helpguide

What to Ask When Selecting a Wedding Videographer:
To help guide you in making a more educated selection, below is a list of questions you may want to ask.

Is the videographer professionally trained and from what professional organization did he or she obtain their training?
A properly trained videographer must successfully complete of a rigorous series of tests, a continuing education program, use up to date equipment, and periodic critical evaluations to establish the consistent quality of their work.

What type of equipment does the videographer use, and what is the backup equipment, if any?
Many couples are misled into believing that they must select a videographer that only uses medium format equipment. Ten years ago this was true, but technology and improvements in film quality have made this belief false. Many kinds of equipment, whether medium format, or high resolution digital produce good results. An experienced videographer can provide excellent coverage with any of these formats, and will use equipment that helps them create their best work. It's like asking an artist what kind of brush he or she uses. Do you judge the art on the tools used or on the result? It is important that the videographer have a complete backup of every piece of equipment that will be used at the wedding.

How many weddings has the photographer covered, and how many have been similar to yours?
If you are planning, for example, an ethnic wedding where special ceremonies may take place, it may be important to know if the videographer has covered your kind of wedding before. If not, you may want to arrange a liaison, such as a relative or friend to guide the videographer to important people and moments throughout the day. This is especially helpful if they do not share a common language.

What are the videographer's references and credentials? How long has he or she been in business and where?
What is the videographer's education? Did he or she learn their art from college, trade school, apprenticeship, or just picked it up videographing weddings for friends? Has the videographer moved around a lot? The videographer should be able to provide at least three references from other weddings they have filmed.

Some videographers give only verbal prices or estimated costs. Get all of your needs in writing including the prices of additional prints, albums, travel, time or other services. Are their penalties or costs for making changes later?

Is the videographer flexible with prices, packages, times, locations (both indoor and outdoor), shooting style, etc.?
Some videographers may be very limiting on time, length of film, number of prints used in montages, types or photographs, etc. This also may be an indication of their flexibility to changes on the wedding day.

Is the person whose work you review the same person who will photograph your wedding?
Many videographers hire assistants or subcontract their weddings. The samples you see at the initial meeting may not be the work of the actual videographer who will film your wedding. Also, don't assume that video samples appearing in demos and handout materials are the videographer's work.

Does the videographer use a written contract or agreement, and what are the financial terms?
Always get a written contract whether the videographer is a professional or amateur. It confirms in writing the dates, times, locations, prices, financial arrangements, services included and whether items are subject to change. Up to a third retainer will be required to secure the date, with the balance due prior to or on the wedding day, and the law may not consider the agreement binding without a retainer.

What happens if the videographer cannot fulfill his or her obligation for any reason?
What happens if you need to cancel the videographer's services?
Since you are reserving the videographer's services for a particular time and date, the videographer must turn down any other requests that would conflict with yours. In most cases this can mean, at the minimum, a forfeiture of your retainer or deposit. In addition, penalties for cancellation and reimbursement of expenses could apply.

How long will it take to deliver agreed upon tapes?
This will vary from videographer to videographer but up to sixty days is reasonable.

How many minutes of footage will be taken on the wedding day?
This is usually based on shooting style of the videographer and the price of the package selected. Some videographers will limit their coverage to reduce expenses.

How long does the videographer keep the original tapes, and are they available for purchase?
It is important to know what will become of them if you do not or are not able to purchase them.

How long will the videographer be at your wedding, and will he or she be available for additional time if needed?
Some videographers try to contract more than one wedding or other event in a single day. This could make them unavailable for sudden changes in schedule. There may be additional fees if the videographer is required to stay beyond the contracted time or required to be available for sudden changes.

Does the videographer have a sample of a complete wedding that he or she has filmed?
Ask to see a demo of a complete wedding if one is not presented. This will give you a better feel for the quality of the video in different situations during the same wedding rather than an album of the best video from different weddings.

Do you feel comfortable with the photographer?
Get to know your videographer. Meet more than once if necessary. Does he or she listen or talk a lot? Flexible or rigid? Does he or she direct or follow? Accommodating to your needs or set on his or her own way? If your gut instinct makes you uncomfortable with the videographer, there may be a good reason no matter how good things look on the surface. Take your time, and don't be pressured. Meet with them twice if you want to be sure. You are making a large investment. You will have to live with the results the rest of your life.

What is his or her style when video taping the ceremony and events during the reception?
Does the videographer film the events as they happen or stage them? Where will the videographer be during the ceremony? Will he or she abide by the rules of the church and officiator? How distracting or intrusive will he or she be?

When and where will formal portraits of wedding party, friends and family be taken: before the ceremony, before and after the ceremony, after the ceremony or at the reception?

How many lights, and what kind of light does the videographer use on the wedding day?

Does the photographer guarantee his or her work?
If you are unhappy with your album or pictures, what will the photographer do to make things right? Do your album and prints have any kind of warranty or guarantee?

If the photographer is using digital media is it professional high resolution?
Professional high resolution cameras generally cost thousands of dollars compared to amateur digital cameras which can be purchased for under a thousand. If the videographer is using digital it should be of professional quality with professional grade tape.

How does the quality between different videographers compare?
Obtain or borrow samples from different videographers for comparison. Don't rely on memory. Differences may not stand out until they are side by side.

There are many more questions that could be asked. I hope this helps you in your selection of a photographer.