The Video Clips Your Videographer Doesn’t Want You to See
These Memories Were Almost Lost Forever
In our previous post about the wedding tragedy averted, we detailed the events surrounding getting Flip cameras to Percy and Hollis in time for their big day. We now have the cameras back and can share a brief glimpse into what one of their guests described as, “hands down the most incredible celebration of family and friends I have ever experienced. I am sure the flip cams helped capture the memories. ”
We see a lot of wedding videos and are always touched by the special moments that are captured by the bride and groom’s friends and family. After viewing the footage from this wedding it really hit home. It is such a privilege to help couples really experience their wedding forever in a unique way. All of the personal, fun, and intimate memories that were recorded on that video almost never happened. Wow, that’s a powerful example of making sure someone is getting video.
Ironically enough, the original post caused quite a reaction from professional videographers. We have always maintained that hiring a pro is a really smart idea. Apparently a lot of pros think it is a really stupid idea for couples to get video from anyone other than themselves. According to them it is better to have nothing if it isn’t through the lens of a $5000 camera. And don’t even THINK of asking for the video scenes that don’t make it into the final edit. Mind boggling! After some verbal sparring with videographers on this blog and some others I’m coming to realize that there are in fact some real disadvantages to only hiring a pro.
1. a pro will only be at the wedding for a specified length (4-8hrs usually) and miss most of the entire weekend
2. the pro doesn’t know you, your friends, or your family or what’s important to you
3. the pro will focus almost exclusively on just the couple and not on all the other events going on
4. your friends and family will not open up and act crazy in front of a stranger
So, why not both? If you can afford a real pro, by all means get the gorgeous video they can provide. And supplement their video of the bride and groom with a fun, personal memento of all your friends filmed by the ones who love you most.
I have never met Percy and Hollis, and only spoke with them on the phone a few times because of the issues in getting them cameras. Even though I don’t know them personally, I had a painful feeling realizing that the moments shown in the edited video below were almost lost forever.
My husband and I recorded our first dance song and I was so worried we wouldn’t be able to hear it. And the picture is so clear! I stood on the street and watched the teaser on my iphone with tears in my eyes. I’m thrilled. We’re actors by trade and when you guys decide to go nationwide, Percy and I have your first commercial all mapped out: this whole story told in under a minute filmed on your flip cameras and ending with footage from above. I scream your name at every bride I encounter, thank you for everything.
Wow, nothing is more powerful than hearing we brought tears to your eyes.
We’re already nationwide, so let’s talk about making that commercial 🙂
I have an issue with this. I have a family member, my brother, who is a wedding videographer. He works extremely hard on his work and produces some great film for the bride and groom of their wedding day. It really disappoints me that you want to point out that “pros” dont know or care about your family. When my brother is hired by Bride and Groom he actually meets with them on several occasions to get to know them. Maybe you guys should look into what some of the pros are doing….you might be shocked and realize that you are wrong…they actually do care. Also, its always a good idea and rule of thumb to not bad mouth others when you don’t really know whats going on. And, why shouldn’t the video be more focused on the bride and groom? That’s what all the guests are there for and honestly, when I got married and received my video, I was happy that there weren’t shots of some guy playing in the pool or whatever.
Your business is good for some, yes…but this bad mouthing mess is ridiculous.
Hi Lisa,
I agree that bad mouthing should end. We’ve been on the brunt end of a series of videographer’s blogs trashing the idea of using anything besides a pro. We love pros. They work very hard for the money they get – most people have no idea how many hours it takes to edit video. We have pros who incorporate our services in their packages and love working with them. Our goal is to provide every every couple the opportunity to have a video from their day.
We have great relationships with many pros and have recommended their services to many potential clients. A good pro will spend the time to get to know the couple. One thing they can’t always control is how long they’ll be able to video or how people will open up to their camera, because they’ll be a stranger with a bright light. That’s also why they are best at focusing on the bride and groom.
What we have taken exception to is pros basically saying any couple who uses a service like our is stupid. We find it so strange that some (certainly not all) would have this opinion. The fact that our customers defended themselves here speaks volumes.
Lisa, I wish your brother the best of success and if he’s interested in expanding his business opportunities let him know we’re happy to work with him.