Services:
Accepts:

Something a little different. A little unexpected. A little beyond the norm. Exceptional.

That's hitched DVography. Complete but discreet. The eye of a great candid photographer plus the technical savvy of a video documentarian. Deferential to you, your photographer, your religious site, and your guests.

If you want something with a life of its own, that not only you, but also others will enjoy watching, you've come to the right place.

Serving Washington D.C., NoVa, Richmond, and Baltimore.

Borrowed Blue Photography

Adam was unobtrusive, fun, and creative when we worked together way up in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. We highly recommend him! Natalie and Jamie borrowed blue photography

 

Selecting a Videographer

As with all things, you get what you pay for and many “higher-end” vendors cite the following quote in their materials:

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten”

Even so, there are levels of quality and value amongst the “crème de la crème.”

1. The Goods

Ask to see a real sample, not just a “demo,” “sampler,” “best of,” or “highlight” DVD. Almost anyone can edit together bits and pieces of footage to create an impressive highlights reel, but you want to see exactly what you’re paying for and getting in the end. For more tips on what to look for when viewing a complete package (for instance, a few small errors during a long form video are common, even with multi-camera coverage), please read Thomas Barrera’s excellent article Wedding Video Tips:
Selecting Your Wedding Videographer

2. Chemistry

besides your loved ones, there may be three other people around you a lot on your wedding day: your photographer, your videographer, and your coordinator. Get a sense of who these people are and what your interaction with them will be like. No matter how good someone’s product or how reasonably priced they may be, if their chemistry doesn’t mix with yours, it may not be the right fit.

Find someone who will not only work with you, but provide expert advice in an appropriate manner; a prima donna will only impose their artistic vision without necessarily listening to your concerns. Conversely, a neophyte may prove a “yes-man” without giving you the guidance where you need it most. A true pro will not only listen to and accommodate your reasonable requests, but will also provide (gentle) feedback and recommendations when needed.

3. The best of both worlds

The best videographers combine elements of a “documentary” or a “photo-journalistic” approach with appropriate effects and post-production techniques (often referred to as “MTV style”) to create a final piece with a compelling, narrative structure.

With the introduction of powerful “prosumer” video cameras and wireless microphones, the “documentary” approach has become the standard among videographers while actually shooting in the field. (It’s no longer necessary to use external lighting or manipulate bulky analog cameras around to get compelling footage.) Unless you want some “non-traditional” or staged footage in your final product, you shouldn’t be aware of a videographers’ presence on your wedding day.

Even so, there is a place in editing for tasteful effects and “non-linear” approaches. Too often, videographers simply rely on their equipment and don’t put in the elbow grease when editing. The result? Flat, “real-time” footage that may run (very) long and even be shot competently, but ultimately doesn’t hold a viewer’s attention because it’s akin to home-video. (Exactly what you wanted to avoid in hiring a professional.)

The best videographers will remain completely unobtrusive on your wedding day and still completely capture all the important events in an intimate manner. They can also edit and know the place of post-production techniques in creating a compelling piece with a narrative arch.

4. Use your resources

If you’ve already selected a site, hired a photographer or coordinator, or contracted with other vendors, ask them for recommendations.

5. Technobabble

Some videographers will try to impress--and possibly intimidate-- you with a maelstrom of technical jargon. There are definitely some essentials that should be “givens” for a professional videographer, at the least, they should use “3-ccd” (that’s the number of color chips, “consumer models only have a single chip) cameras, wireless microphones, professional tripods, and an editing bay. (Today, a “non-linear software program,” or NLE, such as Apple’s Final Cut Pro, Avid’s Express, or Adobe’s Premiere is de rigueur in the editing bay, but a good ol’ fashioned switcher with the appropriate hardware can get the job done too).

Numerous articles on selecting a photographer and/or videographer from ultimatewedding.com