Why video tape your Wedding?
Imagine what it be like to watch the story of your parent’s, or even your grandparent’s wedding. Most couples say their wedding day went by so fast that they could hardly remember everything that happened. Not surprisingly, one of the biggest regrets couples experience after their wedding is their decision not to have professional video. A wedding is full of once-in-a-lifetime moments that should be documented and relived with future generations. And while photography is able to capture singular moments, there is simply no substitute for a living, breathing account of one of the most defining events of your life. It is a powerful way to be instantly transported back to wonderful day you said I do.
Why shouldn't you just have a friend do it for free?
There is a massive difference between home video and a professionally-produced video. Your friend or relative may have great intentions, but it’s very unlikely they have the equipment (professional cameras, editing gear...) that a professional has. Unless they know how to edit the video they shoot chances are you are going to be spending more time fast fowarding and less time watching. Your wedding story is simply too important to leave to chance.
How do you know which videographer is right for you?
Finding the right videographer is no easy task. We encourage you to do your homework, shop around, and find the videographer that best suits your needs. We feel confident we’re among the best of the best, not only in our area, but throughout the industry. However, we understand that people make decisions for different reasons and we want our clients to feel 100% certain that we’re right for the job.
What you are going to get from us is Creativity and uniqueness. Every wedding is different so each wedding video should reflect that bride and groom. We will spend time with you finding out what is unique about your wedding day. We also believe wedding videos should not all contain cheese hart transitions but should be shot and edited in a creative timless fasion.
If you’re looking for a huge Hollywood production, we’re not the people to do it. If you’re looking for basement bargain video, we’re not that either. But if you want someone who’s going to LISTEN, inspire CREATIVITY, and give your wedding story the attention it deserves, then definitely give us a call.
What makes us so different from all the other videographers out there?
Creativity, we don't have a template that we shove every wedding into. We want your wedding video to be a accurate reflection of your day. Being a great videographer requires a lot more than just knowing how to operate equipment. It requires attention to miniscule details, an ability to get along with just about anyone, the physical ability to get demanding shots, and the LISTENING SKILLS to be able to capture the story. Most often, we simply let our work speak for itself. We take pride in making every video special we are not trying to pump out as may videos as we can each year. To make sure that your video is a one of a kind video we only so may video a year so spot fill quickly.
What distinguishes a "high end" video from a "low end" video?
High end videos require no excuses and capture the day’s essential moments. The sound is clear and crisp, the images have accurate color and the camerawork is smooth. The pace is quick and captivating, never dragging on longer than necessary. Special effects are content driven, not just used because they "look neat". Mostly, the difference between a well produced, professional video and a low-end job should be obvious by your reaction to it - you either hate it or you love it.
How do we prepare for your wedding day?
We start by meeting with you to find out what is important to you. We also attend your wedding rehersal to know where is the best place to be situated during the wedding. Also we discuss with the officant, his or her preferances for our placement during the wedding ceremony. Our goal is to cover your wedding day without drawing undo attention to ourselves.
What will our presence be like at your wedding?
Much of this is up to you. Whether you want us on the alter with you or hidden in the balcony, it’s your call. We work with you to figure out the approach that best suits your style. In general, we are very sensitive to what’s going on around us. We have a keen sense for when to move and when to stay put. Always, our primary concern is making you and guests feel comfortable.
Will bright lights and long cables overpower your wedding?
The last thing we want to do is turn your wedding into a Hollywood production. We use a very discrete setup, involving no cables or overpowering lights. Our cameras do an excellent job of picking up quality images in low-light situations and we use a small light only when necessary.
How do we work with photographers?
Our goal in working with any photographer is to negotiate where each of us will be working and what to expect from one another. Largely, we base our approach on YOUR preferences. We do have Photographers that we have done wedding with and have established a repote, some of them are listed on our links page.
How long are our finished videos?
Typically, our finished videos will last no longer than 35-60 minutes for a Wedding Story Video. Don’t be fooled into thinking that a longer video means a better video. Rather, a longer video generally means a lot more fast-forwarding through the boring parts. How many times do you want to relive a reading, how many hours of dancing can you stand to watch? We believe the length of a video should be determined by the value of your content and not by an unwritten rule that says your video should be at least 2 hours long. Our "Traditonal Wedding Video" lasts anywhere from 60-120 depending largely on the length of your ceremony.
Your video will be viewed by you before the final draft is made so that you can have imput on any changes that you would like to make. Please note however that not all changes are possible but we work very hard to make you happy. Because a happy you makes a happy us.
Why is the right music so important to your wedding video?
Music sets the tone for your entire video. We’ve seen wedding videos that rely on the same music over and over again, regardless of the emotional content of the scene. Oftentimes we’ll wonder why so many videographers just assume that everyone’s a Kenny G fan. (We are not.) Music is a very personal thing. We believe that it needs to reflect you and your day.
Do we allow clients to be involved in the editing process?
We feel that as artists we’re selling much more than a smorgasbord of different video clips. We take pride in our abilities to edit a captivating and visually pleasing story and we want our clients to appreciate and trust our creative instincts. For this reason, we generally don’t allow anyone else to be involved in the editing process. Rest assured, we make every effort to gather detailed information beforehand so we know exactly what and what not to include in your finished production. Still, we realize the potential for error and therefore offer our clients up to two hours of additional editing after the project has been finished.
How long will it take to finish your video?
Typically, videos will take between 8-16 weeks to complete depending on the season. It is not uncommon for us to spend upwards of 50 hours editing a video. The only thing we guarantee is that it will be worth your wait!
How soon before your wedding should you contact us?
Popular summer dates fill up quickly. We recommend booking as soon as possible.
Why should I book with Samuel Jonathan Films?
* Two videographers = better coverage = better video.
* Great camerawork.
* Meticulous editing (over 40 hours worth).
* We tell your story - no two videos we produce are ever the same.
* You will absolutely love your video for years and years and years and years and years and years to come (that's a pretty long time).
Do you use DVDs?
Yes! Every wedding we do the final product is on DVD with a personalized menu of your wedding day, unless other arragements are made.
