How to prepare for a Videographer!

So you’ve hired a videographer for your wedding or elopement, now what?

Connect your vendors:

If you hired a videographer there is a good chance you already have your photographer as well, so a good rule of thumb is to make sure we are both aware of each other. I like to reach out to your photographer before hand and introduce myself, and meet up for coffee if possible. It’s important that we work smoothly together and are aware of each other’s processes for the day of!

Side note: This is why vendor referrals are bomb. We’ve already worked together and we know we work great as a team!

Prepare your people:

A lot of people are uncomfortable with cameras in their face, and we get that. They might be prepping for photos mentally, however, video is another story. Every time I show up to a wedding, I try to explain why I’m there and how I work (try to ignore me, don’t look directly into my camera unless told to, etc.), but it helps me out tremendously if you just mention to your people that you’ll have a photo AND video person there to capture your day! Just the fact that they won’t be surprised by me, will help!

Provide any and all details:

Got a rough draft of your timeline? Are you planning on writing vows or having a gift exchange and/or love letter exchange? LET ME KNOW! Of course, life happens, and last minute changes or ideas happen as well, which is totally cool. If you know ahead of time that you want to incorporate something special you’d want filmed, please please please give me a heads up.

More things to consider:

First looks are an amazing opportunity to have some alone time with your partner before everything else happens. It’s also a great time to capture some intimate, authentic, reactions with the two of you.

If you don’t want to do a first look, a popular alternative is what I call Love Letters. This is when you and your partner would write each other a love note and I capture the emotional process of reading these! I always let you choose if you want them included in your highlight video or just as a separate private video for you two.

GOLDEN HOUR/BLUE HOUR! I am VERY passionate about this. If you are able to, please allow time for your photographer and videographer to steal you and your partner away for some gorgeous shots at sunset (or sunrise for those morning elopements!). This is when light is less harsh and allows for us to have some fun and creative shots!