How To Film A Wedding With One Camera

There is a starting time time for everything, and if you accept your listen set on producing a hymeneals video, yous volition encounter plenty of "firsts" during that initial nuptials weekend. There is a first buss, a first dance, and a kickoff slice of cake. Where will you take your cameras fix upwardly for each of these memorable moments? Will yous demand lights for every shot? How will you lot manage the audio? When the bride says "I practice," you will want everything in place to ensure that yous capture every word and angle. This guide will address equipment needs, upshot priorities, and typical expectations of the bride and groom and their families.

Things to Consider

Remember that each ceremony is unique, every ballroom and reception hall is different, no two events unfold in quite the same way and, above all, every wedding party—from groomsmen to flower girl to the father of the helpmate—will bring their ain personalities, special needs, and last-minute requests. The first chip of advice for all prospective hymeneals videographers is a quote from homo functioning expert and author Denis Waitley: "Expect the all-time, program for the worst, and gear up to exist surprised!"

Traditionally, the family unit of the helpmate has paid for photography and videography. In recent years, some of the "who pays for what" has changed, but whoever is footing the bill will be your client. Keep in heed that they will set the guidelines for what is expected of yous, what you lot volition cover, and what will be included in your final product. If a wedding planner is involved, information technology is likely you will take more than than one dominate. Y'all may come to the table with a package or, perhaps, several to choose from, only be open and flexible to the needs of the family. They might asking airport inflow video of international guests or underwater coverage of a scuba wedding ceremony. Maxim yes to an unusual asking might country yous the chore and secure the shoot of a lifetime.

Of class, most typical weddings will have fixed parameters around fourth dimension, events, equipment, and personnel. Volition you be covering the rehearsal dinner? Do they want video of the bride and groom in their respective dressing rooms, readying themselves for the large day? Will they want you to stay for the complete reception or do they merely demand coverage of the ceremony, the cutting of the cake, and the start trip the light fantastic toe? The length of the twenty-four hour period and the location of each event are important factors to consider as you create your equipment checklist and assemble your crew. If you are working within a limited budget, this volition dictate some of your choices. Be very clear with your client about what yous will capture and how much you volition be paid to practice information technology properly. After all details and contingencies take been discussed, an understanding signed by both parties becomes the foundation from which to formulate your plan.

Information technology is possible to shoot a wedding by yourself, but a capable assistant can make all the deviation. He or she tin can handle a second camera when needed, proceed batteries charged and gear up, oversee recording media, and exist available to bargain with any unforeseen tasks. At that place will besides exist location changes, strikes, and setups to bargain with. A larger coiffure and a third or fifty-fifty fourth camera might be required. Having someone to upload and back up captured video is an of import consideration. They might also be tasked with logging the clips every bit they salvage them. Retaining a responsible and well-trained crew allows you lot to concentrate on existence a videographer. And knowing yous take all the critical shots covered from at least 1 other angle will continue you calm and focused.

The Gear List

Along with the proper personnel, you will want the correct equipment to do the job correct. While there is no perfect number when it comes to cameras, the recommended minimum is ii of the same or very similar camcorders on lightweight, sturdy tripods. Cheque out our a rticle on choosing a photographic camera, Which Video Camera is Best for You?

A third handheld camcorder is an excellent addition if you have the coiffure and upkeep to justify the extra expense. Since you will be editing the final product using video from all available sources, it is very helpful to take cameras that capture the same format, are well matched, and properly counterbalanced.

Lighting is a crucial component of whatever video production. A small-scale lite kit like the Impact Qualite 300 2 Lite Kit, the Smith -Victor KT750LED two-Light Umbrella Kit, or the uLite 3 Light Lighting Kit will cover you for most situations. Withal, a wedding ceremony and reception are not typical shoots. Therefore, most lights you utilize must be carefully placed. Bounce your lights off walls and ceilings where possible, and utilize softboxes or improvidence when directly lighting is required—these techniques volition provide you lot with aplenty calorie-free. In many cases, y'all will not want to use whatever lights at all, since they can have a major impact on the desired ambience of the event. Some other option is having a pocket-size camera-mounted light, such as Genaray LED-5300 120 LED Dimmable Compact On-Camera Light, to use in certain situations, such every bit interviews during the cocktail hour. This is something to discuss with the client before the wedding date. Scouting locations ahead of fourth dimension volition provide invaluable information for basing decisions on lighting, as well equally other factors.

