What All Goes into Creating a Wedding Film: A Look Behind the Scenes
As a professional wedding videographer, we have the privilege of capturing precious moments for couples to relive for years to come. But have you ever wondered what goes into creating those stunning wedding videos? In this blog, we will delve into the world of professional wedding videography, exploring the equipment, overhead costs, and the creative process that makes each video a work of art.
The Equipment
Cameras: Professional wedding videographers rely on high-quality cameras. We use the Sony A7Siii, as well as their FX (cinema line) cameras. These cameras are known for their exceptional output and low-light performance, which is crucial for capturing events in various lighting conditions.
Lenses: To achieve cinematic shots and capture details, access to multiple high quality lenses is essential. These lenses allow for creative framing, tasteful colors and contrast, and help in achieving the desired depth of field.
Lighting Equipment: Proper lighting can make or break a wedding video. We have filmed in some DARK rooms., and if natural lighting isn’t an option, we bust out the lights and turn the room into what looks like a movie set! This can be a lot of fun for us since we’re able to have full control of the light and make the footage pop!
Audio Recording: Crystal-clear audio is a must in wedding videography. We use several audio recorders and lavalier microphones (lav mics) to capture vows, speeches, and ambient sounds. After all, you’re not hiring me for a music video, right?
Gimbals and Tripods: Stabilization is key to smooth and professional-looking footage. For this, we use gimbals, tripods, and monopods depending on the situation!
Memory Cards and Storage: High-capacity, high-speed memory cards are vital to prevent data loss and ensure uninterrupted shooting. We often fill up 5-6 memory cards with footage, and these cards cost around $200 each!!! Additionally, multiple hard drives are needed for safe data storage and backup. We back up all of your footage to 3 different drives to ensure the safe keeping of your memories!
Music Licensing: Choosing the right music sets the tone for the wedding video. We obtain licenses to use copyrighted music legally.
Editing Software: Post-production is where the magic happens. We use several different programs for color grading, polishing audio, mixing music, and meticulously editing your footage that tells your story.
Overhead Costs
Insurance: Protecting our expensive equipment is crucial. Equipment insurance covers theft, damage, or loss, giving us peace of mind while shooting weddings.
Transportation: Getting to and from wedding venues requires reliable transportation, which includes the costs of fuel, maintenance, etc.
Advertising and Marketing: Attracting clients requires an investment in advertising and marketing efforts, such as a professional website, social media advertising, and attending bridal expos.
Professional Development: We stay up-to-date with the latest videography trends and techniques may involve attending workshops, courses, or purchasing educational materials.
Taxes and Accounting: Managing finances, paying taxes, and keeping accurate records are essential aspects of running a wedding videography business. Aka, the super boring stuff.
Client Meetings and Pre-Production: Time spent meeting with clients, discussing their preferences, and planning the shoot is an overhead cost that often goes unnoticed, but is essential for delivering a tailored experience.
The Creative Process
We go beyond just recording events. We aim to tell a compelling and emotionally resonant story. This involves:
Storyboarding: Planning the shots and sequences that will convey the couple's love story.
Capturing Candid Moments: Emotion-filled candid shots often make the most memorable footage.
Editing Magic: Meticulously selecting and arranging clips, color grading, and adding music to create a cinematic narrative.
Client Collaboration: Working closely with the couple to understand their vision and preferences and incorporating them into the final video.
Professional wedding videography is a blend of artistry, technology, and business. While the upfront investment in equipment and overhead costs can be substantial, the reward lies in creating timeless videos that couples will treasure forever. Beyond the gear and expenses, it's the dedication, passion, and pride in our work that truly makes the difference in showcasing the magic of weddings on film.
