We use the term cinematography specifically to distinguish ourselves from the preconceived impression that 'videography' creates. We don't care one bit about the technical film world definitions. We care about how a prospective bride is going to react to work and our branding, and that includes what terminology we use. So for us, based on the type of work we are doing, we like the term cinematography.

Besides, 'videography' is such an awkward word .... d;-)

(in all seriousness, though, call yourself whatever you want)

By the way, I just read earlier in this thread that we should call ourselves 'videographers' because that's what everyone else is calling us. Fail. Why should we let others define us?

I'll have you know that I just recently convinced a national bridal blog to switch from using the term 'videography' to using the term 'cinematography'. There's no reason we HAVE to hang onto a term if we don't like it.

Definitely bro. Epic Fail.

I'm over trying to discuss with those who are so stuck and convinced that videographers is what we should call ourselves, technical terms aside. They'll never think differently, which is fine, so I just let people be. I really think that there will be a division and brides will start to realize the difference is NOT just in the term but also in the work. It may take a few more years for it to catch on, but better to be ahead of the curve than trying to catch up ;).

In the words of another artist (haha) :

What am I doin'? What am I doin'?
Oh, yeah, that’s right, I’m doin’ me
I’m doin me

;)

Cheers to all the videographers, cinematographers, visual artists, video producers, "videotographers", and everyone in between. Have a great week.

... and wannabes! ;)

Believe it or not this discussion about the term 'videographer' has been going on since the 80's when the term was first coined. At that time, when amateur/semi professional video equipment was becoming affordably available there was no real name to describe the person who used it 'professionally'. In a pre-echo of these discussions now, those using the then new technology for 'serious' work didn't want to be associated with amateur Super 8 'Film Makers' and the connotation of randomness, badly focussed, poorly exposed home movies; 'one man band' video production was in its infancy

In an attempt to mark out users as serious, creative, business people, akin to photographers, the prefix 'photo' was swapped for 'video'. It was never really popular, as it sounded ugly and at that time slightly pretentious, but no one has really come up with something as recognisably descriptive and understandable to those outside of the business.

Now all those years on I can see that those of you who are carving out a new direction in timebased media (a term that was used for video a few years back) want to be disassociated from the connotations that you have with 'old school' video, and I don't blame you.

One thing I would point out though is that in a business sense it's not what you call yourself that's important but what your potential customers will think of you as. I've just made quick check on most used keywords when searching for wedding video, film, DVD services on Google. Videography is top, then Wedding videographer, I'm afraid that Cinematographer doesn't appear anywhere. I know that those at the top end of this business will not be relying on Google searches to draw business but others may have a long struggle to get the term videography out of the minds of the general public.

Great insight, George. Most of my business is thru referral and thru the search term cinematography but I definitely understand business and SEO wise the need to be relatable to what people are "looking for" if most of your revenue comes from video search terms. Thanks for sharing!

It's a very simple matter to find what keywords are being used to find your site using Google Analytics. If I use the word cinematography in my name and throughout the text on my website and brides are searching for "wedding video" or "videographer", I'm just shooting myself in the foot if I want to be ranked high in search engines. So, much to my dismay, I feel the need to talk about wedding videography in my website and blog to increase "keyword density."

Great discussion so far. I guess the answer to the OP's question is whatever works for you in terms of branding your business. For me as long as I get my bookings, deliver a professional product at the end of the day that is all that matters.

There's always a Ying and Yang in the universe, the wedding photographers discussion now a days is should you call yourselves Photo Journalist because you only shoot candid shots? Somehow this discussion is similar to this.

Most wedding planners calls me the Video Guy,

" Are you the video guy?"
"Yes I am. Do you have the check for the video guy"
" Yes. "

For me that is all that matters.

And besides when the Bride & Groom does their speech they always say, I would like to thank our photographer & videographer who has been with us since this morning...., not I would like to thank our Photo Journalistic photographer & Our wedding cinematographer.

PS. This is not unique to our business. Rachel Ray has been accused of not properly dicing onions, carrots , etc by the Cordon Blue educated Chefs. But she makes millions more than the chefs. " I never claimed to be a Chef, just a home maker who loves to cook". Which one would you rather be? Walmart or Harrods?

My 2 cents.

Travis, the problem is that many videographers are starting to call themselves cinematographers just because they shoot with a DSLR. It won't take long for the word "cinematographer" to become watered down.

How about DSLRtist, or DSLRtographer.

How about "Compact Flashographer"

And when cinematographer becomes watered-down and no longer applies to our studio the way I want it to, I will start using something else. Those who stay in one place don't usually get ahead.

Not to be contradictory, but I actually HAVE had several brides use this term while thanking us. I've even had a few brides who took it upon themselves to correct family members on the day of the wedding on our behalf. I understand this might not be the case for everyone, but if you make a point of things with your couples they WILL remember and it WILL have an impact.

Noel hits a couple great points:

#1 - I don't care WHAT you call me, just CALL me... or "pay" me for my service/talent.

#2 - As noted, there are two "styles" generally in photography when you read discussions on the topic - photojournalist or "casual" and "formal". I don't know that these are anythng other than labels to try to define and differentiate.

When it comes to "video", you also see two "styles", mirroring the photography to some degree. You often see "documentary" and "cinematic" used to describe a shooting/editing style. I lean towards "documenting", but am inspired by the cinematic creations, and at least experiment with various forms/formats...


Travis makes the point of defining and differentiating YOUR shooting style and technique and marketing THAT, not trying to be something or someone else.

The "fusion" of stills and video more and more presents a challenge in trying to define exactly what "media assets" you will be providing - and how they will be delivered... I think more and more brides are taking their "wedding albums" around with them on an iPad or iPhone and showing off (as brides should do!) that way to all their friends. OR, posting on Facebook... You want to tell them they need a heavy leather-bound album and a videotape, 'cause "that's how you roll"? Or maybe it'd be wiser to make sure your "deliverables" are in accessable formats for whatever is "hip"...

Point being that I doubt many of us want to deliver video on a VHS cassette (UGH), or shoot on a Hi8 camera, nor do we edit on a Pentium II - times they are a changin', as the saying goes.


WHATEVER term we use to describe what we do...

Goal #1 is to create and deliver a product/service with a sustainable business model/profit.

Goal #2 is to try to stay current/"trendy" enough to not get left behind the technology wave or be wiped out by the democratization/commoditization of "the technology" or "the product".

Lots of places sell burgers, from McDonalds to "?" (insert favorite fancy burger joint here), with varying prices, qualities, and business models, and they do it successfully. Or you can make your own burger at home. Replace "burger" with "wedding video", figure out what is UNIQUE (Google "USP") about what you offer, and promote it, whatever you decide to call yourself...


We could always just call ourselves "wedding movie makers"... not pretentious, but a tribute to the "movies"!