Impact Qualite 300 Focusing Alluvion 2 Calorie-free Kit

Coming upwards with a comprehensive plan for recording sound will likely be the most idea-provoking element of your wedding ceremony shoot. You volition want to capture skillful ambience audio of the guests equally they "ooh" and "ah" the bride walking down the alley, or clink their glasses in a toast to the newlyweds. Your onboard shotgun microphone will likely provide adequate coverage of the crowd noise, but a well-placed digital recorder, such as aZoom H6 orTascam DR-forty is another good option. In fact, a digital recorder will come in handy in many instances. You can place information technology on the altar or lectern during the recitation of the vows, or on the bride and groom's tabular array during the reception dinner, to capture candid remarks.

Following the ceremony, the reception presents yous with a variety of options for recording audio. At that place will be toasts and speeches, then a handheld wireless microphone, such as the Sennheiser ew 135-p G3 Organization with an 835 Handheld Mic, tin be a very useful piece of equipment, and it comes with XLR and i/8" output cables for connecting to your photographic camera's mic input.

Sennheiser ew 135-p G3 Camera Mount Wireless Microphone System with 835 Handheld Mic

Taking a line out from the PA system will often be your cleanest and about reliable sound feed, but a backup of some sort, even if it's the shotgun microphone on one of your cameras, is essential. Be sure to have audio cables of various lengths and a variety of adapters, such as XLR, 1/4", RCA and 1/8" mini connectors. Monitoring your audio with a good pair of headphones, like the Sony MDR-7506 or the Senal SMH-1000, is essential.

Senal SMH-yard Professional Field and Studio Monitor Headphones

Once all of your equipment needs have been met, create a checklist for each wedding ceremony yous book and go over information technology thoroughly the nighttime before the shoot. In addition to cameras, lights, audio gear, and hardware, brand sure to take an adequate supply of cables, adapters, batteries, chargers, power strips, cords, and recording media. Other essential items include gaffer tape and a tool kit.

Making Professional Connections

In addition to your own coiffure, you will need to make contact with and coordinate your shoot around the other professionals working the wedding. The wedding planner, if there is one, tin assist you. In that location will most certainly be a photographer whose needs will almost mirror yours. Contact that person alee of time, if possible, or early the day of the wedding at the latest. Inquire about their schedule and shot listing to discuss how yous tin best coordinate your efforts.

The DJ is also someone with whom you lot will need to touch base of operations as early on as you tin can. As well the toasts and the cutting of the cake, you will need to be in position to capture the tossing of the bouquet and garter belt. Have at to the lowest degree two cameras set up for the offset trip the light fantastic toe, which you can easily set for if you've coordinated with the DJ.

Personal contact with the musicians is besides a good idea. Though you lot may already be enlightened of a live band or a soloist, checking in with them ahead of time is a courtesy that volition not go unnoticed, and you tin ask them to cue you when they are ready to brainstorm.

Be Thorough

In that location is often much to exercise fifty-fifty hours before the guests arrive. Have at least ane camera ready to roll as flowers arrive and are arranged on tables. There volition be programs and guest books, trays of champagne glasses, and platters of food. Get equally many beauty shots as possible for cutaways and a montage.

If you are to cover the bride and groom getting ready, 1 handheld camera in each location is all-time. Be sure to catch as many details as you can. Shoot the hair and makeup, the ribbons and shoes for the bride and her entourage. The tying of bow ties and the last-minute nerves of the groom and groomsmen will assistance build the visual momentum of the occasion. You will only need background sound, so your onboard shotgun microphone will suffice for this.

As the guests brainstorm to arrive and the events start to unfold, be ready to capture anything "special" or out of the ordinary. The arrival of a twelve-door stretch limo or a military machine contingent in total clothes uniform volition be wonderful additions to a video that volition stand up alone in its uniqueness.

In Conclusion

With time, yous will develop your own methods and style of capturing the wedding day. There are some basic rules, though, that volition help you get off to a adept start. Early in the 24-hour interval, set up and secure any light stands you lot will be using. After checking the lights and taping down whatever power cords, remove the heads for condom and keep them nearby for piece of cake setup when you need them. Claim your ceremony spaces by setting up your tripods well in advance. Be certain to take a wide embrace shot, high enough to shoot over the audience members when they stand up. Make certain you tin can always come across the bride's face from at least one photographic camera from the time she enters the ceremony until she leaves. Be sure to get cutaways of the parents of the bride and groom, every bit well as any important relatives or dignitaries. Prepare an interview surface area in the reception space. The parents, best human being, and maid of award are a must!

If you demand boosted aid choosing equipment for an especially high-profile wedding or event, visit the B&H SuperStore in New York Urban center, conversation with our sale professionals online via Live Chat or contact us by telephone at 1-800-606-6969.