How to Select a Special Event Videographer

As with photography, music, catering and other elements, you need to interview special event videographers before you hire one. Evaluate not only the company's or person's skills and price but also his style, quality and personality. He should be easy to work with and ultimately, his style of video should match what you are looking for.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Find a company that specializes in special events and better still, your type of event. If you are getting married, don't select a corporate or legal videographer when you can get an event videographer that specializes in weddings.

2. View several finished products of the type of event you are having. For your 25th anniversary party or bar mitzvah, look at what the company does to capture the experience and how it is presented.

3. Learn the names of both high-end and low-end equipment. While your videographer's skills are more important than the equipment he uses, you will benefit by knowing some of the industry lingo.

4. Talk to the special event videographers about budget before you select one. Ask how prices are calculated and what is included with your package, how much time for videotaping, how much for editing, any special effects and how many copies of the tape or DVD you will get. Also ask if there are extra charges for using more than one camera.

5. Learn if there are any other fees, such as for mileage or for bringing an assistant, before you select your videographer.

6. Ask questions about the editing (post-production) process. One special event videographer might do all her own editing in-house, while another might send the work out to full-time editors.

7. Find out what the company does in the event of illness or bad weather. You want your special moments recorded for posterity and this won't happen if the videographer doesn't show up to your event.

8. Hire a videographer only after you have negotiated the terms, price and payment schedule. Insist on a contract. You might think you don't need one but a handshake probably won't hold up in court should anything go wrong between you and the videographer.

Tips & Warnings

• If you think you might want the original footage from your event, unedited, ask if it is available for purchase. If not, ask how long they keep it. They may make it available for purchase after a number of years and you could get it then.