What is a Camera Operator?

Camera operators work in the television, music and film industry and are usually employed by television and cable companies or by video production houses. They are responsible for capturing different scenes during production and operating a wide variety of technical equipment that may include single and multiple portable, electronic and remote-control cameras.

Other key responsibilities of a camera operator include operating cranes and mobile mountings, assembling and setting up camera equipment, planning and preparing scenes, following camera scripts and working with the lighting and technical staff on each production.

This is one job in the film industry that can be very physically demanding and tiring. The position often requires a great deal of traveling between locations and many long days or irregular work hours.

Additionally, maintenance and proper handling of all filming and recording equipment is extremely important due to the cost of such items.

Primary roles

• Framing shots

Working closely with the director and other creative personnel to choreograph and frame shots is one of the key tasks for a camera operator. An in-depth knowledge of and the ability to find the appropriate camera lenses to capture a scene is something that will be heavily relied upon. Additionally, the use of special equipment like dollies and camera cranes may be necessary to portray dramatic scenes. Understanding the basic principles of dramatic storytelling and film editing fundamentals may also prove important for this primary role.

• Operating and maintaining equipment

The camera operator is responsible for using and maintaining some of the most costly items in the entire film production, so a thorough knowledge of said equipment is a must. The position also includes setting up technical equipment on set and responding quickly to directions given by the film director and other creative personnel —all while operating large and expensive equipment.

Secondary roles

• Communicate with film crew

Because many film and television productions work under tight budget constraints, operators must be able to effectively and quickly communicate with the rest of the film crew during production.  Quick thinking, immense concentration and strong hand-eye coordination are also very important when working under such close time constraints. Potential operators should be prepared to work closely as part of a team but also must be willing to stand out in regards to their own level of competency.

• Assist the production and crew

Depending on the type of production, operators may need to frame camera shots for live studio or field productions when directed. Taking the initiative and modifying any processes or procedures that will help production move along is also an important aspect of this role on set. To ensure that production keeps moving along at the proper pace, it may also be necessary for operators to help with studio production setup and set preparations as well.

Camera operator job description: what does a camera operator do?

The camera operator is the individual who physically holds and moves/controls the camera throughout principal photography of a production.

Working under the guidance of the director and DP, it’s the camera operator’s job to capture their visions through the viewfinder. Among many responsibilities, he or she is tasked with leading a crew of camera assistants (first assistant camera, second assistant camera, etc.), mapping out the specifics of the film’s visuals with the DP and ensuring they’re executed properly, assisting with blocking the set, getting cameras in position, framing the shot of each scene, supervising the selection and preparation of various shooting accessories that will best serve the moment (lenses, rigs, cranes, dollies), and being in charge of camera/equipment movement and maintenance.

Additionally, the camera operator is often the only one on set who sees how everything is being shot in the moment and so it’s on their shoulders to correct and/or readjust something that doesn’t match the director/DP’s vision.

 

Career path: How you start and where you can go with it?

Although specialist technical production courses and some training schemes offer a good basic grounding in the skills and knowledge required for this role, intensive industry experience is the key. Most Camera Operators begin their careers as Camera Trainees, and work their way up through the ranks of the camera department over several years. Training and qualifications No specific qualifications are required to work in this role. Studio/OB Camera Operators usually learn most of their practical skills through hands-on experience on the job. However, continual professional development is vital, especially as technology is changing rapidly. Useful advice and information can be gained by studying trade journals, attending exhibitions and joining industry forums. Basic stills photography, which develops visual and composition skills, provides a useful starting point in training for this role.

 

5 Tips for Becoming a Professional Camera Operator

Like most jobs in the film industry, camera operator positions are not easy to come by, but the following guidelines can help any aspiring cameramen get their foot in the door:

• Know how to use a camera. Getting to know the ins and outs of your film camera equipment is essential to a successful career as a cameraman. Learn the basics of your camera system including the different shooting modes, lenses, and types of gear. Study other films and become familiar with camera angles, positioning, and movements.
• Attend a program. Whether you choose to attend film school or community college, many film departments will grant students access to equipment, which means you can practice with real gear and familiarize yourself with both the technical skills and process of a cameraman’s role. While certain camera operator jobs may require a formal education—an associate’s degree in video production or a bachelor’s degree in television production—a high school diploma and strong working knowledge of how to use a camera is enough to get you started.
• Find an assistant position. You can learn all the tricks of the trade from experienced professionals by finding a job as a camera assistant or production assistant. Learning the ins and outs of the industry and how everything works on-set is valuable practical experience, and also provides a potential opportunity for you to move up within the production studio, or television network, and advance your career.
• Organize a portfolio. A demo reel or portfolio of work can help showcase your abilities as a cameraman. Your first few cameraman jobs may be unpaid student films or low-budget indies, but these jobs can give you the hands-on work experience you need while helping to build a portfolio that will impress future employers.
• Hone your skills. Camera operators must have excellent hand-eye coordination, as well as a sharp attention to detail, and solid communication skills. Camera operation is a collaborative process that takes a creative mind, and a team player to execute properly. Work on as many projects as you can to build your skillset.

