"Don't Regret It! Important Considerations When Outsourcing 'Camera and Video' for Your Wedding"
2017.01.11 published
What should you be aware of when "outsourcing" for your wedding?
Are there brides who are "outsourcing" for their weddings? I believe it’s common to outsource things like photography, videography, hair and makeup, and flowers for weddings.*
By outsourcing, you not only get to entrust the wedding to someone you admire or someone with your preferred style, but it often offers great cost performance as well!♡
However, on the flip side, there can be disadvantages too if the outsourced vendors are not familiar with weddings or if coordination with the wedding venue doesn’t go smoothly. You would want to avoid a hectic situation on the day of having to explain everything to the outsourced people, right? This time, I will introduce some points to consider when outsourcing "photography and videography."*
Important Point 1: Check if they are familiar with weddings when outsourcing "photography and videography"
When outsourcing photography and videography for weddings, it’s crucial to confirm whether the person is "familiar with weddings."*
There are many photographers and videographers out there who are not specialized in weddings. For example, some may be landscape or plant photographers, while others might focus on competitions and presentations. Therefore, when looking for wedding photographers and videographers, it’s important to find "wedding-specialized photographers." ◎
Weddings have a specific flow throughout the day. There are many moments to capture, from the smiles of the bride and groom to the tears of the guests and the serious expressions of the staff, all sprinkled throughout the day.
Hence, not just anyone calling themselves a "photographer" would suffice. Let’s look for photographers specialized in weddings. ◎
Additionally, when choosing a photographer for the wedding day, it’s essential to see "all the photos taken from previous weddings." The reason this is important is that pre-wedding photos can be retaken.
A competent photographer should naturally be able to take great pre-wedding photos, but on the actual wedding day, there are no second chances. Seeing how well they manage to take photos amidst the bustle of the day really matters, so it's very important to review their actual day photos.
Thus, when selecting your photographer or videographer, confirm if they are "familiar with weddings" and ask to see "photos taken on the actual day" to make a judgment. ◎
Important Point 2: Confirm if they have been to the wedding venue before or can visit beforehand
The second thing to pay attention to when outsourcing photographers and videographers is to check "if they have been to the wedding venue before."
Wedding venues are unique places where the bride and groom, guests, and family members are all engaged in various activities in different locations. For instance, while the couple is rehearsing the ceremony, the groom's father may be nervously practicing his speech in the family waiting room, and at the same time, the guests might be relaxing in the welcome space.
Photographers and videographers need to be aware of all these scenes, times, and locations. Do you think someone unfamiliar with the venue will be able to grasp everything in an instant on that day?
Even professional photographers and videographers find it challenging to comprehend all the times and locations in a short period. Thus, it’s very important to confirm whether they have been to the venue before and if they can visit it in advance if not. ◎
Not only will they familiarize themselves with the location, but they can also check the lighting conditions. If you can hire a photographer who can come to the wedding venue and has relevant experience, it will give you peace of mind!♡
Important Point 3: Confirm the locations and scenes they can film
When outsourcing photographers and videographers, checking the locations and scenes they can film is also vital. Some wedding venues have restrictions on scenes that cannot be photographed by outside photographers.
For example, shooting on the aisle during the ceremony might be prohibited, as well as capturing moments while preparing, or photographing in the welcome space.
So, when you decide to outsource, confirm whether there are any restrictions on the scenes and locations where the photographer or videographer can go. If there are places or scenes you want to capture but cannot, consulting with the venue's photographer to see if you can request to take just those specific shots is a key point!*
Important Point 4: Provide the event schedule for the day
Once you’ve chosen the outsourced photographer, it’s important to provide them with the event schedule as soon as it’s finalized. ◎ Time management is crucial for photographers and videographers! Providing this information will give you both peace of mind, especially if they are professionals. ♡
The event schedule should detail not only the flow of the reception but also the couple’s preparation time, family introductions, rehearsals, and the gathering time for guests and family members. The more detailed the schedule, the better! It would also be great to include specific locations. ♡
When outsourcing, pay attention to various aspects and ensure that you have beautiful photos and videos!*
How did you find these points when outsourcing photography and videography? There might be various reasons for outsourcing, such as "I want to hire someone I admire," "I'm not satisfied with the wedding venue's plan," or "I just want to reduce costs." However, outsourcing has its pros and cons.
Brides considering outsourcing should carefully check these points and choose wonderful individuals for their wedding! ♩