best.)     

Have you worked with our photographer before?

This is a great question to ask if you have already booked your photographer for many reasons, but most importantly: 

If your videographer and photographer have worked together before, then they likely have a good report and know how to help each other get the best quality footage, and not get in the way of one another. 

​

Have you worked at our venue before? 

Every venue has its unique character and quirks. Knowing that your videographer has worked at a venue before can provide you with some peace of mind, as they likely know the best spots to shoot from and understand the lighting, acoustics, etc... To add to this point if you have gone out of your way to book a beautiful wedding venue, then having a videographer familiar with the property can help to capture the venue in the perfect light. (It should also be noted that any videographer with experience should be able to go to any property and perform a "venue walkthrough" the day of and still be able to create an amazing film showcasing the property. It is not necessary to have shot there before but can be helpful from a ideas and creativity standpoint. 

What is the turnaround time on your wedding films?

Turnaround time for our films are between 30 and 60 days. If there are ad-ons such as engagement shoot and or honey moon shoot this can increase the turnaround time by an extra 30 days. Teaser videos will be released within 14 days after the wedding.

How long will you be there on the wedding day? 

On the day of the wedding my video assistant and I arrive in the morning to capture the getting ready portion of the day with the bride and groom. From that moment we will be with you and the wedding party for the entire day until the reception is over, and the guests are going home. We have no time limits or hourly limits, as our job is to capture the day in it's entirety. (Some companies charge by the hour which can be a more affordable option, but if you hire a team for 6 hours to film your ceremony and reception, and for whatever reason at the end of 6 hours you haven't finished your dances; you can expect to pay a premium for the additional time, or expect that your dances will not make it into the final video.)

If requested, how do you handle changes to the final video?

Our goal is to create the wedding film of your dreams, and we understand that this is the only film from your wedding day that you are ever going to get. And for that reason if we deliver a film, and you would like us to tweak some colors, adjust a clip or sequence, or add in a scene that was especially important to you, we will make those changes at no additional cost. 

What is your pricing and payment procedure?

When it comes to pricing and billing we keep it as simple as possible with no extra fees, or hidden gratuities, etc... Our films start at $2,900 and depending on the package that you design thee price can go up from there. Upon booking we will take a deposit of 50% of the total, and the rest will be due after the video is delivered. 

Do you recommend any other vendors in our area?

If you are asking this question it is likely because you have a good connection with your videographer at this point and plan on booking with them. This is a great question to ask because if you are still in the vendor selection process, your videographer will likely know some vendors that can offer a similar level of professionalism and experience. 

After having spent the last 6 years in the wedding industry with a company providing most wedding vendor services, I can say first hand that having a group of vendors that know each other, or have a high level of professional curtesy is paramount in making sure that your wedding day goes off without a hitch. This is especially true when it comes to the interactions between the videographer, photographer, and DJ/MC. If these three are not in sync it can cause headaches for you and your guests. For most professionals this is not an issue but by asking your videographer for recommendations you can have a little more piece of mind in your vendor selection.