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PROFESSIONAL WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHERS: HELPFUL TIPS

Previously we've talked about launching a wedding video business from the "business" point of view. We've discussed video processing and video equipment. (Thankfully, equipment and software costs keep dropping dramatically.)

 

And we've talked about marketing. We discussed the pros and cons of using The Yellow Pages. We talked about online advertising. We talked about "targeting" your prospects via direct mail. We even looked at radio advertising -- whether a single radio commercial or a campaign consisting of a series of radio commercials.

 

Today let's talk about what to shoot for your clients.

 

What follows is a list of the key shots which you must absolutely try and get!

 

Before The Ceremony

 

• Bride and bridesmaids dressing (keep it G rated!). A shot of the bouquets and boutonnieres prior to being put on. A good alternative is the slow zoom out, or reveal shot.

 

• Groom getting ready, horse playing with groomsmen. Staged shots can be very effective. A classic is the "reservoir dogs" intro with all the groomsmen. Or the Best Man joking with the groom.

 

• Groom getting boutonniere placed by his mother

 

• Bride's shoes

 

• Wedding Gown on a hanger, bride's earrings, and other jewelry

 

• Details of the gown and bouquets, ring bearer pillow, flower girl basket

 

• Exterior church. A nice shot might start at the top of the church steeple, and then pan down to reveal the entire building. Try to take architectural shots at an angle, not standing flat in front of one wall. You'll want a shot of the limousine driving away from the bride's house. Get another shot of the limo arriving at the church.

 

Remember, the shots you take before the ceremony essentially act as an advertisement that promotes the "main event" that still is to come.

 

During The Ceremony

 

• Continuous roll of ceremony, from prior to the bride's entrance to the couple's walk down the aisle at the end. For ideal coverage, use two cameras. Put on near the aisle, in the back third of the church. Positioning yourself at the altar, ont he bridesmaids' side of the aisle, start the other handheld.

 

Shoot the procession, letting the bridesmaids walk past your position.

 

After the bride arrives on her father's arm, move to a tripod placed behind the officiate and on the groom's side. This gives the best shot of the bride during the vows. This movement MUST be coordinated and cleared with the officiant. The just one of many reasons you must attend the rehearsal. If the officiant won't allow this, just place the front camera on the tripod from the beginning.

 

• Another tip on the processional: Don't make every shot a pan, or at least not a full pan. You really don't need shots of people's backs as they walk past the back camera and on up the aisle. Pan a little to keep them in frame, but as they get to the back camera, stop the pan and let them walk out of frame.

 

• Any special touches in the ceremony, like a solo song, Unity Candle lighting, etc.

 

• Reaction shots of bride and groom's families, especially during the vows

 

• Try a depth of field shot -- For example, the soloist in focus with the bride and groom in the background out of focus, then gently shift focus to bride and broom... things like that.

 

(At the rehearsal, I tell the bride and groom to stop a few feet in front of the back camera as they come down the aisle at the recessional, and kiss. That's a very nice touch.)

 

But your commercial video production isn't done yet. You need to wrap up your promotional story by showing what happens next, at...

 

At The Reception

 

• Exterior shots of the reception venue, if it is at all photogenic. Cutaway shots of status, fountains, flowers, etc..

 

• Limo arriving at reception, and Wedding Party getting out. I can't stress enough the importance of this. Don't be so distracted when setting up your gear at the reception that you miss the arrival of the bridal party!

 

• Wedding party entering the reception. (Often this, and maybe the best man making his toast, are the only reception shots for which I'll use a tripod.)

 

• First dance. This is the most important of any of the dances you could shoot.

 

• Mom's dance with the groom

 

• Dad's dance with the bride. This one can be a real tear-jerker, if you take a close-up with one camera, and a full shot with a second camera.

 

• Best man's toast. The best way to shoot this is with two cameras -- one on the bridge and groom, the other on the best man.

 

• Cake cutting. Groom Champagne Glasses. Table centerpieces.

 

• Romantic Moments

 

• Children laughing or playing

 

• Guests saying goodbye

 

• Bride and Groom exiting the building and getting showered with confetti

 

• Bride and Groom getting into the limo; limo driving away

 

Remember, your videos are telling a story. Just like a movie or a television program. Or even like a radio ad or TV commercial.

 

You're telling a small but very personal story.

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