Hiring a professional videographer for your wedding can be your best investment, or a disaster. I'm stating "professional" because I would not suggest letting a friend or family member videotape your wedding unless this person is wanting to get into this business. However I would not rely on this person's work to be your final product.

A professional is someone that is videotaping for a living or a serious part timer. Someone who is actively videotaping weddings each month will know what to videotape to make a good video. This person should be able to help you make some decisions by suggesting how the ceremony might take place, what looks good and what doesn't look good for your wedding video.

A professional will know who to talk to about these suggestions so as not to step on anyone's toes and doesn't interfere with the wishes of the officiant and the bride and groom. In other words, if this person is videotaping several weddings each year, they have seen what works and what doesn't work. These are only suggestions made by the videographer. Where should you look for a professional videographer? Talk with your friends that are married. Talk with other wedding vendors, like photographers, reception facilities, DJs. Those people have seen them work at other weddings. Other places to look are web sites that deal with wedding: QC Brides, QC Weddings, The Knot, Ultimate Wedding, etc. Bridal Expos, local directories, and WEVA (Wedding & Event Videographers Association) www.weve.com are additional places to find videographers. Then comes the fun part - narrowing down your selection to 3-4 videographers. Remember, this videographer will make a big impact on your wedding day. He/she will hand you a video that you can treasure for the rest of your life and a video that you will gladly watch over and over again. This video will make you cry and laugh each time you watch it, and you'll see or hear something different each time. Choosing the videographer that you feel comfortable and confident with is very important. Don't treat it as just someone who will videotape your wedding. There is much more involved in shooting and editing one of the most important days in your life.

A professional videographer will have several weddings for you to view. LOOK AT THEM. However, don't rely on pretty literature, price, or the videographer's "sales pitch". Too many brides, and sometimes grooms, go price hunting. Price is a factor; however, know what you are saying YES or NO to. Whether you are quoted $200. - $2000, you don't know what you are getting. That's why I said LOOK AT THEM. Either go to the videographer's place of business or have them come to your location to view some weddings or portions of them. Don't just look at demos. They are usually just the best video parts of weddings. Everyone has some best parts. Look at the real wedding, not in it's entirety, of course. However, having the complete wedding there gives you the opportunity to see portions of the wedding that interest you. After all your questions are answered, don't think that you have to make a decision at that time unless you have already seen 3-4 other videographers' work. I even encourage the bride, groom, and families to view other's work. That way when you make your decision, you will feel more confident. There is one other item to consider when meeting with a professional videographer. Meet with the person that will be videotaping your wedding, not just the owner. Also see their work, not just a video from the videographer's business. Make sure that you are comfortable with that person too. A videographer and a photographer will be around you all day and if the person makes you uncomfortable, it will show on the video and pictures. Ask, if that person just works for the specific owner or does he/she freelance. That means a lot, because that person needs to get the correct footage in order for the editor to do his or her job.

There are several other things to look for when hiring a professional videographer like:

· How many weddings do they video each year? - More doesn't always mean better. However, if this person really likes video taping weddings, he/she wants and looks to improve with each wedding.

· What type of equipment do they use and do they have backups? - Most professionals are using digital video cameras nowadays - no generation loss thru editing and copying. However, the person behind the camera is very important.

· Important: ask for 4-5 referrals - if they don't like to give out names - walk out - there are other videographers out there. Most brides and grooms would love to show n' tell about their wedding video and the decision they made when hiring a particular videographer (or any other vendor) In my opinion, the most important factors in looking for a professional videographer are talking with other brides and grooms, meeting with 3-4 videographers, and seeing their work (regardless of price - there has to be a difference between $200 & $2000). Don't get pressured to make a decision at the time of viewing, and get referrals from all videographers. If those referrals were very satisfied with their decision, they would hire that person again. Mark that down in your plus column.Tom's Videography

Tom Harlan
175 145th St
Seaton, IL 61476
309-586-4111
tharlan2@earthlink.net