Looking for wedding videographer help

[wildside50]

Hopefully this is the best forum in which to post this --

My good friend was just deported for a 4 month tour in Qatar for the US Air Force. While not the most dangerous post in the world, he's going to be away from his wife, 2 year old son, and 9 month old baby girl for that duration.

Before he left, he bought a Canon T3i with kit lens. Found it wanting, traded it in for a 60D with kit lens. Found that wanting once again, and all told ended up with a Canon 7D, a few L lenses, some lighting, and various other pieces all totalling at least 3k. He has a dream of being a sports photographer.

I said the in to photography is wedding photography. He agreed and when he gets back wants to start a wedding photography company. I said a wedding photography/videography company is doubly sellable. So I am looking for some input from some succesful wedding videographers.

We are going to get a small business loan, so while money isn't tight, it is a somewhat limiting factor, all I have now is a Canon HF M41. I love the camera but it doesn't scream "professional" at a wedding.

So I'm looking for some input on equipment/business plan help from experienced wedding videographers so that I can present a business plan to him when he gets back. I want this company to work, so I'm hoping to get some insight from the pros here. I appreciate any insight.

Thanks.

[STUDIO32MID]

Hi welcome to the forum. You have come to a great place and the right place. On this forum we have lots of experienced wedding videographers from all skill levels and experiences and from all over the world as well. Awesome.

I think one thing you may have left out of your initial submission is your skill levels- both you and him in videos and in doing weddings. That can also help a long way besides building the structures. I think while awaiting his return may be also a great time to get the requiste experience or some hands on pratice with people already in the field. Where are you located?

[rmicah53]

I would really like to help you in choosing photography and videography. I would like to recommend Portrait photographers Toowoomba for one of the best wedding photography and videography. You may visit for their portfolio.

[Daniel Rutter]

HA! I've shot a wedding on the HV30, and shocked everyone with the quality it has...

So your little Canon will do FINE. Don't go spending thousands of dollars on a camera you don't know how to use before knowing how to drive your current little beast.

[Lawrence189]

This is the equipment I am familiar with using at weddings:

Video:
We use 2 Xha1's
Light attachments for both Cams
Extra batteries
Tripods with wheels equipped
A zoom rig to connect to the tripod for easy zoom
Lav Mics [mainly for the Ceremony]

Photography:
Canon 5D
a wireless umbrella for lighting

Editing:
2 Imac I5's
1 Mac Pro Quad Xeon
Final Cut
After Effects

We shoot at parks where permits are actually required and we pay a annual fee to get access to certain scenery but it is worth the money.
This get's the job done and the boss charges around 5k for for a package of photo and video.


When I was First Starting Out:

For my own company deal I had

Video:
Canon HV30
Canon T2i
Tripod with wheels
Lavs for Audio

Photo:
T2i
No light...[mistakes]

Editing:
Imac 5,1
Final Cut


Recommended for Low Budget:

If you want to look professional you can grab a matte box rig and it will make the camera appear more professional.

Video:
2 Canon HV40's
Lighting Attachments IS A MUST
2 Tripods w/ wheels
Lav Mics for Audio
Matte Box rigs for Pro Feel [even tho it's just b/s].

Pics:
Canon T2i [very cheap these days]
Some kind of external Light

I really recommend at least 2 cameras for a shoot if you really want to take this seriously. Anything can go wrong at any second so it's always best to have 2 camera's. It's more professional plus very efficient and gives you plenty footage to work with.

Main concerns should always be:
Smooth footage, well lit, and entertaining for the audience to watch.
I would not recommend using DSLR VIDEO For wedding shoots because of constant focus pulling.
Also, you might wana grab some DOF adapters for any camera under the 1k mark [could be easily wrong about that].

[drapeama]

HA! I've shot a wedding on the HV30, and shocked everyone with the quality it has..

Yeah, I second that. And I've matched both the HV40 with a T2i (shot the wedding with both cameras) and it ended up that there's not much difference in the final results, only for the low-light scenes. The exteriors are pretty much identical in terms of quality. So don't bother, just use the HV and it'll be fine.

[Shaunp007]

For weddings, I usually have this setup.

1. Canon 5D mk2 w/ 24-70(2.8) & 85mm(1.8) - 1 guy operating it constantly
2. Canon T2i w/ 50mm(1.8) & 28mm(1.8) - 1 guy operating it constantly
3. Canon HV20 w/ raynox HD wide angle - Stationary setup normally upstairs for ceremony and monitoring the dance floor during reception

For sound I have rode mics on both the 5D mk2 and T2i with the zoom h2 setting wherever I get nice levels.

In post the T2i and 5D mk2 look about the same, even in low light. 5D eeks out nicer colors and tends to hold up better noise-wise at the darker reception. I only use the HV20 during the reception if for some reason the two DSLR's had a bad angle or during battery / card changeouts so I would recommend a light of some sort if you go the canon HF route at the reception.

We also roll with a 3' slider for detail and moving shots.

We edit in FCP or Sony Vegas. I like both programs about the same.

It is really difficult to get all the video shot with just one person. I really think it adds to be able to switch between 3 cams at any given time. You could probably do it yourself if you had at least two cameras, one reliable stationary and you on the other that will float.

Hope my reply added to what has already been said.

[blondandfun]

Event video is just a stepping stone, just have fun and realize that your client is stupid and should be grateful that you even showed up... you are probably the LAST vendor they booked anyways, so just have fun, get drunk, hit on their guests and give them their product...95% of event video clients are so clueless anyways some people will love crap and others will demand Hollywood quality for $300 budgets... And the "top 25" in the industry are all jokes, their videos are all technique and no emotion.

[deckmaster]

HA! I've shot a wedding on the HV30

Any wedding highlight link? curious

[movielighter]

Still working at it myself.

Stationary cam in the back, facing ceremony, tight frame of wedding party and ceremony, usually set up and left alone. This is where I would place a non DSLR camera that can do at least an hour.

Main footage, up front, always facing bride. to the right (of groom), tripod. Move to floor after things start to wrap up and the couple is presented, kiss, etc. For the DSLR I use the canon 50mm 1.8, or a 28mm 2.8.

Lapel mic on groom collar, Zoom H1 (set and locked) in pocket ($125.00 set up)
Zoom H4N - centered on ceremony, usually right beside preacher.

One thing that helped me for the pre-wedding shots, post wedding shots, photography session, and the reception was to have a Opteka X-Grip Pro. ($29.00). I mount it to the quick release plate of the tripod, then when needed, just pop it off and go. Great range with this unit, easy to hold on, and you can get very creative with it.

Some of the best shots outdoors were with the Canon 18-135mm IS lens and handheld.