You Should be in Pictures!

Please introduce yourself to our readers.

I think starting in photography gave me a really unique perspective on film making and how all your vendors come together to make an awesome end product.

Hello everyone! My name is Sarah and I am in my 3rd year of wedding film making and this will be my 5th year in the wedding industry. I started out as a photographer but soon fell in love with the art of video. I think starting in photography gave me a really unique perspective on film making and how all your vendors come together to make an awesome end product. A fun fact about is I'm from the south (NC to be exact), and I've got the most amazing husband and a pretty awesome little dog. Her name is Luna and she was a sick little 6-week old puppy when we adopted her and after some treatment, she's the craziest, fastest, poopin-est little rascal you've ever met!

How did you become a wedding videographer?

There's something so different and unique about videos - the way I capture the audio, the way I can tell a story with the edit, the way I document your day is just so different than photography.

I became a wedding filmmaker by accident. I had a friend who was in a bind and really needed some extra help on a big wedding. I was basically running around and getting lenses for him, bringing him lights, holding reflectors, and other 'grunt work', but then he put a gimbal in my hands and that's it, I was hooked (If you don't know what a gimbal is, it's this rig you put a camera on so you can run around and still get smooth footage). From that moment I knew that film making was my passion. There's something so different and unique about videos - the way I capture the audio, the way I can tell a story with the edit, the way I document your day is just so different than photography. One of my favorite things about your day is actually hanging out with your photographers. The way we all work together to document your day is really special. There's lots of collaboration during your portrait hours as your photographers are posing you for photographs and I'm directing you for video; it really allows us to capture moments we wouldn't naturally capture if the other vendor wasn't there.

How would you describe your style?

I have a documentary/cinematic style to my films. I like to walk a viewer through the day but also liven it up with beautiful composition and upbeat storytelling.

I have a documentary/cinematic style to my films. I like to walk a viewer through the day but also liven it up with beautiful composition and upbeat storytelling. I make every film different for each couple, so there are some weddings where dubstep music really fits the couple because they like to party and laugh, then there are couples who are so happy and emotional on their day that a soaring ballad makes the most sense for them. My films are very music driven, so once I reflect on your day I know the music I want to use and the rest of the films falls into place from the audio I'll use to the clips I piece together.

What are the most common questions that couples ask you at the first introductory appointment?

The most common question I get is, "How does video work?". Video is new to the wedding scene, so most couples don't really know what I do on their wedding day, just that I'm there. I tell my couples that pretty much anywhere their photographer is, I'll be there, too. A video is a little more involved, so I might run out to take some drone footage of the venue or mic up the bride or groom to read a letter, but for the most part, whatever you think a photographer would capture is also what I need to capture as well... but with audio.

What are the typical services/packages offered by wedding videographers?

Typically, a couple can expect a highlight film and a film of the ceremony from any videographer. Some vendors charge for those edits, but I include them in all my packages. Other edits that you can consider are: teaser films, same day edits to play at the reception, reception films, documentary films, RAW footage; anything you can imagine, I can piece together with your footage. Some couples are happy with the ceremony and their highlight film, but a lot of my couples add a teaser and reception film. It all just depends on what you want! Because film making is a service and an art, you get what you pay for. It's not like a product where every vendor is producing the same quality and you just need to find the best price, it's a skilled service (like every vendor at your weddings). I would say the average price in the LA area is $3,000. If you go lower, you're probably hiring someone with less experience, if you go higher you're hiring someone with more experience and the end product will reflect that.

What are the functions of a videographer?

• Our primary function is to video the wedding with great quality and crisp audio. I work very closely with your photographers and DJ to give you the best quality films in the end. With your photographers, we're constantly making you look beautiful and making sure every detail is in place. With your DJ, we're working together to get the best audio from the day.
• My secondary function is to be your friend. I've been a janitor, counselor, I've sewn people into dresses, steamed veils, and help make bouquets.
• In the end, I'm here for you to make your day amazing so if there's an emergency, you can bet I'm helping out.

What are the best tips for weddings videography?

If you're considering having a videographer at your wedding, my #1 tip is to watch the films of the people you want to hire and don't settle for a filmmaker that you don't absolutely love!

If you're considering having a videographer at your wedding, my #1 tip is to watch the films of the people you want to hire and don't settle for a filmmaker that you don't absolutely love! Your videos are the only thing preserving the audio from your day and your video will make your one-day last forever. Another tip is to just let loose on your day. Let the tears flow, drink a little, laugh, party, have fun!

What is the purpose of a pre-wedding video?

The pre-wedding video is a really fun way to announce your engagement and potentially put your save the date out to the public. You can also film your proposal (hint, hint) or talk about your relationship to loop into your wedding film. This adds another level of documentary storytelling to your film. It takes your back to before the wedding and really gets to the heart of why you're getting married in the first place. It's a really special keepsake that you can show your children one day and say, "See, we were young once!"

If you could ask one thing of the grooms and brides that would make your job at their wedding easier, what would it be?

Well, I actually have 2 things!

• One thing is audio is really important for your films. Ask your DJ if they're used to working with videographers because I always plug into their sound system to record audio. This helps both me and your DJ to set this up quickly and results in a great end product.
• My other thing is to carve out 10 minutes during portrait hour for just video work. This really adds a wow factor to your films when I can have a little sliver of time to direct you guys in some really cool cinematic movements.

What does the process look like after the wedding day, and what do couples receive (website link? DVD? USB memory stick?).

After your wedding day is when the real work starts. I spend about 40 hours editing each wedding package (or more if you've added extra edits)! I don't like to rush perfection, but I typically turn around films within a month or two months during the busy season. I deliver my basic film packages digitally for download and social sharing, and packages with add ons get digital files + a physical hard drive in the mail (with cookies!). I keep all your footage and films stored on hard drives for a few years, so if you want an extra edit a year later, you got it.