How to Locate a Good Local Videographer

Anybody can do an Internet search and find a listing of local videographers. However, a name and phone number tells you nothing about that person's video skills, personality or chemistry with people. Locate a good local videographer the best way by networking and interviewing videographers in person.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Speak to recently married couples. This can be a great way to find a good local videographer for your upcoming shoot. By talking to one videographer, you might get referred to others he knows in the area that specialize in what you need.

2. Ask around. A friend of yours might have just given a deposition in court or had to hire a production crew for a television commercial. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a local videographer and you will quickly find several to interview.

3. Talk to site coordinators. A hotel or convention center that sees a steady flow of event traffic probably has a list of preferred vendors, including videographers. Even if it does not, speak with the site coordinators for these venues because they still may know somebody who is local and good.

4. Check with your local university or film school. You can find skilled students here who are as good as professionals and you can also find educators and instructors who have worked in the field. Locate a school that offers classes in video production and editing and you will locate a number of videographers.

5. Check with local television stations. Their camera people might moonlight at night or on weekends to shoot special events and they will do it with high-quality station equipment.

6. Search local videography associations. Most likely they have a standard of ethics that their members must follow. With many associations, members need to be sponsored by senior members who can vouch for their expertise.

7. Seek professionals in related businesses. A broadcast journalist, for example, will most likely know several camera operators. A wedding photographer probably has worked with many videographers and can recommend the good local ones.

Tips & Warnings

• Word of mouth is the best form of advertising, but don't let it substitute for your own good judgment. Interview more than one videographer in person and ask all the questions you need to in order to determine if she is the right one for your production.
• Beware of hiring well meaning but unskilled family or friends. While this may work for a children's backyard birthday party, most likely your Aunt Sue or Uncle Conrad doesn't have the experience to properly capture your son's college championship football game.