I have been searching the forum but I can't seem to find the answer I need. I want to start making wedding videos and my plan is to make 1-3 weddings for free to gain some experience. Where or how can I find couples for me to make free wedding videos. How did you start getting into the wedding business. I have heard that it is hell working on weddings but that is what I am passionate about doing for a future business.
How did you start off working on Weddings?
- Thread starter Jr4089
- Start date
tired
Well-known member
Find some local wedding venues and talk to the coordinator about your free offer
advertise in the local paper
print a few flyers out and leave them at reception venues
talk to your friends to see if they know someone getting married
call local celebrants to see if they know couples that would be interested
it's not hell working on weddings, it's hard work & there's no second chance to get the shot but I enjoy it and I think that most guys who are in the business enjoy what they do.
advertise in the local paper
print a few flyers out and leave them at reception venues
talk to your friends to see if they know someone getting married
call local celebrants to see if they know couples that would be interested
it's not hell working on weddings, it's hard work & there's no second chance to get the shot but I enjoy it and I think that most guys who are in the business enjoy what they do.
Samuel H
Major Contributor
what he said, plus: I'd advise for "free" instead of "very cheap" on the trial tests, otherwise you'll get a "cheap videographer" stigma that is difficult to get rid of later on (i.e. friends of your first clients will want you to work for very little money, whereas they wouldn't expect you to do so free)
gonzo_entertainment
Veteran
Better you than me buddy. I don't need money that bad and hope I never will.
j1clark@ucsd.edu
Veteran
The Wife did acting and modeling portfolios for years. A few customers from that group asked her to do their weddings. Around 1990 or so, the Wife decided to do that full time, and leave off the portfolios. I got dragged into it as the Ace Gunbearer for Bwana Lady.
I personally hate the wedding business. The Brides are cheap, and you as the photographer are the last person they see of the whole event, and get the **** that all the other vendors have created, just because you're the only one left.
Lots of people do obviously like it better than I do... and the last few weddings that the Wife did were pretty good... but then again... they were in the 10-15K range... so it seems that if you charge a lot, people are more 'appreciative' and politer... oh, but even in that range... don't accept the 'I forgot my check book' excuse for not being able to pay for some extra when delivered... these days, with Internet on mobile devices, get a Paypal credit card swipe, and get the money... even 'rich' people stiff you for the littlest of chicken **** bills...
In Australia, there's Gumtree (an eBay subsidiary). Embarrassed to say I've never used Craigslist, but presumably it's similar for USians? We also have serviceseeking.com.au, where couple says, "I want a videographer", then businesses pay $20 each to scramble over each other and provide the cheapest quote. Facebook helps. Word of mouth definitely helps -- every wedding you do, there's potentially dozens, hundreds of referrals. Having a domain name that pops up in Google when someone searches for your city and "wedding video" definitely helps.
How did I get started? Because someone gave me a break. Photographer was looking to team up with a videographer. He liked my showreel and gave me the job, and also could gave me a lot of advice, learnt through watching videographers on weddings he'd photographed.
Are weddings hell? Well, every wedding is different; and they also vary from "film the ceremony only" to "follow me around from 5am to midnight with a camera, and also shoot some pre-wedding and post-wedding material". I personally enjoy them, even the long days without much break and possibly with no food/drink; I reckon if you don't like them, do something else -- better for you, and better for your clients. I definitely don't appreciate it when couples, or parents of couple, treat you like crap. But dealing with this sort of thing, and being able to put people at ease, etc, is part of the job. Social skills, gift-of-the-gab, are important! These seem to be skills that are much more common amongst photographers than videographers (I don't have any social skills myself).
How did I get started? Because someone gave me a break. Photographer was looking to team up with a videographer. He liked my showreel and gave me the job, and also could gave me a lot of advice, learnt through watching videographers on weddings he'd photographed.
Are weddings hell? Well, every wedding is different; and they also vary from "film the ceremony only" to "follow me around from 5am to midnight with a camera, and also shoot some pre-wedding and post-wedding material". I personally enjoy them, even the long days without much break and possibly with no food/drink; I reckon if you don't like them, do something else -- better for you, and better for your clients. I definitely don't appreciate it when couples, or parents of couple, treat you like crap. But dealing with this sort of thing, and being able to put people at ease, etc, is part of the job. Social skills, gift-of-the-gab, are important! These seem to be skills that are much more common amongst photographers than videographers (I don't have any social skills myself).
Last edited:
JoeJITSU
Veteran
Weddings are hell sometimes, You will probably feel the wrath the first few times if you are inexperienced. You have to remember...ITS A ONE SHOT DEAL! you don't really get any retakes and if you screw up or miss the vows because of a battery or changing cards..you basically screwed it up..thats if you are shooting solo. The brides are very picky and sometimes after the post production you might get "crap" from them. You will be the most hated by the photographer..if you get in his way a lot...which I always try to steal the better shot sometimes. Other than that, The business is great and the pay is great..but not better than reality show pilot or sizzle reels, I can 3-5 times more in that field since it is a big demand here. I say go for it...but only if you have a passion for it...which a lot of us here do. GOOD LUCK!
leteeci
Well-known member
hehe.l. I don't know guys why are you so seek of filming weddings.. I make couple of them every year, and I have a great time doin' it.. It is an OK money, and if you are skilled you can make it fast and easy..
Years ago, I was music DJ at weddings and that is a hell to do.. you need a ton of equipment, everybody is putting a nose in your work, and you should be the lastone to leave the show..then you shpuld pickup all your stuff, and at home put it out of the car that someone don't still it at night..
Years ago, I was music DJ at weddings and that is a hell to do.. you need a ton of equipment, everybody is putting a nose in your work, and you should be the lastone to leave the show..then you shpuld pickup all your stuff, and at home put it out of the car that someone don't still it at night..
I love shooting videos. I feel I can make a great wedding video. I'm 22 turning 23 who has dropped out of high school. I couldn't stand being in school. I can't be in class and listen to the teacher or I was getting into trouble. I work full time that pays well but if I can make some money doing something I love, why not? I have self taught myself and I can watch hours and hours of tutorials and read books in one day. When I get off work I will be online for hours just doing my research and do some more learning. I just love it and if I had a full time job making wedding videos, I will love it 100x better then doing what I am doing right now. I'm at work right now, I had so much to say but I'll cut it short, my shift is ending.
Sebastian.UK
New member
That's okay man, judging by your delusional superiority complex i don't think you'd ever have what it takes any way. Because making budget 'edgy' short films with your friends starring... You.... And your friends... Is a much more fulfilling way of life, as opposed to creating art with a real story that will be treasured for a life time. There is some insanely good work from wedding cinematographers out there who are by no means desperate or money grabbing. Your post is incredibly ignorant.
@jr4, as already stated, your best bet is to find either friends or an acquaintance who is getting married and ask to do it for free. But make sure you have a plan, other wise you won't learn much. Know where and when you need to be to get specific shots, decide what kind of edit you're going for before the day and shoot from there.
Last edited:
tired
Well-known member
Philip Goetz
Well-known member
Take two or three cameras. Take a second shooter to help. Keep one camera high on a wide shot and keep a second camera for closeups. Offer "documentary" style. If you want to spice it up and start getting a good sizzle reel, throw a gh2 into the mix. Gh2 is better than canon because it can fill in as your wide / high shot when needed. Lenses for the gh2 should be a 100mm or 85mm and the somthing wide and fun like the 12mm olympus or 8mm lumix.
Www.vimeo.com/austinwedding
Www.vimeo.com/austinwedding