Weddings/Events

Top Questions From A Professional Wedding Videographer

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A Wedding Videographer Shares His FAQs + Advice For Couples

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Photo by: Anchor Pictures

Welcome back, friends! Today, we’re chatting with Anchor Pictures, one of our favorite videographer teams. We’ve had the pleasure of working with Anchor Pictures for some incredible events like this summer vineyard wedding, this lavender themed wedding at Calamigos Ranch, and this private estate wedding in Montecito! Mason of Anchor Pictures was kind enough to share with us some of the top questions he is asked as a wedding videographer + the advice he has for couples looking to book!

Video by: Anchor Pictures

Do you provide raw footage?

We get asked this question a lot by couples looking to book with us. It’s completely understandable to want all of the footage captured on your day. We provide this for an additional fee, however, with the finished videos you receive, we don’t really think having raw footage is necessary. In addition to a Highlight Film, our couples receive an Extended Film that includes their First Look, Ceremony, Cocktail, Introductions, Dances, Speeches, and any other major events edited together. So rather than receiving a ton of raw footage that you probably will never use, you’re receiving most of the footage we’ve shot edited together into a viewable video.

Do you record audio throughout the day and if so, how?

We record audio throughout the wedding day using microphones on our cameras as well as specifically placed recorders and lav mics throughout the major events. During events such as First Look, Ceremony, Ketubah Signings, and Reception, we have a mic on the couple and/or plug into the available sound systems to capture high quality music and speaking.

Video by: Anchor Pictures

Do you offer drone filming?

We definitely include drone filming in many of our packages. I am a certified drone pilot and often arrive early to the wedding venue/locations to capture footage from the air. We can only provide this in locations/venues where it is permitted. There are certain no fly zones which prevent us from flying legally and safely. If a videographer provides this service, they should be able to verify the legality in your specific location.

Can we select the music for our wedding highlight?

Some couples have specific music in mind that they would like in their Highlight edit while others trust us to pick something. This process varies by couple, but we work to make sure each couple is happy with the music used. We try to use royalty free music options when possible. If a couple has a more well-known rights-managed song that they prefer, we have to keep their video password protected for copy right purposes.

Video by: Anchor Pictures

When do we receive our finished video?

Our standard turnaround time for completing wedding edits is 8 weeks. At the time, couples receive a link to view both their Highlight Film and Extended edit. Some couples have an Instagram teaser included with their package. In this case, the teaser edit is delivered one week after the wedding.

How long have you been shooting weddings?

This is a great question for potential videographers. How long they’ve been filming and/or the number of weddings they’ve shot really give you a sense of their experience. We’ve been shooting weddings together since 2010 and have shot approximately 250 weddings and events.

Video by: Anchor Pictures

Important things to keep in mind when booking a wedding videographer:

Explore their work

It is so important to really get a sense of a videographer’s body of work prior to booking with them. Have you watched several of their wedding films to get a sense of their quality and style across multiple weddings? Each wedding is so different and being sure they can film in a dark church as well as can they film on a beach is crucial to making sure they film your day well. Seeing one video or a few posts on social media doesn’t give you a full picture of their product.

Get to know them

I recommend scheduling a call with your potential videographer prior to booking with them. It’s important to get a feel for who they are and if you jive well with their personality and approach.

Ask who will be filming

Many videography companies, especially ones that are more affordable, can’t guarantee a specific person to be filming your day. Ask about their team and if they can tell you who will be capturing your day and what their level of experience is.

Ask who will be editing

Sometimes it’s hard for videographers to keep up with editing so they have to find other individuals or editing companies to help. If your videographer outsources their editing work, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. It just means they have to be able to guarantee that your edits will match the style and quality of samples you’ve seen.

Communicate your expectations

If you have specific things you’re looking for in a wedding video or specific moments that are special to you on your wedding day, be sure to express that to your videographer. Generally, videographers film everything on your day, but knowing what your expectations are ahead of time, helps steer our creativity and intention while filming.

Thanks for being here, friends! And huge thanks to Mason of Anchor Pictures for letting us pick his brain! We sure hope this vendor series has been helpful to you! If you missed last week, we collaborated with top wedding photographers to get their insights to the planning process! If you’re ready to start planning your big day, contact me on my homepage here and let’s chat!

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LATTE OBSESSED, CHRONIC OVERACHIEVER, OUTDOOR GIRL, SUCKER FOR LIVE MUSIC, DONUT FANATIC, LIFE LONG GREY'S ANATOMY FAN + DOG MOM. 

Expert Party Planner, Photographer, and Creative Entrepreneur.

I'm a creative entrepreneur at heart and have been running my business for over 10 years and have planned and executed over 150 weddings. I'm an expert in this industry and care deeply about my clients and making sure they have the best experience. I've also been a photographer for 15 years and have curated some amazing art pieces to spark joy in your life and in your spaces. 

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