Mizera Digital Video

I believe there are still many couples out there that see a wedding video as an extravagance.  Ironically, some of these same couples will spend a substantial sum on a wedding cake, flowers, custom napkins, or any of a number of other items that will be gone after the reception is over.

Not to say that there’s anything wrong with this at all.  The work of photographers and videographers often get much more scrutiny.  Yet, the recorded images  will last for many years to come.  One problem is that most couples have no frame of reference, as it’s their first wedding.  Often this is made worse by the confusing choice of different packages, questions of standard vs. high-definition, and more.

It’s amazing how technology has advanced over the years. When I was young, live video broadcasting, available to anyone in the country, required a television network. Now, you can offer video to the entire world, for next to nothing. In fact, the cost of the streaming itself, can be had for free. There are however a catch or two as you might imagine.

First of all, your wedding location is a primary factor. If no internet access is available at your wedding venue, wireless access via a cellular network is the next best option. This is widely available, but as you move farther from the nearest interstate corridor, the signals can get weaker. Coverage varies by provider as well.

Most of you have probably experienced the blocky and choppy online videos, that aren’t much larger than a postage stamp. Now, full screen video, even high definition streaming video, is almost commonplace. On the more affordable end, the quality is a little closer to the former. It’s not quite that bad, but it’s not high def. As you might imagine, the good stuff costs more.

I’ll bet most of you who have watched online video have encountered a problem or two. Maybe you were even unable to watch a video, then on your next try, it played just fine. If you do choose to stream your wedding, you should prepare your viewers, especially older viewers, that this technology has it’s flaws. It’s always possible that the video might stop playing, or not play at all. If all goes well however, you might just be able to share the most important moment of your life with someone who would otherwise miss the opportunity.

Wedding Photographers Camera

First of all, we do recommend that you have both a professional photographer and a videographer at your wedding.   Those on a short budget might be tempted to cut one or the other.  We’d suggest cutting elsewhere, such as a few less flowers, perhaps smaller place settings, or some other cost saving measure.  Your video and your photos will be among the few items that last beyond the end of your reception.

We’ve done many weddings, and nearly all with one or more professional photographers.  In almost every case, the working environment was a positive experience for all involved.  We always introduce ourselves to the photographer(s) before the events of the day begin.  Our placement of the cameras for the ceremony is shared, and sometimes changed if it serves to better capture the event for all involved.  Almost every photographer we have worked with has been more than receptive and respectful, some to an extreme.  A few however have been quite the opposite.

During a recent ceremony, a photographer actually stood in the aisle for almost five minutes, completely blocking a cameras view of the ring exchange.  Fortunately, our second camera was able to capture the action.  Thankfully, this situation is not common.  Most photographers would kneel, or step into the shot, take the photo, and then step aside.  The photographer mentioned above continued to block shots throughout the evening, in spite of the fact that both of our operators worked hard to stay out of their way.  In a previous experience, one photographer actually told me,  “I hate videographers!”  Apparently, he had a bad experience with a video camera operator that showed him a lack of consideration.  Fortunately, we mostly won him over by the end of the evening.

You may wonder what you can do to avoid this.  When interviewing photographers, ask them if they’ve worked with videographers in the past, and if they have any working with one at your wedding.  Hesitation here might be a trouble sign.  A claim that you don’t even need a videographer is also a possible cause of concern.  There is no reason that multiple camera operators, both still and video, can’t work together successfully.  Your most experienced photographers will not show any hesitation, as they have no doubt done countless weddings with video camera operators.