Wedding Video

Episode #10: Lessons for a shooting wedding video in a large chapel

I was recently at a wedding with a HUGE chapel and will share my insights on how to shoot a wedding video at a large chapel.  Their are challenges at a venue like this but also many similarities between a normal sized wedding chapel.  I’ll discuss what to keep in mind at such a location and walk through how to set up and shoot a great looking wedding video.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:12 — 11.4MB)

Wedding Video

Color Correction

It’s easy when you first start out in the video production field to focus on the simple things like: hitting the record button when you want to start so you get the bride walking down the aisle and hitting the record button a second time when you want to stop so you don’t film your feet for ten minutes.  It’s also easy to think about how to show your client that you are knowledgeable and have experience (even if your only experience is filming Christmas morning for you family).

Once you get settled in to producing wedding videos, you’ll find the importance of color correction.  I always make sure the cameras are white balanced to the correct setting, but at times I notice that when I’m editing, they still need a hint of color correction.  Sometimes worse than others but you can still see a huge difference in the brides dress when you color correct and when you don’t.  It separates the amateurs from the pros.  Most editing programs have some type of color correcting.  Final Cut Express, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, Magix Movie Edit 10, Pinnacle Studio, and Ulead VideoStudio all support color correction in some form.

Original frame but white balanced in camera from a recent wedding

This is a view of the couple without color correction.  Notice how the bride’s dress appears dingy and not crisp and pure white?  If the entire wedding is like this, then you might be able to get away with it but I would never recommend that. The skin tones are also a bit off and appear dirty and not true to life.

Color Corrected frame from a recent wedding

AHHHH…much better.  Doesn’t that look a lot better?

The Bride’s dress look a lot more pure white and the skin tones seem more natural.  This process only took me a few seconds but makes a world of difference.  Most programs allow you to adjust the colors and even let’s you determine what is true white and then adjusts the footage accordingly.

So the next time you shoot a wedding video, make sure you white balance your camera (or you’ll have results worse than those above) and spend the extra time while editing to white balance.  The Product will look better and you will look more professional.

That’s how to Improve Your Video.

Wedding Video

New Toolkit available

I have been working hard the last few weeks to produce a toolkit that will help from start to finish of getting a wedding video to filming the ceremony and reception.

These comprehensive topics will give details on each topic and how to film like a professional. You’ll learn things like:

1)  The Basics of Filming a Wedding
2)  7 Keys to Determine your Pricing
3)  Sample price sheet of how much to charge and what to include
4)  14 ways to market yourself for free
5)  Checklist on meeting with the couple
6)  16 things you should never leave at home when filming a wedding
7)  Checklist on filming the wedding day like a pro.

Find where to get this toolkit by clicking here

This product is great for anyone who wants to learn more, earn more and make the process of filming a wedding video a lot more smooth.  Spread the word.

Wedding Video

Products and Services

The more I meet beginner videographers, the more I realize they have the passion and drive to do a great job filming but they need the information. I would have loved during my first years to have the “secrets of the pros”. I’ve done enough wedding and corporate videos to be able to help beginners raise their level of success to the next level.

What are some products and services I could develop and provide? I would love to have ideas, checklists, documents and other resources available to download both for free and for a fee that would help beginners raise their skills to the next level. One of my first weddings, I somehow missed the bride walking down the aisle. I think I was checking my settings or something. Thankfully I had a second camera set up that got most of it. If I would have had some information from a professional I would have known how to deal with the couple during the meeting, what to expect the day of the wedding, and how to deliver a great project. It took me countless weddings and several years to perfect my craft.

So again….what tips and tricks would you like me to provide that would help you film weddings (or even corporate videos) and take you to the next level? Respond back and I’ll get started ASAP.

Wedding Video

Start it up!

I keep hearing from people how bad the economy is as well as the job market, home market and lending market. From all the reports I would agree, it does look pretty bleak. What if I had a built in market that will never stop and will continue to come back. Sounds pretty good eh?

One of the many things about video production is that their is a built in market. Wedding videos. There are a little over 2.2 million wedding a year…and ya know what? Most of them will want their wedding filmed. They may choose a friend or family member or they may chose a big, expensive company to film their wedding. Either way, you have a market that is reoccurring. No matter what the economy, there will be people that want someone to film the wedding. Doesn’t that sound great. It doesn’t matter if you film weddings full time, part time or are just getting into the “biz”, wedding videography is a great place to be…whatever the market looks like.

Follow me over the coming months as we talk about wedding videography and how to make the most of it. My goal is that you will improve your video, no matter what your current skill and knowledge leve.

Wedding Video

The Biz…gotta love it

I filmed a wedding the other week (not a big deal since I am a videographer) and I again was encouraged by the amount of people wanting to be on camera and asking what I do. They were intrigued by the fact that I own my own company and work when I want and for whom I want. They were impressed by my camera as well as my audio equipment. I always tell people that a great investment is a good looking camera. You don’t have to know how to use each button and feature at first but people will respect you more when you have a decent camera.

I was also reminded of setting up before the wedding so no surprises happen. At the last minute I was asked to put a personal camera on stage. I usually don’t do these last minute things but since I knew some of the people involved in the wedding, I obliged. If I had guessed where everyone was standing, I wouldn’t have put the camera in the right place but since I had done the homework and asked the right people, I knew where to put the camera so it would get great placement.

Just remember, do what you love and keep the dream alive that you can start, run and succeed at owning your own video production company. Even if it’s only on week nights and weekends.

Wedding Video

How to price your video…and make the money you want.

Pricing is the best part of the job. You can literally make what you want to make regardless of where you live. I would say, if you’ve never filmed a wedding, to keep it under $1000 (at least for your first wedding). Search online around your area to see what others are charging. Remember, their will always be “cheap” and “discounted” wedding videographers in the area but they will always stay in those price ranges. Once you set a price and the word gets out, it’s hard to up your fees. The best time to do that is when weddings are slow which is usually around January through February. I have met people who filmed weddings at under $500 and have never been able to raise their rates because they attract the kind of people who will only pay for a $500 wedding video. Your prices reflect your clients pockets. Are they the type of client who will pay anything for the wedding or are scraping by and trying to find the cheapest deal. If you have a couple who complains about your price, remind them that they will be able to watch this forever and you can’t put a price on the memory (don’t get too cheesy or they won’t book you).
If your plan is to get into the market with cheaper prices ALWAYS put the full price (let’s say $800) and give them a 50% discount. That way, if anyone asks you can tell them that you charge $800. Like I said before, it’s hard to bump up your prices once you are labeled a “discount” videographer. Your reputation follows you.
So, it’s up to you…what do you want to make and what type of clients do you want to work with? Look for future posts about finding Clients (which are good) and Grinders (which will waste your life away).