Should you videotape your wedding?
Imagine what it would be like to watch the story of your parent's, or even your grandparent's wedding. Most couples say their wedding day went by so fast that they could hardly remember everything that happened. Not surprisingly, one of the biggest regrets couples experience after their wedding is their decision not to have professional video. A wedding is full of once-in-a-lifetime moments that should be documented and relived with future generations. Although good photographs capture singular moments, there is simply no substitute for a living, breathing account of one of the most defining events of your life.
Why shouldn't you just have your Uncle Charlie do it for free?
Unless your Uncle Charlie is Steven Spielberg, we can't emphasize enough what a huge difference there is between home video and a professionally produced video. Your friend or relative may have great intentions, but it's very unlikely they have the equipment (professional cameras, wireless microphones, editing gear...) that a professional has. It's also very unlikely they have the know-how or experience to produce a great video. Also, do they have the stamina or readiness to be on top of all the especially important moments? The truth is, you can't just suck reality in through the lens of your camera. To make great video, you must be meticulous in searching out the best angles and experienced enough to anticipate the best moments. Your wedding story is simply too important to leave to chance.
What distinguishes a "high end" video from a "low end" video?
High end videos require no excuses and capture the day's essential moments. The sound is clear and crisp, the images have accurate color and the camerawork is smooth. The pace is quick and captivating, never dragging on longer than necessary. Special effects are content driven, not just used because they "look neat". Mostly, the difference between a well produced, professional video and a low-end job should be obvious by your reaction to it - you either hate it or you love it.
Will bright lights and long cables overpower your wedding?
The last thing we want to do is turn your wedding into a Hollywood production. We use a very discrete setup, involving no cables or overpowering lights. Our cameras do an excellent job of picking up quality images in low-light situations and we use a small light only when absolutely necessary.
How long are our finished videos?
Typically, our finished videos will last no longer than 30-60 minutes. Don't be fooled into thinking a longer video means a better video. Rather, a longer video generally means a lot more fast-forwarding through the boring parts. How many times do you want to relive a reading, how many hours of dancing can you stand to watch? We believe the length of a video should be determined by the value of your content and not by an unwritten rule that says your video should be at least 2 hours long.
James Ryan edits according to the way we've been trained to watch television. All of us know how to "fill in the blanks". We understand that TV and movies compress time for the sake of keeping the action moving and the story compelling. In reality, it's much more difficult to edit in this style than it is to simply "chunk together" long, boring footage.
Why is music so important to your wedding video?
Music sets the tone for your entire video. We've seen wedding videos that rely on the same music over and over again, regardless of the emotional content of the scene. Oftentimes we wonder why so many videographers just assume that everyone's a Kenny G fan. It's more important that the music fits the mood of the occasion, reflecting your personality and enhancing the moment. No matter what your musical taste, you can have a great deal of input as to what music goes into your video.
Watch wedding video!