 

Recording a video of a solar eclipse

• When recording video or capturing still images, make sure to use an approved solar filter on your camera, as the sun can damage both your eyes and the camera’s image sensor. It is safe to use a smartphone without a solar filter.
• When pointing a camera directly at the sun, it is important to have the proper filter in place–the sun’s rays could damage the camera, as the light would hit the camera’s image sensor directly.
• At the point of totality, just like when capturing still photography, you may want to remove your filter, as it will be quite a bit darker than immediately before or after totality.
• When capturing video, safety glasses are not needed if you’re only looking through the screen of the camera at a live view; however, a filter should be used to protect the camera’s image sensor. When looking up at the sky during the eclipse, safety glasses should be worn to protect any possible damage to your eyes.
• When capturing video, you may need to remove the solar filter during totality, and then reattach it immediately after totality, in order to handle the changes in light. This could be challenging if you’re looking to capture continuous video. You might look into capturing a time-lapse video of the eclipse if that better suits your desired outcome.

Are party buses illegal?

Do party buses get pulled over?

Close your eyes and think about the typical scene on a party bus. You can probably imagine a large group of young people standing on the seats, shouting at their friends, dancing to music, and possibly even drinking alcohol. Now ask yourself – are any of those things against the law? The answer to that question might surprise you.

Whether a party bus gets pulled over or not depends largely on the specific situation and the area. In most cases, normal traffic laws apply to the driver and to the bus company that operates the service. However, many of the typical traffic laws that apply to automobile passengers are not applicable to party bus passengers.

Many law enforcement officers feel that party buses actually make the roads safer, since they offer a safe way for crowds to travel safely, particularly if alcohol is being consumed. The lack of serious regulation on party bus behavior, though, does not mean that there is no cause for passengers or parents to be concerned about their behavior.

Party Bus Transportation Regulations

Drivers who operate party buses are required to abide by typical driving laws during operation, including using an appropriate rate of speed, following traffic signs, and maintaining a valid driver’s license. In addition, drivers who carry 16 passengers or more at a time must obtain a commercial driver’s license.

Bus companies that provide transportation services are legally required to carry adequate insurance coverage. Company owners may be subject to regular audits by state and local transportation departments to examine drivers’ safety records.

Traffic Laws for Party Buses

For the most part, normal automobile traffic laws do not apply to party bus passengers. There is no law against standing or shouting while the bus is in motion and there is no legal standard governing general passenger behavior. In fact, party buses are not even legally obligated to have seatbelts, which means that passengers are not required to wear them during a trip.

Why Passengers Should Exercise Caution

The fact that there are no concrete legal requirements for behavior on a party bus, though, does not give passengers freedom to do anything they like. The lack of legal precedent also gives local law enforcement a bit of latitude when deciding whether to pull a bus over.

Just as there is no law that requires passengers to remain seated, there is no law that prevents police from stopping buses periodically to inspect for illegal behavior. In some areas, party buses have been pulled over and their passengers have been ticketed for participating in underage drinking.

This means that passengers and parents of passengers should exercise some caution when it comes to how they behave while riding on a party bus. Passengers on a party bus are not exempt from the laws of the land that cover substance abuse and assault.

 

Legality of Party Buses

Just got paid, Friday night… this used to be the theme song of adults ready to hit the clubs on the weekend after a hard work week. Well, now the party has extended to what are known as “party buses”. This relatively new phenomenon is all the rage but not without incident. As with any new hot trend, there is typically a down side that creates a need for legislation to curb abuses. California tightened up rules regarding party buses after a San Mateo teen died in a crash after leaving a party bus.

One thing the new law does not require is any registration, notification, or license with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. However, that assumes that the alcohol is to be furnished by the travelers – not the bus operator. Travelers bring the alcohol aboard and the bus-operator just provide the housing for its ingestion. In California, there is no license type that presently permits the party bus operator to furnish the alcohol.

