How long will the video be?

Each video depends entirely on the individual weddings and generally, the length of the ceremony.  But most videos I have produced have been between 30 and 45 minutes, not counting the extra materials. How many hours will you shoot? I don’t do this by the hour, I work a complete job.  If I am contracted for rehearsal, ceremony and reception I will stay as long as needed at each event to get the very best shots to use in your video. I may not be the last one to leave, but I’m often there for the last dance of the night. 

“Turnaround time” or “Is it ready yet?!?!”

As each video is a unique creation, the exact time it will take for your video to be completed is unpredictable.  Typically the post-production process will take between 4 and 6 weeks.  But your results may vary.  If you have an urgent date that you would like to see the DVD, we can discuss the feasibility (this comes under the heading “money talks…”).

“Why videography”

After “How did I get to this webpage?!?” this is the most frequently asked question and the answer always comes down to personal preference.  But consider that wedding photography has been around for over 160 years and because of that there is a cultural predisposition to have weddings photographed.  People expect it and are used to being herded into a group to say “cheese.”  All your wedding experiences have probably included a photographer but how many weddings have you been at with a videographer?  It’s becoming more common, but it’s still not to the level of photography.  Give video 160 years at weddings and it too will be expected.  Of course by then there will probably be implanted technology that records holograms and includes smell-o-rama…but that’s for another day.

“So fine, we’ll just video tape”

Again, this is personal preference but in my opinion photography brings something to the table that video can’t (and vice versa). Photographers capture exact moments in time.  You can look at a photograph see the emotions and activities of that exact moment.  You have time to reflect within your memories and consider things such as your gown or Uncle Steve’s toupee.   You don’t get that sense of a “moment” with video. 

Videography gives you a context for your emotional memories. Memory is connected to emotions and memories are recalled best when given context.  Video gives you a greater context to summon up the emotions you had throughout the day and you will feel it again. A good wedding video is not just a recording of the events that transpired (“oh, there we go walking down the aisle, oh, I forgot my lines here, oh here’s where we kissed”). 

A good wedding video will get you to remember the feelings you had as well.  And of course, watching little Billy spill his soda on his sister will be good for a laugh even a quarter-century later.In the end it will come down to whether or not you want it.  The videographer will be as inconspicuous as a photographer, and the added cost is balanced by the benefit of reliving these memories 10, 15, 20 years down the road.  So practical considerations aside, will you want to watch a video of your wedding in 10, 15 or even 20 years time?