Pictures of Life wrote:
Had 2 camcorders, 2 DSLRs and 2 audio recorders. Spent plenty of hours practicing, shooting on site, coordinated with the DJ, hid the microphones in the decorations to not upset the pictures, practiced the entire event with my assistant. That was the easy part.

Out of curiosity, did you have to buy this stuff (the camcorders and audio recorders especially) or was it somehow available for you to use (especially borrowed from someone or somewhere)?

Lovely Day Media wrote:
How many of you who are not videographers have ever shot a wedding video (perhaps as a favor to someone, especially a relative)? Did you enjoy the experience? Would you do it again? Were you happy with the results?

In case anyone wanted to know, I ask because my sister asked me to shoot my niece's (her daughter) wedding. I told her I didn't own a video camera so she said she'd buy one. I had exactly 1 day to figure out how to use the thing.  I didn't enjoy myself because I have no idea how to really shoot video footage in such a way to make a compelling completed video.

Add to this that they had vague instructions (they didn't know what they wanted) and fixed rules (stand here, don't move an inch, etc). I knew the results would suck so I wasn't happy with the results before I even shot them.

I'd do it again, but only if I have carte blanche to do things as I see fit. At least if the resulting video sucks, it'll suck on my terms.

Lovely Day Media wrote:
I told her I didn't own a video camera so she said she'd buy one. I had exactly 1 day to figure out how to use the thing.  I didn't enjoy myself because I have no idea how to really shoot video footage in such a way to make a compelling completed video..

..really?

Karl JW Johnston wrote:
Why not refer her to someone who knows what they're doing, ...or if it's a money thing for you.. subcontract someone who knows what they're doing and won't make a royal fuck up of it all? Which is likely what will happen if you do it, I mean seriously..

Lovely Day Media wrote:
I told her I didn't own a video camera so she said she'd buy one. I had exactly 1 day to figure out how to use the thing.  I didn't enjoy myself because I have no idea how to really shoot video footage in such a way to make a compelling completed video..

Karl JW Johnston wrote:
..really?

The truth is I've already done it. The wedding was at the end of May. My niece decided when she first planned her wedding that she was hiring someone else to be her photographer. She didn't ask me what I would deliver for what price. I thought I'd just go to the wedding, leave my camera at home (or at least in the car trunk) and enjoy things.

2 days before the wedding, her mother decides she wants a video and since she's technically part of the wedding party, she can't shoot the video herself. Since I'm the only one with an S on my chest ... I get to do the job.  I told her the resulting video is going to suck vs a professional because I have no idea what makes for compelling video footage, I'm using bottom of the barrel consumer grade equipment and I only had 1 day to learn how to use this camera. She said it didn't matter what I got or how as long as I got something.

To me, this says she didn't want to pay out any real money. The camcorder was roughly $350 but everything after that was free because she's not going to give me a dime for anything.  Since I'm not getting a dime, there is no possible way I'm going to subcontract to someone who knows what they're doing as I won't expect anyone else to work free of charge.

If the resulting video ended up being a complete F up (and certainly it would be), I wouldn't feel responsible because I'm a photographer (as opposed to videographer), I had 1 day to learn everything I could and I wasn't getting a dime, thank you, pat on the back or anything else for my time and effort. I'd have done far better if they had asked me to be a 2nd shooter as I'm way more familiar with my own camera but that's not what they wanted.  Since it's not what they wanted, it's not what they got.

She/they wanted me to edit this video footage, too, but I said no way. If they really want it edited, I'm sure they can find someone who will do it for them. Now she says she doesn't want it edited ... she just wants it on a DVD. That's great, too, but between the footage I shot and the footage someone else shot, there is 12 GB of information. That won't fit on a 4.7 GB DVD and I don't know anyone who has a blu ray burner.

ontherocks wrote:
getting bad wedding video is so easy even a wedding guest could do it. and they do. they all wave their giant iPads around.

i can see getting little clips to mix in with stills at animoto.

When I do my normal thing, this is what I do ... mostly stills and a few short video clips here and there for the important things (like vows, cutting the cake, etc). At this particular event, they in effect asked me to not bring my camera so I could use theirs.