The Passenger Charter-party Carriers Act is in place to make sure that only carriers with specific permits from the California Public Utilities Commission engage in transportation services specifically engaged for drinking. However the newer legislation further expounds on this Act by defining responsibilities and liabilities for carriers in this business. Key regulations include:

• Requiring any party bus or limo with minors on board to have chaperones in place to ensure that minors do not drink while on board. Carriers are required to ask when making reservations if alcohol will be consumed and if anyone under 21 will be present. If the answer is “Yes” to both questions, a chaperone must be designated. The chaperone can be held liable if underage drinking occurs on their watch.
• Carriers and operators of buses are not only responsible for driving their passengers but they are also on the hook if underage drinking occurs while they are operating the vehicle. Failure to comply brings with it the possibility of being charged with a misdemeanor after three (3) violations.
• Bus companies can be hit with fines up to $2000 for their first two (2) offenses and have their license revoked for a third.

 

Check your party bus

The province also wants passengers to check to make sure party buses have a special authorization licence. The licences state where vehicles can operate and how many vehicles a company can have. Passengers should look for a passenger-transportation licence plate and decal on the front of the vehicle, or if there is no plate, ask to see a temporary operating permit, before boarding a bus. The province says police will be monitoring limousines and party buses during the holiday season. Operators could lose their licence if they do not comply with liquor laws, while minors in possession of alcohol could be fined $230.

 

Tips for Renting a Party Bus

Renting a party bus is a fancy mode of celebration for special events, such as prom parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, weddings, as well as other celebratory events.

The following are some tips to help you have a smooth and enjoyable ride when renting a party bus:

• Make sure to have a reservation. Ideally, you should make a reservation at least one month prior to your event. Then one week before your party, confirm the reservation.
• Plan carefully and know all the details. Most rental companies need to know all the details about the special event. This is because they have to lay out decorations. In fact, there are a few companies that specialize in certain occasions.
• Aside from that, you must also have an idea of how many of your invitees are coming.
• In addition, you also need to know how long you expect to need the party bus service as well as your chosen route and its distance.
• Know which party bus type would suit your party and the number of your guests. Not all party buses have the same capacity. So better know the headcount first, and then choose the party bus type that you want.
• Know which beverages are allowed. A big part of the fun experience of renting a party bus is having cocktails and other refreshments throughout the fun ride. Ask your chosen rental company regarding which food and drinks it offers as well as its policies.
• Select the music that you want to play. A few party bus companies offer radio or satellite radio. But that doesn’t mean you can’t choose the music that you want to play and have it on your iPod. However, it’s better if you would discuss it with them before the date of your special event.

 

Are you allowed to drink on a party bus?

Alcohol consumption laws in Arizona prohibit any person younger than 21 years of age, and, therefore, not legally considered an adult, from consuming alcoholic beverages. People who are 21 years old or older are allowed to drink onboard a party bus same as if they were in a nightclub.

In some cases, minors may be allowed in a party bus if there’s an older adult present who can prevent them from drinking alcohol, or if the party bus’ destination is someplace where minors are otherwise allowed to enter.

Needless to say, the party bus chauffeur is absolutely not allowed to consume alcohol while on duty. After all, there’s nothing more important than the safety of party bus passengers and their secure arrival at their destination.

Can you smoke on party bus?

Whether cigarettes and other tobacco-using products, such as shishas and cigars, are allowed in a party bus depends on the policy of the rental service. Because of this, there’s no universal answer to this question. It’s best to contact the rental company and ask.

As for cannabis, the answer is: definitely not. Arizona’s strict marijuana laws allow marijuana possession only to individuals who have been prescribed medicinal marijuana by their physicians. Anyone else who’s caught using or carrying weed will likely face felony charges.

It goes without saying that no trusted party bus rental service would ever allow its passengers to consume illegal substances onboard their vehicles. Any company that offers such discretion is highly suspect and should be avoided.

Videography Tips for More Professional-Looking Videos

Many of these tips and techniques are timeless, which means you can still refer to these as your guide when you decide to pursue a career in videography and become a cinematographer. Try them out and learn them by heart. Along the way, not only would these help you produce more professional-looking videos that will impress your audience but they will also help you realize your potential and own creative filmmaking style.

