Been Shopping My Competition...

x-angel

x-angel

Well-known member
I am not going to mention in one wedding production company name, because it's all looking the same to me.

I remember some of the feedback I got when I posted the link to my first wedding recap. (Which by the way, I really appreciate since it started me looking at things differently) And I decided to apply some of this feedback, plus somethings I had noticed myself and look at my competition for when I get back from overseas.

Here's what I have noticed:

1. Most of their websites just suck. (mine could use some improvement as well)

2. Some of these people want $1000+ just for ONE camera angle and 1 DVD, most of which are not edited or chaptered in anyway.

3. A lot of the "rookie mistakes" you guys gave me feedback on.... I noticed with these guys, and they are charging twice than me.

4. Looking at their sample footage, it seems the term "Color correction" doesn't enter into their technique. They all scream "EXPENSIVE HOME MOVIE". (of course I can't complain too loudly...I am just learning this myself.)

5. Wireless mics! Have they heard of them??

I am sure there's more, but that is just what sticks out in my mind. Night shift is a drag.

Lemme make one clarification: I am not saying, by any means, that ALL wedding videographers suck, I am just saying some of the "big names" in my area of Texas don't seems to be up to snuff....
 
then blow 'em away instead of here talking about it :thumbsup:

your work should speak for itself.

good luck
 
I have heard one guy in my area still uses VHS cameras to shoot weddings and he stays busy. I dont know why but its hard for some of the older guys to switch over. or they think bigger camera equals professional look. One of the other wedding guys in my area does really nice work, but others arent too great. Some of it just do it as a job instead of actually caring about it looking nice or doing things creatively...
 
The way I see it, I do wedding videos on the side and I charge a ridiculous amount, but since I don't need the money and I don't have a lot of fun, I could care less if I get the work. So I charge whatever I want, and some one hires me, oh well. Too bad they didn't get someone who's really into it. (Of course, I show them other wedding videos I've done, so at least they know what they're getting for the money.)
Gosh, all of a sudden I feel so evil... :evil:
 
San Antonio really doesn't have much to offer in the way of wedding videographers from what I've seen... Austin is the same, though I think overall there is some better quality stuff being done here. But, other than one or two people, I've never been really impressed with any of the work.

As far as color correction, most of the wedding guys I know will fix your basic white balance issues, but that's about where they draw the line. If you're shooting weddings full time and doing 2 in a weekend, the editing can really pile up on you.

I'm kind of shocked to hear that you found some 'pros' that aren't using wireless mics though.
 
Checked out your site ... fairly nice clean look overall. Question though, I don't see where you have any examples?? Personally, I can't stand when websites don't have samples of work, or pictures of their product. It'd be nice if you could get some clips, even if they're short, posted up there.

Next, do you shoot your wedding with all three cameras being the same (i.e. DVX, XL1/2, etc.)?

When you list 5 cameras, you have an astrix next to it, but then nothing that notates what the astrix is for ... what's it for?

BTW, I like how you have popup windows for explainations of some of the features. Nice touch.
 
I haven't been able to view the samples of your work, but from what I know of the Austin market at least it seems that you could raise your prices quite a bit when you get back.
For what you're offering, as long as the work is good (obviously) your prices seem really low.

Unless prices differ between Austin and San Antonio that much...but I doubt it.
 
What your seeing is the effect a personality can have in business. I bet your competitors who do crappy videos are cheerful and friendly and have great interpersonal skills. They hang out at BBB functions, and can chat about nothing at all for hours.

Price and quality aren't the only important issues for many clients. Most will do business with people they get the warm and fuzzies from.

ICK!
 
Here in Seattle still photographers are getting $1,500 to $4,000 per wedding according to the brochures I reviewed at the last wedding show I went to a few weeks ago.
 
Envision said:
Checked out your site ... fairly nice clean look overall. Question though, I don't see where you have any examples??
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Thanks for the comp. The recap works. The sampler I need to relink up...sorry about that.

Next, do you shoot your wedding with all three cameras being the same (i.e. DVX, XL1/2, etc.)?
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Yes... They will be DVX100As or Bs. I will probably have to rent the third one at first until I can afford to get a 3rd one.

When you list 5 cameras, you have an astrix next to it, but then nothing that notates what the astrix is for ... what's it for?
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The 5 Cameras is only if the facility allows it--as explained in the "pop-up". I wont have those in permanent stock. I'll have to rent those.

BTW, I like how you have popup windows for explainations of some of the features. Nice touch.
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Thanks.

San Antonio really doesn't have much to offer in the way of wedding videographers from what I've seen... Austin is the same, though I think overall there is some better quality stuff being done here. But, other than one or two people, I've never been really impressed with any of the work.
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Same here. There are a couple here in the SA Area that are good. But they are exorbanent in price.

As far as color correction, most of the wedding guys I know will fix your basic white balance issues, but that's about where they draw the line. If you're shooting weddings full time and doing 2 in a weekend, the editing can really pile up on you.
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Thats why I have a "single event" policy. I do that for my own benefit, and the benefit of my clients. I am not going to pack up in the middle of the reception to run to the next event. That adds too much stress to the process.

If the business grows to where I can hire out some other cameramen, then I can book more events. But right now, I am in the "control freak" stage to where I have to be involved in every event. It's just my wife and myself right now, plus a couple of friends.

I'm kind of shocked to hear that you found some 'pros' that aren't using wireless mics though.
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It shocked me too.

What your seeing is the effect a personality can have in business. I bet your competitors who do crappy videos are cheerful and friendly and have great interpersonal skills. They hang out at BBB functions, and can chat about nothing at all for hours.

Price and quality aren't the only important issues for many clients. Most will do business with people they get the warm and fuzzies from.
Click to expand...

I hadn't thought about that. I can schmooze with the best of them however.

I am drawing up my business plan for when I get back. While I am gone, a good chuck of my "Army Salary" will go towards the investment of Micha-Angel. I don't plan to limit Micha-Angel to JUST weddings...I have a few other idea up my sleeve.

Even though this is going to be an expensive start-up, the good thing is that these are durable investments that will last for a while, and pay for themselves in a short amount of time.

Thanks for all the input and questions.
 
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