PW Guide Article: Photographer, Videographer, or Both?

Videographers and phtographers get in each other's way at a wedding. Videographers use extremely briight lights that ruin photos by causing them to be overexposed or have harsh shadows. Camera flash looks bad in the video. Videos don't look good in a book or hanging on a wall. Choose one or the other, but never both. Choose carefully, there's a lot riding on it. Quality trumps quantity every time.

I'm a photographer and after shooting two weddings with videographers present, I won't accept a job if the couple is also hiring a videographer. It's not a prejudice against video, just the reality that the two mesh well.

Our photographer and videographer are husband and wife... they say it is very difficult to work together if you aren't planned out well.

That's a good point Butterfly17 - if the videographer and photographer knew each oher and were able to plan things, it could work out better. Unfortunately that is often not the case. Both are going to be try8ing hard to get the best position for the really important shots also and that is distracting for both, especially if they are strangers.

photography is a definite MUST! video i think is important too but doesnt have to be professionally done. you will have the pro photos and if you just make a slide show with the pro photos, you will have a gorgeous video like highlight of all the special moments and details...it's almost the same thing. i think people look at photos more than vidoes. but if you have the budget, can go for it!

we did home video - basically had family/friends do our videos...essentially capture the moments, including getting ready! (my sister took all the shots :P). but beware that the sound quality wont be as good - you can always record over with music, unless you want the original voices (ie. vow exchange)...we are editing our own footage and putting in our own music. if you got the time and have a nice computer, it's doable...

but if you need the professional feel, then gotta pay for it...it all just depends what is important to you what type of media you like.

Just a quick note about video lighting - technology has come such a long way. The statement "Videographers use extremely bright lights that ruin photos by causing them to be overexposed or have harsh shadows" is no longer true. I am a professional videographer, and our cameras allow us to film using only natural lighting. I also make every effort to work in tandem with the photographer - not get in their way. Because the reality is this - we are a team. Whether we've worked together before or not - we are a team. That's why we attend the wedding rehearsal - so that we can map out each other's location, angles, etc. There is just such an absolute benefit to having a video - and I say this with complete bias :) Nothing compares to hearing your husband vow his life to you.... or seeing your grandmother who has passed on enjoying the reception... I could really go on and on. But it's both photography and videography together that makes a complete "memory" package. I don't think it should be one or the other - us vs. them. It should be pictures and video together. Just remember, just like you want a professional doing your photos, you want a professional doing your video. Equipment, experience, and audio and lighting knowledge are not things that your friends and family generally possess. It is a job for a professional.

You all seem well versed  with that stuff,  maybe you can answer my question.  i went to a wedding expo for dj/photo/video  and we were speaking to a photograher who was not available on ou date,  we asked him if he recommend someone else,  he says yes  but they ( the photographer he knows)  are not black!!!  My fiance and I are of african origin but we were kind of shocked about the remark and did not want to pursue it further,  i just assumed that a good photographer is a good photographer. period.  Should we worry about lighting and such,  is there a difference  when it comes down to it?   please enlighten me 

Drjean11 - in answer to your question about lighting in regards to skin tone: yes, there should be some special consideration in that regard if you are of a darker tone. But as you say, a good professional videographer or photographer already understands this regardless of their own skin color :) I am white - very white. I mean like a freakin' lily! My face will show up better in a candle lit room than someone who is very dark. That's just the way lighting works with skin tones.

I'm unsure why the photographer mentioned ethnicity in this case, unless he was concerned about different customs and being in the right place at the right time. In which case, providing a copy of the night's program would be sufficient. But in regards to knowledge of lighting, make sure who you hire knows their stuff, and you won't have a problem.

I am actually doing both. I am lucky to have a brother that has students that do photography and videography. So I am getting both for really less than the price of one. Some might think that I won't get as good of quality, but the photographer I am using is amazing. And I think the independent photographers that do it for fun rather to keep food on the table will make the pictures more fun and carefree. Plus they are usually pretty creative with their photos!

Video is not as important to me, but my dad suggested that I have someone. So, I hired someone to film and edit for about $500. No bad.

GET BOTH!  These are memories you'll always want to remember!