Ask crucial questions

       The cost of hiring a wedding videographer can be expensive and most will
 consider that to be a luxury, a want not a need. Hiring a wedding photographer is obvious,
 so why would you want to hire a professional videographer when your brother or cousin have
 a camcorder around? Answer below...

       Having your cousin or brother to shoot the wedding may seem like an
 inexpensive task, but shooting your wedding may not be on his priority list of things
 to do or he may be there just to have a good time, and hit on that really pretty bridesmaid
 because you invited him, not hire him to do the job, he is only doing it as a favor to you.

       Hiring a professional wedding videographer is a safety net so you do not miss
 the first dance shot, the cake cutting, the bouquet toss, and any key moments during
 the wedding. A professional wedding videographer job is to make sure all the important
 moments are recorded on film.

       To get the most for your dollars you should ask the appropriate questions
 and find a videographer that fits your sense of style.


        Here are some questions that I have listed below to help you prepare yourself
 for the interview. All questions should be asked before the actual shooting of the wedding,
 if there is any confusion as to what films are being used? Who is going to be your videographer?
 Make sure you clear that up ahead of time.

Types of questions you can ask:

 1. Ask how many cameras will be used, at big weddings two at the ceremony
 and two at the reception will be sufficient. For smaller weddings one at the reception
 and two at the ceremony will be most appropriate. Ask if they use 3-chip cameras, this
 can make a hugh impact on how the video looks, these are also referred to as broadcast
 quality cameras, and any serious wedding videographer should know what they are and
 have them at arms reach.

 2. Ask about editing, you should always have the option to edit the video.
 You do not want a wedding videographer to make a final copy of the video
 without applying that final touch to your video, no doubt editing the video is important
 but it is also more work for the videographer, and more work means more cost, so if
 you think you are getting a deal that is too good to be true, then it probably is, so ask
 about the editing process carefully!

 3. Ask for actual videos on DVD or tape highlighting their best film work done recently.
 Most professional videographer have clips of their videos posted on their websites for the
 general public to view. This will enhance your comfort level of the videographer style of
 shooting is. Remember a clip may look wonderful on your computer screen, but transfer
 the same picture to your plasma flat screen television at home, will it look just as good?
 If you found a videographer that you really like, but you seen a demo reel on another person's
 website, don't be intimidated, and not ask your videographer to include that aspect of the video
 on yours. Remember wedding videographer's are always looking for new ideas, shooting a
 wedding is more art than science.

 4. Ask about microphones and how they are being used for the ceremony?
 Any professional wedding videographer will know to use wireless microphones as they
 make a big difference in how the audio will turn out. A microphone can be on the groom, the
 minister, officiant, and any significant guest to ensure their voice turn out to be crips and clean
 on video. Again, all of this depends on how the wedding videographer likes to work, some may
 put the microphone on the groom but not the bride, and vice versa, so ask this in details.

 5. Ask the wedding videographer how they greet guest as they come in?
 When guest arrive and give advice or offer wishes to the newly weds, it would be
 signicant to include that on the video, and as the representative, for the ceremony it is vital
 for the videographer not to harass your guest, if the guest made it clear that he/she does
 not want to participate then the wedding videographer should know not to pester them again.

         Older folks, such as grandparents, are more likely to say, no, so if you really
 want to capture them on film it would be best to do so before the wedding starts!