Wedding Cinematographer

As professionals in the event/wedding business, we have heard from brides over and over again that there are a million details to attend to when planning a wedding – and often just as many unexpected costs. Having been privileged to work with some of the best videographers and cinematographers in the nation, we wanted to share an “insiders” perspective on why having a videographer at your wedding is so well worth the investment.

We’ve asked Joanna Banks-Morgan of Sixpence Productions and Celia Hilton of Momentus Films for their unique perspective on why a professional wedding film is a must have, and some tips to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth. Let’s jump right in …

Taking all the other “traditional” wedding expenses into consideration, why is a videographer/cinematographer a worthy investment?

Joanna of Sixpence Productions – When I was a little girl, my grandmother would set up our old Bell & Howell projector in the living room and we would watch old home movies. Sitting in the dark room was like going back in time for me. We would watch things which ranged from my great-grandparents visiting the 1939 World’s Fair in New York to me learning to ride a bike in the next door neighbor’s driveway in 1974. My grandparents would talk about the people in the movies, funny stories and sad stories, but the one thing I remember is being mesmerized by the flickering images on the screen.

Those old movies have all been transferred to DVD now, but they still hold the same pull for me. Pop in one of those DVD’s and suddenly, I’m a little girl sitting in a darkened room listening to the people I love talk about the past. When we produce wedding films, that’s the type of impact I want to create for our couples. I want them to be transported back to a happy time in their lives, warmed by the feelings of love that they have for their family and friends who surrounded them on their wedding day. Apart from photography, a wedding film is the only thing that couples will have after their wedding day to transport them (and future generations) back in time to that moment! It really is about creating a legacy.

Celia of Momentus Films – A wedding film is not only a worthy investment, it’s considered by many of our clients to be the best money they spent on their wedding altogether. Besides photos, a wedding film is the only piece of your wedding that lasts beyond the wedding day itself. Unlike photos, a well produced wedding film viscerally takes you back in time, allowing you to relive the feeling, the sounds, movement, emotion and action you experienced on that day. A film also lets you see and hear what you missed or what blurred past you. Destination couples can also send their film to all those who attended, and share it with those who could not make it. Many of our destination couples show their films at receptions held later on back in their home towns.

Nowadays though, video can also be used to wow guests on the day of the wedding, at the reception, with Same Day edits that recap the day’s highlights to music presented on the big screen. We’ve also produced highly creative concept films in cahoots with our couples ahead of time to surprise their guests with at the reception. For couples who want to share their wedding video live, we also offer live streaming in 1080p, with professional audio, directly to YouTube.

What does the videographer/cinematographer catch on film that the bride and groom might otherwise miss?

Joanna of Sixpence Productions – Oh my goodness, where to start … Rob and I are particularly good at anticipating moments: The grooms mom going in for a long hug after their mother/son dance, the bride’s dad hesitating before he walks her down the aisle, the fidgeting ring bearer who decides it will be more fun to play in the sand at his feet (we do a lot of beach weddings) than listen to the ceremony. That kind of thing we are ready for, but we are also constantly on the lookout for the other “stories” going on around us. Is dad practicing his father/daughter waltz on his own, in the living room, while the girls are upstairs getting ready? Is the bride’s mom getting teary eyed during the father/daughter dance? Is the groom’s grandmother blowing bubbles for the flower girls to keep them entertained? Is the father of the groom searching for the lost yamakas? There are so many things going on during a wedding day that a professional filmmaker can help document. You might not get married every weekend, but we are shooting a wedding every weekend, so we’re ready, and we know what to look for!

Celia of Momentus Films – For the bride, the entire procession before she walks in. What she looks like from the groom’s point of view. Groom prep. The scene of the day. Guests arriving and interaction. The ceremony from various point of view. Savvy brides already know this. But a well done wedding film should not merely document, but exalt the emotions of the day and express the personalities of the couple. Brides who appreciate the difference are the brides we want.

Why choose a professional wedding video instead of something shot by Uncle Al?

Joanna of Sixpence Productions – Have you seen Uncle Al’s videos? We’re not making videos, we’re making wedding films which are meant to become a family legacy. We have the best gear, cameras, audio and lighting. We’re expert storytellers and professionals who know how to interact with your other wedding vendors.

Celia of Momentus Films – Well first of all, Uncle Al is a guest and should be enjoying your wedding. In fact, all your guests should be present and focused on your moment, not in documenting it. Even if you have a guest or family member who is a professional filmmaker, you may not see that film for quite a long time. Editing takes a long time, and because they did you a favor, you’re now beholden to their generosity of getting around to it when they can. Good luck with that one.

In next week’s blog we will discuss what to look for when choosing a wedding filmmaker, and also some professional considerations such as digital rights and working with multiple vendors. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, please visit our contributors and view more of their exceptional work:

Joanna Banks-Morgan of Sixpence Productions has spent most of her 44 years in newsrooms or on sets. The daughter of a journalist and an actor, she was bitten by the producing bug early. She attended Cardiff University’s Journalism, Film, and Television program in Wales and started her career in 1992 with British broadcaster Westcountry Television. Before creating Diva Productions (the predecessor of Sixpence) in 2007 with husband/business partner Robert Banks-Morgan, Joanna worked for CBS 42 KEYE in Austin, Texas where she also attended St. Edward’s University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Communications. Joanna is a regular blogger for the leading event filmmaking industry education group In[Focus]  — and will be leading a break out session on interview techniques at their 2014 event in New Orleans.

 

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Celia Hilton is the founder of Momentus Films, a wedding and event production company that serves the Florida Panhandle. 10 years running, Momentus Films has been the Panhandle’s standard bearer of cinematic filmmaking excellence with a high dedication to customer service and the development of industry relationships. Clients include Visit Pensacola, HarborWalk Village, and the Santa Rosa Educational Foundation, not to mention the hundreds of happy couples who the Momentus team has been blessed to have served over the years. Previous to founding Momentus Films, Celia was an advertising creative director in Dallas, Texas, having received her Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Texas in Austin.