What do you do when you’re ready to hire a videographer to record your wedding? While it may seem like one of the easiest parts of planning the big day, choosing the right videographer can be quite difficult. To make sure that you hire the right person to capture every important moment of your day, follow these 10 tips for hiring a videographer.
1) Check reviews
In today’s market, you have many options when it comes to hiring a videographer. If you’re looking to hire someone, check their reviews on Google and Yelp first. These reviews are often written by people who used their services, and provide real insight into what to expect during your video production. Be sure to read both positive and negative reviews to get an idea of what others say about them before deciding on one videographer or another. Once you’ve decided on who you want to work with, be sure that they get your script or treatment down before beginning production.
2) Hire someone from your network
Don’t underestimate your personal and professional network when it comes to finding great video production talent. Sure, you can post jobs on sites like Craigslist or LinkedIn, but there’s nothing like knowing someone personally who can provide you with a recommendation. If you’re looking for someone who specializes in short-form videos for social media, ask around at social events and see if anyone you know has worked with one (and would be willing to recommend them).
The same is true if you need someone who focuses on long-form productions; ask around to see if any of your industry connections have already worked with someone they liked and trust—not only will it save you time from looking yourself, but it also gives them an opportunity to help out one of their own.
3) Ask about equipment
When you’re looking to hire a videographer, you want to ensure they have top-of-the-line equipment that will get good footage. Be sure to ask about lens brands, frames per second and camera type (among other things) so you can make an informed decision. Most importantly, don’t choose based on price alone: These days video quality is only as good as your equipment!
4) Ask about editing experience
If you are looking to create a short video to promote your business, consider asking about their editing experience. Also, if you want them to shoot your event or party and edit it into a commercial or an event highlight reel, make sure they can edit in Final Cut Pro (or whatever editing software you intend on using). If not, ask if they have access to that level of software and expertise. Otherwise, hiring someone who knows what they are doing is worth it!
5) Don’t look for cheap prices
Good videography isn’t cheap and hiring someone who charges bottom-dollar is never worth it. You get what you pay for—and you won’t be happy with anything less than quality video. Low prices are also often attached to inexperienced videographers, so even if your budget can’t afford premium pricing, it’s important to make sure that whoever you hire has experience in your field or industry. Make sure they have reviews from past clients and that they have full liability insurance in case something goes wrong during filming.
6) Don’t expect miracles
When you hire a professional videographer, your video is only as good as they are. By that I mean, if you’re after something long and dramatic—like The Notebook or Up—you should probably re-think your approach to hiring. Look for experience: Whether it’s wedding videography or corporate business videos, there’s an art to being able to capture what you want in front of you. Be sure to ask about their experience before you decide whether they’re right for your project. Pay attention to their work: Look at samples of their work and see if it matches up with what you’re looking for.
7) Ask if they charge by the hour or day
This can be super useful, as it lets you know up front if they’re going to charge you extra just because your wedding is longer than average. Also make sure to ask what their minimums are; some videographers will have minimum charges of $1,000 or more and that is money that could be better spent on other things (like food and drink!).
Do your research: Make sure to ask about their sample work so you know exactly what you’re getting. Be aware of copyright laws and make sure your photographer owns or has rights to all of his/her sample work. And don’t be afraid to ask about discounts! Just make sure you can actually get them before dropping hints at your wedding.
8) Don’t fall in love with one video sample
Before hiring your videographer, watch samples of his or her work and make sure you’re comfortable with it. If you don’t have time to sift through sample reels, at least make sure they show off different skills. There are lots of videographers out there who excel at one type of shoot but fall short in others. Make sure you get exactly what you want by knowing what options exist and how much each one costs.
9) Get it in writing
After choosing your videographer, be sure to get it in writing what your videographer’s services will include. Will they provide still photos? Digital copies of your ceremony and reception? DVDs of just certain events like speeches or cake cutting? It might be something that seems insignificant now, but it’s better to know up front so you don’t have any surprises on your wedding day. Getting it in writing makes things easier on both parties too. If you end up hiring them for additional services, it’ll make everything easier if there are no surprises about what is included (or isn’t) in their original contract.
10) Make sure they are insured.
Make sure your videographer is insured. Having an insurance policy ensures that, if something goes wrong on set, you are covered and won’t have to deal with any of the financial or legal issues that may arise. The good news is that most standard film policies cover liability and damages up to $1 million. A business interruption insurance policy will also protect against lost revenue while your business is shut down due to damage caused by an accident during filming, allowing you to get back up and running as quickly as possible after any problems arise.