The future of wedding video

[James Manford]

Originally Posted by Steven Davis

Yep, that line in my agreement is something that always gets questions. Now I have a good example of why.

Just done a wedding this weekend an Indian one infact ... chaotic is an understatement. The brides brother (who hired me) told me if any one gets in the way, to basically demand that they move, to raise my voice if I have too !!!

What do you say to that when you've basically been given permission to do what ever it takes to get the shots!?

[Kelly Huffaker]

I read this post and immediately thought of this video!

Vertical Video Syndrome - A PSA - YouTube

[Denis Potasnikov]

Originally Posted by James Manford

As long as people are materialistic, the need for videographers shall remain.

People want to show they've spent money on their wedding, and what better way to show this by having a guy turn up with a big camera.

But I do agree, smart phones and consumer cameras can provide top quality footage if they are handled by the right person.

But will that ever happen? which brother, sister, cousin, relative or any family or friend wants to attend the wedding to WORK ... when they can kick back and enjoy themselves and have a paid professional do the job. It doesn't make sense.

What I do know is the need to provide top quality work has increased more than before ... you can't get away providing poor footage especially if another enthusiastic party at the event manages to capture something better than the paid professional.

This is totally true. Couldn't agree more. Thanks. And whew, what a relief :)

[Nigel Barker]

Originally Posted by James Manford

Just done a wedding this weekend an Indian one infact ... chaotic is an understatement. The brides brother (who hired me) told me if any one gets in the way, to basically demand that they move, to raise my voice if I have too !!!

What do you say to that when you've basically been given permission to do what ever it takes to get the shots!?

In my experience Indian weddings have the most video friendly guests always happy to move or even call you over for good shots. The first Indian wedding that I filmed as second shooter to an Indian colleague of mine I was amazed when he had us line up three tripods in a row between the guests & the mandap where the ceremony is held. We got great shots but most guests had an obstructed view but nobody complained

[James Manford]

Originally Posted by Nigel Barker

In my experience Indian weddings have the most video friendly guests always happy to move or even call you over for good shots. The first Indian wedding that I filmed as second shooter to an Indian colleague of mine I was amazed when he had us line up three tripods in a row between the guests & the mandap where the ceremony is held. We got great shots but most guests had an obstructed view but nobody complained

I make it sound like ALL indian weddings are the same.

It was just this specific family ... the extended family anyway.

[Roger Gunkel]

I'm not sure why people are worried about the threat to wedding videographers from guest filming, after all good quality still cameras have been around for 150 years and I don't see any shortage of wedding photographers :-)

Roger

[Robert Bale]

Hi, I would like to add my comment to this, I am so busy with weddings, we work every weekend and I see more and more family friends doing the photos (not a professional) and we the videographers are in charge on the day, feels good, now I have done this for just under 10 years now. What I think we need to do is tell couples that there are no phone and video taping during the ceremony. (We do it at dance concerts) Gee it is 20mins, they should put there phones away., sit back and enjoy what's happening. Next, it's time to move to Hd USB drivers and social media, I have had people want the footage uploaded to the net so the family on the other side of the world can download it of watch it on Vimeo. Last we are now looking at live streaming , lets see the dslr boys try streaming a ceremony live, at least with a real professional camera that can be done., Real Wedding videographers are here to stay!!!!!'

[Chris Harding]

Hi Rob

Already happens over here. At our main Anglican Cathedral the priest announces that there is an official videographer and photographer during the services so guests can put away they cameras as pics/video by guests during the ceremony is forbidden.

It is a step in the right direction!! With one wedding (another Church) we had some wannbe guy with a tripod and Canon 5D actually pushing the photog and myself out of the way to get a prime position...that was until we joined forces and moved him on!!

Let the people who are being paid to do the job, do it ...all celebrants/ priests should actually announce that before the ceremony begins

Chris

[John Wiley]

Originally Posted by Robert Bale

What I think we need to do is tell couples that there are no phone and video taping during the ceremony. (We do it at dance concerts)

Originally Posted by Chris Harding

At our main Anglican Cathedral the priest announces that there is an official videographer and photographer during the services so guests can put away they cameras as pics/video by guests during the ceremony is forbidden.
Chris

Robert, I think the big difference between weddings and concerts is that with concerts you have a strong legal grounding to stand on. You can say "sorry, copyright does not allow it" (of course you can only say this if you yourself are properly licensed through APRA/AMCOS or whatever your regional performance rights licensing body is). Same goes when I get requests from couples to put videos up online - "sorry, I can't license the music for web use so it would be illegal."

With weddings, particularly those in public spaces, you really have no true authority. You can ask the couple to relay your request to guests, but you still have to rely on the guests to have the common courtesy to follow both your requests, and the brides requests.

Of course, as Chris points out, it's a different story in churches where a priest will often request no photos or video be taken. You'd have to be a pretty obnoxious guest to disobey a priest in his own church!

[Robert Bale]

So may me i have something like this read out. (Feel free to re word it)

Please at the request of the Bride and Groom can you not take photographs as the Bridal Party enter and also at the End as they are walking out. They have asked if you can keep the Isle Clear, leaving room for the professional Photographer and Videographer.

[Steven Davis]

Originally Posted by Kelly Huffaker

I read this post and immediately thought of this video!

Vertical Video Syndrome - A PSA - YouTube

Ha, thanks I needed that laugh.

[Waldemar Winkler]

I'm so happy I retired from wedding video!