Tips on Filming a Wedding
Some couples hire videographers to take videos of all aspects of the wedding that can be put together as a wedding video that allows the couple to watch their special day over again. If you are videotaping a wedding, though, you need to ensure you get all the shots and offer a high-quality video for the couple. Unlike a photographer who may get more than one opportunity for the same shot, a videographer only gets one chance.
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Equipment
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Choosing the right camera for shooting a wedding video is important. If the wedding takes place indoors, you will need a camera with a lower LUX rating, which refers to the camera's sensitivity, due to the lower light levels. An outdoor wedding requires higher LUX-rated cameras. A wireless microphone can also help to enhance the sound quality of your video, especially if you are positioned farther away from the couple when they are speaking. Outdoor weddings will also likely require filters for your lenses to help control the natural lighting outdoors.
Preparation
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Going into a wedding without a plan can be disastrous for a wedding videographer. Therefore, it is important to scope out the locations ahead of time. Attend the wedding rehearsal where the couple will go through a mock-up of the real wedding. Check out the ceremony location and plan where you should stand to get the best shots of each part of the wedding. Scope out the reception location as well, so you are familiar with the set-up. You can alter your plan, if necessary, but it is always best to have one to work with.
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Ceremony
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During the ceremony, it may be tempting to choose one location and stick to it, especially if you are afraid of missing important parts of the ceremony. One thing you can do to avoid missing parts of the ceremony while you move around is to set up a stationary camera in an unobstructed location to shoot the wedding straight through. You can edit pieces of the stationary video between other parts of the video to avoid missing anything. For your moving shots, choose the best location for each shot. For instance, when the bride walks down the aisle, choose a position near the side of the church so you can see the front of the bride, but can also pan to the groom and his reaction. Ceremony shots can be done from the back of the venue or from the side near the front. Avoid blocking anyone's view when shooting the wedding.
Reception
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The reception often offers easier work for the videographer because there is so much going on so it's not as important to capture every single moment, though you still need to capture special moments such as the special dances, garter and bouquet toss, toasts and other special requests from the couple. As the videographer at a wedding reception, it is important to mingle and get shots of the crowd from all angles. You don't need to focus on the couple or bridal party unless the specific activity requires it. At the reception, you can even get the guests to interact with the camera to create special memories for the couple.
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References
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Valueline/Getty Images
