Wedding Photography and Videographers
Is It Possible For Them To Work Well Together?
Wedding Photography and Videographers - Can’t we just get along?
Q.
I was wondering if you could post some info related to this issue:
A.
This is a problem I have encountered many times. I usually find that the wedding couple agrees that the photographer should have precedence over the videographers in my experience. At the time of writing, photographers are "normally" paid more too. Why? I don't know because I also know how much work goes into (4k/aerial) video.
It is always worth confirming this with the wedding couple way before the big day itself.
I also try and speak to the video people before the day or at least on the morning of the wedding. This is to establish a workable system throughout each and every stage of the day. It is why I always do a "reccie" visit about a week before and try to get the Videographers there too.
The biggest problem seems to be during the ceremony and walking down the aisle.
Close In
The video needs to be held fairly close to catch the action. When walking down the aisle videographers cannot always use the zoom feature whilst hand held due to severe camera shake. Unless they use a stabiliser. So again, they need to be fairly close.
I have seen myself in many wedding videos and to be honest it actually adds to the quality of the footage. I guess everyone expects to see a photographer there as they are almost part of the furniture. Plus it usually involves people laughing and joking whilst shots are being set up or taken which looks good.
On the other hand, beautiful still images of a wedding couple doesn’t look so great with a person in the background carrying a cumbersome great video camera over their shoulder.
I have nothing against videographers, in fact I do a bit of video myself. I totally respect the work that they do. However, the photographer has more contact with the couple and guests throughout the day as they need to set up more shots. Video can be a lot more "reportage" and can be shot without much contact (in my experience).
If you can, speak to the videographer/s and make a workable solution and schedule for the day where you both benefit and don’t get under each other's feet.
Edit September 2021: Ok, since writing this I have fully embraced video and all that it entails. For my past few weddings, I have both photographed AND filmed the wedding (including aerials with the drone)!
Yes, it can be done but with a LOT of preparation and hard work. I would seriously suggest having an assistant or two for most weddings if you plan to do this.
The last three weddings have involved 7 cameras, 3 tripods, a bunch of lenses, the drone, audio equipment and a lot more. Great fun and the results are superb!
Please note that for the wedding below, I was only supposed to be photographing the day with one or two aerial clips. As always I went overboard!