Gather Your Equipment

Fortunately for beginners, we live in a time where high-quality digital cameras are made to be affordable for personal and recreational use. You can practice videography with gadgets that you may already have, like your smartphone, as long as you keep these simple things in mind:

• Use the back camera for better quality footage
• Shoot in landscape mode (horizontally instead of vertically)
• Turn on the overlay grid on your screen, if you have it, so you have a guide for keeping your phone level

If you have the budget for it, we definitely recommend purchasing a gimbal stabilizer for your camera for steadier handheld shots, an external microphone for better audio, and a reliable video tripod.

Plan Your Shoot

If you’re going to shoot a music video, commercial, or short film, you’ll have much more freedom to plan it from start to finish. To really do it like the pros, create your own storyboard with illustrations of your scenes in sequence. This will help you pre-visualize your final footage and outline your desired shots. It will serve as your guide during shooting and editing, plus it can help you determine the perfect time of day for shooting, your desired venues, and the right cameras to be used (in case you have several options) prior to filming.

On the other hand, if you’re covering an event, you’re going to want to be as ready as you possibly you can. For instance, in wedding videography, the wedding videographer should have a good idea about when and how to take videos of the bride, groom, and the wedding party.

A few helpful wedding videography tips to remember:

• Make sure that you know the timeline for the entire wedding day like the back of your hand — from the ceremony to reception program.
• Have a shot list prepared. This list should include the first kiss, the cake cutting, and other key moments that the couple would want to be immortalized.
• Just as there are wedding photography styles, there are also certain shooting styles for wedding videography. Stick to a specific style. Be consistent and use the right one that fits the couple and their event for the perfect cinematic wedding video.

 

Map Your Setup Locations and Times

Depending on the venue, you may have to do a bit of walking to get from one position to another in time to capture key events. If you know you’re going to be on the move, make sure you allow time to get from one spot to the next and with the right crew and equipment. Make sure you’re in the right place at the right time – all the time.

Prepare for the Worst – Bring Extra Everything

You never know when a problem will arise. At some events your entire job might have you sitting in a chair while your camera records right next to you and nothing will go wrong. Other times you might have cables go bad, camera failures, missing media, broken adaptors, accidents with gear, spills, and other various problems. Adapting becomes key, and to do that, you may need extra equipment.

Know Your Gear

If you’re shooting tapeless, do you get a blip in your recording when your camera software automatically breaks up your video file at 4GB to conform to your FAT32 memory card? Do you know how to change audio channels and fend off interference with your wireless microphones in an environment full of wireless signals? Do you know how to change the settings on your camera for different microphones, or how to set the camera to output to a screen via HDMI or SDI properly?

Factors that often only show themselves in event environments are definitely worth preparing for. Create test scenarios at your home or office – try leaving your camera recording all day then review the footage for issues. Test your audio in different locations, (busy apartment buildings or malls might simulate Wi-Fi saturated environments), and play with the video output settings and see what works best with your hardware.

 

Shots spanning a crowd or showing your venue/environment

You’re looking for images that capture the feeling of your event, while also creating a fear of missing out. A shot that shows the scale of your event, including the venue and environment, is enticing and helps people imagine what it’d be like to attend.

Short video clips and soundbites from attendees

92% of consumers trust peer recommendations over advertising, which is one of the reasons why testimonials are so powerful. People are usually more than happy to say a few words about why they love something, so make sure to interview attendees about your event.

Aerial shots using drones

Drones have made it super easy to get footage from unusual vantage points and perspectives of events. Doing so reinforces the scale of your conference or festival, and emphasizes the points of interest about your location (like a big city, or over-seas destination). If you don’t have access to a drone, not to worry. You can search for stock footage in the city where you’re holding your event.

 

Manually Set Your Camera’s White Balance

Now we know that different light sources have different temperatures, we need to account for these temperature ranges by manually setting the camera’s white balance – a process that basically tells the camera what “true white” looks like in an environment to avoid color casting. In the image above, the shot on the left has a blue color cast caused by the natural temperature of the daylight in the shot. The white balance of the shot on the right has been set correctly, capturing the true colors of the image.

Many cameras have an auto-white balance feature, but I strongly recommend learning how to set it manually. This avoids relying on your camera to achieve a correctly color balanced shot. You can learn how to do this by referring to the instruction manual of your camera. Even if the color casting in the example above is the effect you’re trying to achieve, film the shot using the correct white balance and adjust the color in post-production – don’t rely on lazy camerawork to achieve a particular effect.

 

How to Manage Your Client’s Expectations and Needs

This is a fundamental skill for all professional photographers. Having an open dialogue between yourself and your client is key to getting the best shots.

