Countless hours of work, dedication, anticipation and excitement go into preparing for the wedding day. After all, on this special day everything should be as you always dreamed it would be. It is all the more important that with all the effort you get perfect wedding videos and wedding photos. We’ll tell you in our article which criteria you use to identify really good wedding photographers and wedding videographers.
Perfect wedding videos & wedding photos: browse the references
Before you book a photographer or videographer, you should take a detailed look at their wedding photos and wedding videos on the website. Unfortunately, just because someone offers photography or videography does not mean that they produce high-quality results. There are very big differences. Photos and videos in particular make up a large part of the wedding costs – the quality should then also be top.
Take a close look at wedding photos
- Sharpness
Pay attention to what the photographer’s pictures look like that were taken in poor lighting conditions, for example in slightly darker interiors or at dusk. With a good photographer, the images are still not grainy, but sharp.
- image editing
Check out how the photographers edit the images. If too much retouching or blurring is done, faces look completely unnatural and have far too few facial expressions and contours. With too much contrast, on the other hand, skin blemishes, wrinkles and contours appear more, which is also not nice. A good photographer optimizes images so skillfully that you hardly notice them. This also applies to the use of filters. The same applies here: less is more. Photographers never publish their pictures unprocessed, so you should like the photographer’s general style.
- excerpts
Does the photographer strive for clean image sections? This means, for example, that in a photo of the upper body, the hands should also be visible and not be cut off. A full-body photo shouldn’t end at the ankles, of all things, but the feet should also be part of it. Sections can also be corrected afterwards. So if a person is not well taken in a beautiful picture of the bride and groom in the background, then a good photographer will change the frame accordingly.
- horizon
A good photographer values a horizontal horizon. If the photo is taken intentionally crooked, then the horizon should be very crooked. So you can tell that it was clearly on purpose. A lake that is not completely horizontal or a building that is slightly crooked looks strange.
- Flash vs. natural light
Does the photographer often use the flash or does he like to rely on the available light. Have a look at the pictures in comparison and think about which style you like better? You can also discuss this with the photographer in advance.
- Colorful edges of light (chromatic aberrations)
If you want to take a particularly close look at the skills of the photographer, then see if you can see colorful borders along the edges of the motif on his pictures. In short, these can arise from the refraction of light. A good photographer knows how to avoid this or fix it in the subsequent image processing if it should occur.
- Photo ideas
Also take a look at the poses the newlyweds take in the pictures and consider whether this corresponds to your ideas for your own wedding photos. Because the photographer will encourage you to do similar poses. That’s why it’s always good if I get some inspiration for yourself beforehand so that you know what you like and what you definitely don’t want – for example in our “70 ideas for breathtaking wedding photos”.
Many bridal couples like to complete their bridal couple shoot without stress even before the actual ceremony. Then please remember to keep the “first look”. This should not be missing in your perfect wedding videos and wedding photos. Tips and ideas for creating the moment when the groom sees the bride in the wedding dress for the first time can be found in our blog article “Goosebumps Moment First Look”.
Take a close look at wedding videos
- Camera work and perspectives
A good videographer films from several perspectives and does not blur. Total shots of the location before it is stormed by the guests are just as much a part of it as loving detail shots (such as the clasped hands of the bride and groom) - Lighting conditions
If different lighting conditions are well processed in the video (e.g. in closed rooms such as in a church or at the registry office or outdoors in bright sunlight), then this shows you that the videographer is using high-quality equipment. A good videographer does not film against the light, because then people are only dark shadows. - Sound quality
Make sure to also pay attention to the sound quality of the videos. If a videographer uses top equipment, you will certainly notice it as soon as you have seen a few videos in comparison. - drone
Recordings using drones are an absolute hit. They not only give a video impressive images, but also a very professional touch. So feel free to ask if the videographer offers something like this.
Our blog article “Wedding video: 4 styles” is sure to be very helpful for your decision. A wedding video can be prepared in very different ways and not all of them will suit your taste.
Your booked photographer or videographer should in any case take the time for a detailed preliminary talk in order to know your very personal wishes and ideas. You should provide a detailed daily schedule no later than 1 month before the wedding. We have valuable tips for you here for the perfect course of your wedding.
Of course, the focus is on the bride and groom, but a photographer or videographer mustn’t forget about the guests, the ambience, the lovingly decorated hall, detailed shots of the rings, etc. All of these are memories that are also very important and enliven your perfect wedding videos and wedding photos.
Another wonderful idea is a wedding video as a personally designed gift from family and friends to the bride and groom.
Money, money, money – the pricing
You should take a close look at the prices and the package design. Most photographers or videographers offer different hourly packages that you can choose from. If you don’t want to spend too much money on the video and then just let yourself be accompanied during the wedding ceremony. But also ask how many photos you actually get at the end and whether these, including image editing, are also included in the price. With a wedding video, it’s always good to have a short version and a detailed video. It is also interesting to know how much advance payment has to be made.
Some photographers also offer the creation of photo albums. You should think carefully about whether you really want that. Pay close attention to the price and compare how much a photo album costs if you create it yourself. There are already so many providers where you can do this yourself without any prior knowledge. And the choice of pictures is yours alone, which is not unimportant. In general, asks what costs are included or incurred separately, such as travel to the building or assembly and dismantling.
A little tip on the side: don’t forget to allow the photographers and videographers to eat and drink.
Agree on the time frame and the flexibility
During your wedding preparations, make sure to clarify with the photographer and videographer how they would deal with a spontaneous extension and how it will be billed. It is by no means a given that they automatically stay longer. Your service providers often have a long way to get there and home. It would be a shame if the photographer packed up 20 minutes before the opening dance because the agreed time has expired. Since insured: It often happens that the daily routine cannot be precisely planned. There can be a 1 hour delay very quickly. So keep this in mind if you plan on important program items at the edge of the agreed hourly quota or even late in the evening.
Social Media & Co .: The use of your videos & photos
Before booking, check how the photographer or videographer would like to use your pictures and videos later. You will want to present it on your homepage and possibly want to show it on social media. Think about which uses are okay for you and clarify beforehand whether they take your wishes into account in this regard. Then there will be no nasty surprises later.
Possible pitfalls: rights of use and duplication
Before you commission, make sure that you get free usage rights with regard to all photos and video recordings. And that you have the rights to have the photos reproduced. So you are on the safe side and you are not asked for money afterwards.
Finally, a little note for your perfect wedding videos and wedding photos: Real professionals are recommended and do not have to go overboard with all their might.
Cover picture by Mariah Krafft.
Don’t forget it, pin it?
