WEDDING VIDEO. QUESTION TO ASK THE VIDEOGRAPHER

When you are looking for a wedding videographer, there are a few questions you need to be asking. These questions are important and will help set a side the professionals from the fly by nighters. These question are not in any order.
1. Will you be the primary videographer at my wedding? If not when can I meet them?
(This is one of the more important questions. If you are talking to the videographer about what you want , ideas you have, the style you are looking for, you don't want a different videographer showing up at you wedding.)

2. Are you a full-time Videographer?
(This will help separate the hobbyist from the professionals. Not that hobbyist do a bad job, I have seen some that are better then the professionals, but on the same hand those that do this full time have done it all and seen it all. They know how to react to certain situations, and in most cases they have better and current equipment, and backups incase things go wrong.)

3. How long have you been a Wedding Videographer?

4. How do you stay up to date in your field?

5. How many weddings have you done?

6. Is this your recent work?
( Looking at recent work is important, however if you can see a wedding that is similar to yours or the style you are looking for then this will be beneficial in your selection. An example is if your wedding is outdoors ask to see a wedding video that took place outdoors)

7. Is this a full video or just a Demo?
(Looking at demos are ok in the beginning but when you are narrowing down your choices, you are going to want to see a full video. Demos can be done up to look great and mistake free, the full video will give you a better look at the work they do.)

8. What is your criteria for choosing what you videotape at my wedding?
( Don't hesitate to talk about your ideas. Example "Will you video the guest as they enter the ceremony?" making suggestion will give you a better idea of how flexible your videographer is. Talk over any ideas you have, they may already cover those shots but asking or telling them what shots you want is important. This is your wedding and your video.)

9. What style(s) do you offer? Example Photojournlistic, Documentary, etc..

11. Can we choose our own music?

12. What kind of cameras do you use?
(This is important and not important. Confused? Cameras don't make the video, it is the creative talent behind the camera. A great Videographer can take any camera and make a great video. However that being said, you really want to look for camera's that have 3ccds. From there a single chip digital video camera. Stay away from Hi- 8 or Vhs-c. The Cameras with the 3ccd's will give you the best quality picture, assuming the camera operator know what they are doing.)

13. How many camera will cover our wedding?
(Again this is and isn't important. A great Videographer can cover your event with one camera. However to have two or three camera's at your ceremony will give you better angles and will ultimately make a better video. Although it is your choice you really don't need more then three cameras.)

14. How many people cover the event?

15. Do you bring back up equipment?

16. Do you use wireless mics?

17. What equipment do you use for editing?
(This is another important, not important question. The editing software that is used by your videographer, is really a personal choice.)

18. What time do you arrive to set up your equipment?

19. How many hours of service do you cover? If it goes over is there an extra charge?

20. Do you do interviews with our guest?

21. Do you provide a contract and guarantee?

22. Can we get the original footage?
(This is only if you want it.)

23. How long does it take to get our DVD?

24. Is there a deposit? How much? When is it due?

25. When is the final payment due?

26. Are there any additional charges?
(This is an important question. Do they charge for mileage and how much? Is there a charge for extras like motion menus, DVD cases, titles, credits? This is something to look out for. A great videographer won't charge for all of this. Motion menus, titles and credits should be standard. Along with DVD cases and inserts. If you are being charged extra for this, ask why?. Travel charges do very.)

27. What makes your videography better or different from anybody else?

28. Why should we hire you for our video needs?
(These questions are kind of the same. Just incase you don't get the answer you are looking for this is a good follow up question. Another question that will give you an idea of who your videographer is ask "Why they chose to wedding Videography for a career?")

29. Last. This question is for you. Has the videographer answered and addressed your personal concerns satisfactorily?

Remember this is your Day you have worked hard in the planning. Make sure you find the videographer that fits you best. That can deliver you a DVD of your wedding the way you want it. You should feel comfortable with who you choose. Comfortable to the point that you can move on to the next project and not worry about this one any more. If you have any other questions you think we missed let me know and we will include them.