You need to ask your clients important questions such as these:

• What event is this?
• What kind of images do you want from this event? Are you looking for headshots?
• What are the most important moments?
• What style of photography do you like?
• What do you not like?

No one wants a disappointing event photography shoot because there was miscommunication. By speaking to your client, you can make sure that your client is well aware of the limits of the photo session. Make sure that they understand what to expect from your services. If your client has hired an event organizer, speak to them about expectations.

How to Choose the Perfect Videographer for an Event

Set a Budget

Speaking of money, this is incredibly important. Try to do a little bit of research to get an idea of what you’ll be getting for the amount of money you’re willing to pay. Some professional videographers offer great quality for reasonable prices but a really long turn around, so you won’t be seeing the results for months after the event. Others might have a faster turnaround but work at higher rates. And of course, there are lots of videographers that have great prices and portfolios but might not have the right equipment to shoot the venue you’ve chosen. So, keep in mind your priorities when setting your budget for the videographer.

Define Your Style

There are many different styles of videos and you’ll need to find one that you need. Some people opt for corporate looking videos with simple editing, while others favour a more candid approach with a more artistic style. Defining what type of video you like the most will make the process a lot easier, as videographers usually choose to work in only one style and you’ll be able to see it just by looking at what they’ve done before.

Check Their Portfolios

Professional videographers have their portfolios readily available for any potential clients. Though keep in mind that some videographers hide their more “mainstream” work (i.e. Weddings, birthdays, corporate meetings, etc). That is to say that if you find a videographer that you really like but see they don’t have any events in their portfolio, don’t be afraid to ask them whether they’ve done that kind of job before. In general, you should always see their previous work before sealing the deal.

Have an Honest Chat

It’s also a good idea to keep references of what you’d like your video to look like and bring them on any meetings you have with potential videographers. It’s important that you both know what kind of results will be expected. Be sure to be as honest as possible with the videographer that you choose to work with. They can help you realize whether you have unrealistic expectations or point you in the direction of someone that can get the job done.

 

Keys to Find the Best Event Videographer

Identify the Type of Event

There are several types of events and so, videographers may focus their efforts towards acquiring techniques and skills in one or few of these types. Events may be corporate, personal or performance related. A corporate event may be a business conference, a major meeting or a retreat. Personal events could be a wedding or anniversary celebration while performance related events are inclusive of concerts or stage plays.

The knowledge of this helps you to know the kind of videographer you need. It also helps the videographer to understand the mood of the event and the lighting that would most appropriately fit in.

Consider Your Budget

The size of your budget is also an important factor in finding a videographer. While no one would want low quality, your budget would determine what you can afford. Hiring a videographer that is way above your budget would not be best choice.

In some cases, you may find a videographer that can deliver the quality you need at a price lower than your budget. That could work. However, ensure that you are certain of the quality. Whatever the case is, work around what you can afford.

Do Not Search With Levity

In preparing and making arrangements for your event, it is easy to shove the videography part and take it lightly. You might passively ask someone to take care of it and forget about it. However, if you want to get quality service, it is important to take the videography as serious as you take other components of your event. This way, you would be able to make a choice from several videographers and have control over quality too.

If Possible, Seek Out Reviews

What are other people saying? Reviews are a great way to know the prowess of a videographer. If you are considering a videographer or a company rendering this service, you would like to check out how other people feel about the services rendered.

Several times, the videographer that you get to work with might be the one suggested by a friend or acquaintance. It is all a circle. Your experience with a videographer might help another person make the best choice and then another. Simply put, referrals can lead you to the best videographer you need!

Ask To See Previous Projects

Like other crafts, portfolios speak a great deal about the quality of job that an individual can offer. It is important to look through a completed project of the videographer. The short duration of highlights could make them easy to create. A catchy and emotional highlight may hide the overall quality of the project.

Usually, people put forth their best pieces. Regarding the quality you want, it might be necessary to ask to look through several completed projects. Remember that a quality video is a whole package consisting of visuals and an audio. Going through completed projects also helps you to determine if their style and audio quality would work well for you.

 

Choosing the Perfect Photographer or Videographer for Your Event

Choosing your photographer

Before you make a request, there are things you’ll need to think about, to make sure you can make the perfect request.

First things first….

Make sure you have a venue and date before submitting a request. A photographer/videographer will want to know where your event is so that they can give you an accurate quote, and so they can see if they are able to travel there.

