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Month: April 2023

Do I really need a videographer if I have a good photographer?

Q: Do I really need a videographer if I have a good photographer?

VIDEO SUMMARY

It. Here’s a better question if I have a videographer, should I hire. It? Here’s a better question if I have a videographer, should I hire? Hire a good photographer. I’m Jason Monroe. I own and operate highway 61 Films. We’ve been making wedding films in Chicago since 2009. I think a videographer can be just as important, if not more important than a photographer, because it allows for things that photos can’t recreate, such as seeing yourself walk down the aisle, hearing your speeches and toasts from your family members, and bridal party during the reception, hearing your vows again, that’s hugely important. Hearing letter readings from getting ready moments, having all of that wrapped up in a cinematic way. With music, there’s a lot of emotion. Just as like with watching a film, it can kind of help you relive your day in a way that looking through photos can’t do. So I think it’s ultimately even more important than photography in some ways. Hire a good photographer. I’m Jason Monroe. I own and operate highway 61 Films. We’ve been making wedding films in Chicago since 2009. I think a videographer can be just as important, if not more important than a photographer because it allows for things that photos can’t recreate, such as seeing yourself walk down the aisle, hearing your speeches and toasts from your family members, and bridal party during the reception, hearing your vows again, that’s hugely important. Hearing letter readings from getting ready moments, having all of that wrapped up in a cinematic way with music, there’s a lot of emotion. Just as like with watching a film, it can kind of help you relive your day in a way that looking through photos can’t do. So I think it’s ultimately even more important than photography in some ways.

How late does the photographer need to stay?

Q: How late does the photographer need to stay?

VIDEO SUMMARY

Open dance floor photos can get repetitive, let’s be honest, sloppy. My name is Kelsey. I am the owner and lead photographer of Capture by Kelsey, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As far as how late you want your photographer to stay into the night, unless you are doing some sort of grand exit like you have a vintage car showing up to take you away at the end of the night or if you are going to a different venue for some sort of after party that you’re really excited about that you want your photographer to go to, I would say that honestly, you only need your photographer to stay until half an hour into open dance floor. After that, you’re going to get pictures of the same people doing the same things and getting more and more inebriated. The one other caveat I will put to that is sunset. If sunset photos are really important to you and you are having a summer wedding where the sun sets late and you’re actually going to be kind of sneaking away from your dance floor to go do some sunset photos, then then have your photographer stay for sunset and then send them off.

What items should I have ready for my photographer when they arrive?

Q: What items should I have ready for my photographer when they arrive?

VIDEO SUMMARY

So for your details, photos or pictures of your stuff, I would like for you to assemble everything that you put time or money or energy into, especially items that you’re going to wear on your person. So this is your dress, your shoes, your veil, your hairpiece, any accessories you’re going to wear, your robe, your slippers, all three rings, grooms and the brides, engagement and wedding band. Two copies of your invitation, especially if it is if any of the parts of it are printed on both sides, I need two copies so I can get one of each of those sides. Any styling blooms, if you have requested those from your florist or your florist has offered those, all of that stuff, if that can be ready first thing in the morning. When I show up, the first thing I want to do is say hi and let everyone get used to me while I’m not taking photos of their faces without makeup on. So I’m going to start with the stuff and don’t worry about where it is or what it looks like, because I’m going to style it for you. But if you can make me a pile so I know all of the things that I’m working with, and I don’t have someone come up to me at 04:00 p.m. And say, oh, here’s the invitation, because then the light’s about to be gone and I may not have time to get those important details.

I don’t like my arms in photos, what can I do?

Q: I don’t like my arms in photos, what can I do?

answers:

1 Videos
VIDEO SUMMARY

First of all, realize that you’re not alone. The fact that this question is on here means we’ve been asked this about arms by some huge percentage of clients. Kind of. Everybody hates their arms. Robin solely right. Using the veil to cover long hairstyles where your hair can be in front of your arms in pictures. Super handy. Um, I don’t want you to in your head about this, but you can. Part of it is just not squishing your arm up against your side. It’s like letting it hang more delicately. Also, whatever’s closest to the camera appears bigger, whereas what’s further away. So your photographer can totally pose you like this, and that makes a big difference. But it’s not going to be every single picture, and it’s not going to be every single picture that is. Candid the first place to start thinking about arms is with your dress. So if you try on your dress and you love everything about your dress but you’re like my arms, your photographer can only do so much. Start with your dress maker or your tailor, and if there’s some kind of overlay, there’s a lot of sleeve apparatus things that are happening these days. And get to where you like the way your arms look in the mirror at your dress fitting, or at least you don’t hate them. And then as a photographer, we will take it the rest of the way for.

If a wedding genie suddenly appeared and gave your couple $5,000 for something special on their wedding- would you recommend spending it on fun late night food or elaborate welcome bags for their guests? Why?

Q: If a wedding genie suddenly appeared and gave your couple $5,000 for something special on their wedding- would you recommend spending it on fun late night food or elaborate welcome bags for their guests? Why?

VIDEO SUMMARY

There are only two things that can make you less drunk.

Oh wedding genie. Where are you? I mean, if there was a wedding genie, we are going with a late night snack.

My recommendation and from what I’ve heard from my couples, is videographer.

In my personal opinion, I would go with experiences over things.

1,000% late night snacks. And this actually comes from my years having been a bartender, as was my 14 years as a wedding photographer.

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Ready to answer our couple’s burning questions?

Here are some tips and tricks to film a great video that stops the scroll:

1

Start with a hook.

You’ve got 3-5 seconds to stop the viewer’s scroll. Be creative… start with a phrase like:

  • Oh hell no, just no…
  • Absolutely not…
  • Yes, yes, yes! You should do this…
  • It depends on one very important thing…

2

Give a super quick intro.

We’ll put your name and bio in the title and links, so you can say something more general like:

“I’m Robin, a photographer in Chicago and after shooting 500 weddings…”
Or
“I’m not only a wedding planner in Chicago, but a newlywed myself…”

3

Answer away!

Give them your hot take, and don’t hold anything back.

Examples of what we are looking for:

check out how Sal nailed it in this video and so did Megan in this one and Nichole told it straight (from her car).

Tips for filming

Filming vertically on your phone.

TikTok is vertical for good reason - Gen Z have spoken!

Good audio is more important than good video.

Find a quiet room (that isn’t an echoey bathroom!).

Make sure your face is bright enough.

Standing near a large window or lamp is helpful - You want to be brighter than your background.

Nothing works better than a good story.

If you have any experiences you can share to help answer the question, go for it!

Bring
the energy!

Down an espresso, pump yourself up, and let the answers pour out! Our couples want as much honesty as they can get.

Featured Question

Q: Is there really a wedding mark up?

Do you feel like the industry charges more “because it’s a wedding” and they know it’s an emotional purchase?

Do companies think that they can charge more for weddings since the bride and groom may be willing to spend more on their dream wedding?

Hey wedding pros – is this higher price tag justified? Why? Do you charge more for your service if it is a wedding?

This is a taboo topic, whispered but not discussed… until now.

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