Photographer, Videographer, or Both?

Some couples spend the extra money on both a photographer and videographer, but is it really necessary? (expert advice)

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Capturing the bright smile on your face, glowing skin, and the twinkle in your eyes – a photographer or videographer is hired to make sure you never forget the memories. In some cases, couples opt to spend the extra money to hire both a photographer and videographer, but is it really necessary? Perhaps the following information will help you formulate your own opinions on the pros and cons of both selections:

The Pros of a Wedding Photographer

Choosing a wedding photographer means you will have easy, instantaneous access to the results of your special day – meaning no fumbling to stick the DVD into the player. All you have to do is retrieve your precious photo album and flip through the pages. Your photo album is portable, meaning you can share your memories with family and friends pretty easily. If you like to send emails with images to loved ones, photos are quite easy to transfer from one computer to another. All you really need is a file or a scanner.

A wedding photographer can capture your special day in many different ways, offering a variety of styles, from the traditional group photo that hangs over your fireplace mantle to the artistic approach where touches of color are added to black and white photos.

The Pros of a Wedding Videographer

An increasing number of engaged couples plan the expense of figuring a wedding videographer into their budget because they want a unique memento. However, many brides aren’t too pleased with straying from tradition. For them, a wedding is an intimate event that seems tainted by the presence of cameras, which have a knack for situating themselves in awkward positions. The cost of videography is often more than what a couple expects to pay for this part of the wedding planning.

But, a wedding videographer can freeze special moments in time. You can play your brother-in-law's infamous reception toast over and over again. Seeing the father-daughter dance again could bring a flood of tears. In later years, the video serves as a remembrance of your deceased grandfather during happier times. A wedding videographer can capture the tears, jeers, and laugher in a way that a photo cannot.

Choosing Both a Wedding Photographer and Videographer

If your budget allows it, choosing both a wedding photographer and videographer isn’t such a bad idea. You'll have the best of both worlds – an unforgettable page-turner and the power to stop time, rewind, and play again your special day. It's the traditional approach paired with technological advancements.

Member Comments

940 446 85 38chi

10/14/2009 at 06:25 pm 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.

2 1 2 jwhitten

10/14/2009 at 06:18 pm 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.

1743 166 44 Butterly17

10/14/2009 at 06:13 pm Our photographer and videographer are husband and wife... they say it is very difficult to work together if you aren't planned out well.

2 1 2 jwhitten

10/14/2009 at 06:11 pm 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.