Wedding Photography

ALL Wedding Photographers specialise in capturing beautiful moments on your special day. They will spend time before your wedding getting to know you and going through the different options they can provide for you. They often have add-ons like a photo album to showcase your day. They’re also good for wedding vow renewals. If you don’t just want a wedding photographer there are other options!

Vintage Wedding Photographer

Fancy wedding photography, but want your photos taken in beautiful natural reportage style? A vintage wedding photographer is a supplier for you!

Documentary Wedding Photographer

Taking photos throughout the day to document your perfect day to a T. They specialise in taking natural and candid photos of you and your wedding guests throughout the day. Perfect if you don’t like posing!

 

Hiring an Event Videographer: How to Contract the Best Pro for Every Event

What is event videography?

Event videography is the process of recording a live-action event on digital media. Videography is similar to cinematography (the movie-making process), but it occurs outside of the motion picture production field.

The person who operates the camera is called a videographer. The videographer records footage of the event and edits the final product to produce a high-quality, engagement video segment. For social events, such as weddings, the video is shared with the couple and guests. For business or educational events, the video is used for websites, social media marketing, or online streaming videos.

Do you need a professional videographer for your event?

You may think an event team member can capture ‘good-enough’ footage of the event on a smartphone. Or, you feel the event doesn’t merit the cost of a professional videographer.

But high-quality video documentation of corporate events, galas, speeches, and company parties is a great way to build your brand awareness and get people interested in what you do. If you plan to show your videos on YouTube (watched by 73 percent of adults in the US) or another social media platform, hiring a videographer is a must. These industry professionals produce polished, in-focus results that are well-framed, accurate representations of the event.

How do you choose an event videographer?

Start by browsing sites such as Upwork, GigSalad, or Thumbtack, and seeking recommendations from venue managers and respected industry colleagues. Read customer reviews on the vendor sites, as well as on Yelp and Google Reviews. Pay attention to strengths or weaknesses called out repeatedly—these suggest positive or negative qualities.

Look for videos shot in your preferred style to narrow down your search. A demo reel is a great way to get a feel for a videographer’s work, but it’s only a small sample of their best. Dig deeper to find full videos so you can see the video content they’re capable of producing. Double-check that the work is recent, rather than several years old. Videography styles change rapidly, you want a pro who is on top of the trends.

 

How to Choose the Right Videographer for your Wedding

Watch Wedding Films

It may sound ridiculous but one of the most important thing you can do while searching for wedding videographers is to watch their work. Go on YouTube and Facebook and watch as many wedding films as you possibly can before even contacting any videographer. This is crucial to your research process because it will allow you to understand what these videos look like and what you can expect from them. Secondly, you will be able to understand what you want your video to look like and help you pick the vendors you will talk to based on that. Don’t be afraid to look outside your city; if you watch a video you absolutely love and they are a few cities away or even a state, contact them anyway you may be able to find someone across the country that has that very specific style you like and they can work out a deal with you so you can get the video you actually want.

Meet vendors in person

Once you have watched a few films and know what you want your wedding video to look like, you’re ready to start contacting vendors. Find the vendors that have a similar style and meet with them. Talking on the phone is great but meeting them in person is absolutely critical. This will allow you to know what they are like and if you can even get along with them. Also, if you do end up hiring them, you’ll know who and what to expect on your wedding day.

Understand What You’re Getting

During these meetings, make sure to make a list of questions and ask away. Get all the details of what they offer and how the video will be delivered to you. Some Videographers will advertise to shoot in HD but will then deliver your video on a DVD. This is a problem because DVDs aren’t actually in HD. If they advertise to be shooting in High Definition, they should be delivering accordingly. Next, one of the most important things to do while talking these vendors is to watch samples of the films they are selling you. If you are getting their cinematic highlight, make sure you ask to watch one of their previous cinematic highlights. More importantly, if you are purchasing a long form video no matter what they call it, make sure to ask for a sample of that. Most videographers won’t have available on their website and will give you a poorly edited video of all your footage. Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting before making a decision.

Friendliness

Although it may seem trivial, likability is a very important trait to look for in a videographer. It is crucial to pick someone that actually cares about you and your day. This will not only affect what your video will look like, but it will improve your overall experience throughout the day. A friendly videographer will make the day less stressful on you and will be able to capture those authentic moments with you and your spouse.

There are going to be several vendors at your wedding. A DJ, Photographer, Wedding planner and others. It is important that all your vendors have friendly personalities because on your wedding day these people will need to be a team upon meeting for the first time.