Wedding Photographer or Videographer?

I'm wondering if it's necessary to have both a photographer and videographer at

my wedding? Do I really need a photographer if I have a professional filming

the entire day? If you had to choose between a photographer or videographer

what would you go with and why?

 

A praud member of :

http://www.weddingphotographersforum.com/

Picture it - your wedding is finished, and a couple of months down the line all you have is a DVD of your big day. No album besides granny's snap shots and a few others. I wouldn't be happy. I would want a well done album as a no. 1 priority, not a DVD. In fact I wouldn't bother with a videographer at all, just my preference.

You're a "proud member" and you ask that question?

 

Maybe you should rethink this on your own for a while.

 

hint: gee, can you make a nice wall portrait from video?

 

Doug

Even if a pro is filming, and even if (s)he's using unthinkably expensive equiment, there simply won't be any images captured that have the same qualities of light, focus, and resolution that a pro photographer and her equipment is going to capture. A videographer shooting in genuine hi-def still isn't producing any single frame of the same resolution as a pro DSLR, or film. Those video frame grabs also aren't going to even come close to providing for the same degree of subtle post production work.

 

Then you've got issues of lenses: that photographer is going to be deliberately taking some shots that use extremely shallow depth of field, in order to visually isolate some foreground subjects (say, the bride's face) from background clutter. Whole different set of priorities for the videographer.

 

Personally, if I had to make a decision between a pro photographer taking pictures while some family/friends shot with modern camcorders, vs. a pro videographer working while family/friends did their best to produce keeper still shots... the former wins, hands-down. The only thing that videographer can produce that will really work well will be something you have to use an electronic appliance to see and appreciate. The photographer's artful prints will grace grandma's walls, a beautiful album, and wind up in several wallets... no batteries required.

spammmmmmmmmmed ?

What was the clue???

Thank you for the good information David Bell and Matt Laur

 

My bad, it is "proud", thanks for pointing out the mistake Doug Axford.

Of course, as a photographer I'm hugely biased toward still photography! I LOVE

photographs, and I can't image having only video from my own wedding.

<p>

However... there are some AMAZING videographers out there. <a href="http://

www.fourseasonsfilms.com/index.php">Four Seasons Films</a> is one that comes to

mind as

being truly incredible.

<p>

I think, on a budget, that I would pick a photographer first. But with a little extra money

(ok,

a LOT!) I'd go with a film maker as well. :)

Even if the videographer is brilliant, the DVD amazing and all turns out well, you need to sit down and watch a video. A photograph you can have hanging on the wall, sitting on your desk, tucked in your wallet, and you can always look at it. All it takes is a glance and those memories will be there, no set up, no equipment, no time.

Simple answer: I have neither a TV nor video and really don't know if and how badly this computer could play a DVD.

 

My basic needs would be met, if I got some formals of me and the bride arranged by a old school pro in studio.

If and how the event itself was covered wouldn't matter much to me. If some of the inlaws / bystanders were promising, I'd lend out my cameras...

It's SPAMMMMM guys - to get you all going .

 

If people read each others posts you could see that. We all repeat stuff too much on here - good idea to read what others say.

Spam, spam, spam.....

 

It's rather ironic that it's spam to support a forum, ethics???

Spam, but here is my take on this: what one would expect the answer is on a photography form if this questions was Raised on a videographers forum the answer would have been different. The truth in the Matter is both has pro and cons and it is a matter of taste and importance to each individual.

A nice photo of someone above the fireplace or in album is what they want, need and what is important for other it could the sound and visual of that day to be able to play and see it again and again

I'm just a beginner so forgive my limited insight. I've heard there's a videographer in Dallas who shoots digital video and then cuts prints from it. I was told doing so enabled him to get the 'perfect' shot. If it were me, I'd still go with the photographer. Maybe let a family member take a movie...

Spam Spam Spam... but why compare apples to oranges.... or how aboutif you could only have one thing for the next month what would you choose, air or water? Ok well maybe not that severe. Like Khalil said its mainly prefence to the consumer. I had a fantastic photographer at my wedding that took up the budget for both my photography and videography ( and perhaps a small car) and the images are beautiful however I was devestated afterwards not having it one film and being able to hear me say my vows etc. But anyone in the audiance holding a videa camera would have been good enough for me. I woudlnt trade my photos for anything, and im not going to hang a dvd above my fireplace ( and I wouldnt watch it everyday)so Photo vote for me! ( Although I should have asked uncle Bob to run the video camera)

I am a photographer so obviously wouldn't even consider not having one at my wedding! Videographer.... I regret not having one. The day of my wedding was the last time I saw my mother and father in law. Kind of a morbid reason but it is reality. Things happen. I have had 2 children since then and would love to be able to show them our wedding video in 20 years. Pictures will have to do. Luckily I hired a good photographer! I would spend the money. I regreted not having a video 2 months after the wedding!

I've yet to see a video that I've said "wow, that was nice".

I guess most of you have not seen a quality video??

I'll be the first to admit there are plenty of poorly

produced wedding videos out there but there are as well

some very talented shooters & editors in the industry.

How many horrible DJ's or bands have you come across

and people pay for their services don't they?

Every vendor in the idustry has its share of amateurs

and experienced people.

Rebecca, I totally agree with you! We had a pro photographer, and we had a friend rent a video camera and do the filming. I am since divorced, the pictures were split up between us, and are away in an album. I have no interest in them. My video, however, has been out several times lately. It is the only video I have of at least six people that have passed on, including my parents, father in-law, and a few friends. Also tons of people that I don't see anymore. Wouldn't give it up for the world.