Videography FAQ

How would you describe your working relationship with photographers?

We've worked with many amazing photographers and have a genuine respect for what they do. They are there to capture your wedding day, just as we are. Photographers and videographers both capture images: photographers freeze moments in time while videographers show the progression of events through time, as they unfold, in full motion with sound. Staying out of each other's way, while capturing the events of the day, is tricky, but it is a part of our job. By keeping our eyes open, remaining flexible, and being mindful of their roll at your wedding, we maintain great working relationships with photographers, and are always mindful of any occasion that arises that requires dual coverage from both parties.

How long does it take for you to edit my final video?

This is a very good question and a hard one to answer for several reasons. Our goal is to produce the best video possible for you and we strive to give you the most accurate delivery date for your finished project, but it can take anywhere from one month to six months from the date of your wedding or longer to get you the completed video. Once we've contracted with you we will discuss the timeframe and approximate timeline to completion. The factors influencing delivery are 1.) level of service chosen 2.) number of existing clients ahead of you in our post-production queue - we edit each wedding one at a time in the order in which events are videotaped 3.) the time of year - the later in the year it gets the more clients we have in the post-production queue.

Every video is artistically and thoughtfully edited with great care and each client receives our full attention during the editing process. The result is the most accurate, appealing and aesthetic wedding day video possible. Our standards are very high and the subject matter too precious for us to rush through the editing of any given project and we will never sacrifice the quality of the finished product just for the sake of "getting it done."

There are rules regarding videography at the site of my event that are strictly enforced by the establishment. Have you encountered this before?

Yes. Many establishments have rules governing what a videographer can and can't do. To avoid surprises, it is best to ask your event coordinator or the establishment ahead of time if there are any rules that your videographer will have to account for. We are dually respectful of all rules and sensitive to your desire to have the best video possible and getting this information early will give you the time to consider their wishes and possibly negotiate with them if your wishes are different. Your awareness of the rules we must follow will help us to come up with a solution that will address any challenges and satisfy all parties involved.

How important is it for me to let my family and friends know that my event is being videotaped?

While not essential for everyone to have prior knowledge, it is ideal for the key players at your event (ex. host/ess, immediate family and close friends or highly involved guests) to be aware of our presence and purpose. This awareness has done everything from helping to prevent someone from unintentionally blocking of the camera, to encouraging a loud, clear presentation during a speech. The general knowledge that we are there ensures us opportunities to gather the best footage to use in the final video.

Should I tell you about important events to look out for during the day?

While we have experience enough to know of the typical sequence of the events of the day, there are some things that we just can't know unless you tell us ahead of time. For example, if you know that a friend or relative is going to do something special, like giving a speech, singing a song, or playing an instrument, please let us know as soon as possible. By doing this we can make the necessary arrangements to ensure that we are properly positioned prior to the event taking place.

What is the benefit of having 2 cameras videotaping at my event?

Two cameras offer us the ability to do several things that one camera cannot. Primarily the addition of a second camera allows us to capture two related incidents happening at the same time, in two different places. For example, at a wedding ceremony one camera is with the groom at the front of the church getting footage of him waiting, as well as footage of people arriving and being seated in the pews before the ceremony. Meanwhile, at the back of the church the second camera gets the bride arriving in the limo, coming up the steps with her bridal party and waiting with her parents in the back of the church to walk down the aisle. The other benefit is that of capturing the same event from different angles. An example of this would be during the wedding vows. One camera is focused the face of the bride as she listens and reacts while the second camera captures the face of the groom as he listens and reacts. Additionally, we can also capture events that support the main action, but are not directly that event. An example of this would be one camera capturing someone making a funny comment while the second camera captures the reaction from the crowd listening. These are some if the benefits to having 2 cameras.

Do you have a back up equipment?

Yes, we always carry backup equipment and we have several cameras in the event that a malfunction occurs. However; all electronics, with even the best of care, have parts that can wear out or fail without warning. Although we can never anticipate this happening, we do take the necessary measures to make sure that the downtime is minimal.

Do you use lighting?

Yes, but not without your permission. Before your event we will have a discussion with you about your level of comfort with lighting. Note that while we do use soft filtered lighting, it still must be powerful enough to properly light up a subject within a reasonable distance. Many times we have been faced with lighting challenges because the lights at the venue are dimmed low to create mood, but be aware that when this happens it compromises the quality of the video footage being taped. Without light subjects are dark, grainy blobs in the frame, and that is the case no matter how high-tech your camera is. Nothing but direct, soft light will produce a high quality capture. We will be happy to show you examples of what footage looks like with and without light. If you are comfortable with light, know that we use it sparingly - it is not on the entire time and is used to capture key moments only and turned off right after. If you prefer that we don't use it we will do out best to use the existing lighting.

How do you make sure that we can hear ourselves in the video?

Audio is one of the most important and most challenging aspects of videography and we use top-of-the-line audio equipment to capture the best sound possible in any situation. During ceremonies, we use a powerful "shot-gun" microphone seated on top of the main camera which captures sound expertly. However, this mic has its limitations and when we are in a windy (ocean-side) or a large echo prone environment (like a church or large hall), the best audio is captured when we use a very small and discreet lavaliere microphone which is discreetly attached to the lapel of the groom or an individual close to where the speaking will take place. The closeness of a lavaliere mic to the main action ensures crystal clear audio during those once in a lifetime moments (exchange of rings and vows) and will most-times pick up the speakers even if they are speaking very softly. A distant shot-gun microphone will have trouble capturing whispers and is a definitive second choice solution in these cases. In the past there have been instances where we have been asked not to use the lavaliere microphone and we have complied with our clients' wishes. We always will. But you must be aware that the clarity of the audio will suffer as a result. It simply will not be as good as it could be since it will need to be captured through less appropriate microphones. We want your voices to be rich in tone and clearly audible in your finished video, which is why we h2ly suggest the use of the lavaliere microphone.

Do you "direct" or setup any of the scenes you videotape? Do you conduct "interviews" of guests?

No, absolutely not. This goes against our basic approach to event videography, that real life is unscripted and should be allowed to unfold naturally before the camera. We won't pose you or ask you to act. However, we have had some couples ask us to capture comments and well-wishes from their guests and we have obliged by doing so at such times. The bottom line is that we are working for you. We want you to have the video you envision and if there is something specific you want us to capture, we will capture it for you.