Is The Wedding Film Industry in Trouble?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 มิ.ย. 2024
- Is the wedding film industry in trouble? And if so? How do we get out of it?
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What do you guys think about this? Drop em below! ⬇️
In my opinion filming service was provided by the photo company.
@@wedworkflow ooo I love a good twist. It’s possible but I don’t think so because they did comment about advocating for a video and they still didn’t want it. I’m sure they would have bundled that category together if that were the case. I wish!
I strongly agree with Jolindsay’s message. As videographer my self Videographers do become a distraction on a wedding day, especially if they do not shoot candidly. A high budget wedding like this any videographer would of been so extra in getting there shots and would of not managed it on there own . The couple are clearly smart and wanted a less stressed wedding. I truely understand why they did not have video.
I think there were a lot og great points made here, however I do have one opinion on this overall. The whole premise of this video is based on one instagram post from a company that just started posting on Instagram late of last year. Not only that but that seems to be the only post where the videography budget was non-existant. The posts right before this one shows great examples of videographers being booked for the events. So without that post the scare factor of this video would be without substance, but the post itself is not a good indicator of the market at all.
I enjoy the message of how it's probably a good move to switch the style of filming and editing over to a focus of raw and real, and I don't think you needed non-existant scare factor to deliver that message. Just my thoughts on the matter, and after saying all this, I suppose the video strategy worked since I'm commenting and engaging haha! Thanks for reading.
@@markchapman369 I totally understand this perspective. I think what this situation unveils is a larger problem that has existed in the industry for a while. And that problem being the overall perceived value of a wedding video being significantly less than other vendors and opens the door to a larger discussion about how we can get better at demonstrating a stronger value through a more relatable and genuine lens vs focusing solely on superfluous means. I can see where this being based around one post and one situation would be a case for inconclusiveness but I think it just reveals what’s been present.
What I've been preaching for the few years I've been a wedding videographer is that no one cares that two people got married. No one connects with a music video with pretty visuals and no story. There has to be a reason these two people are getting married and surrounded by all their loved ones who they've meticulously decided are important enough to be there with them. Not many people connect with slow motion shots at sunset, or "Vogue" style shots of a bride looking into the camera all sultry-like. Sure there's a market for that, but what matters 20 years in the future Are the stories passed down in the family, the people who were important, and the moments that happened not only on the wedding day, but throughout people's lives between the couple and their people. I think it's so important to understand that because like Mac from Hello Tomorrow says, "The wedding isn't the story, it's the setting of the story", and merely showing a highlight reel of "a wedding day" without some semblance of character development and plot (why these people decided to get married and invite these other people to the wedding), it's just "another wedding (music) video with pretty visuals", and people don't connect with that.
Bingo
Taking notes on this one! Thanks for sharing your insight. I'm new to wedding videography and am trying to focus on the meaningful moments of the couple's wedding day, rather than on cool or vogue shots. After all, it's all about them, not about me or my preferred style.
thats why i like the way Justin Porter does wedding videography. It's way different from traditional wedding videography.
and not only that, as is said in the video essay, videography is sort of a burden, it's obtrusive and it takes time away from the day in a way that photography doesnt. I am often hired to shoot in a fly on the wall style, and other than a handful of posed group family shots, and a handful of posed couple shots, the rest of the time i'm basically invisible. So I think maybe some people just choose to avoid the hassle of working with a videographer. Interesting video essay and interesting point made
While this is true, there is more than just that meh music video. There's the ceremony and speeches video(s). THOSE are important and will be looked back at more than the vogue music video. When I shoot weddings (which isn't too often anymore) I stress that the speeches and ceremony are filmed.
Been married over 25 years and we still watch our crappy wedding video every year on our anniversary and relive the day. Haven't looked at the photos in decades. The key was that the videographer just documented the day instead of crafting some silly story. The sights, sounds, and people are 100% authentic and it was a TON of fun!
Thanks you so much for sharing! I love hearing this perspective. It’s so helpful and useful to hear. ♥️
This is so true - I'm trying to stay away from the usual lazy transitions and effects. Just spend your time trying to record the relevant or important information. Put it together in a logical and easy way to digest. So much better for my brain and ultimately my clients.
My #1 selling point is AUDIO. When you have photos of a first look, you don’t know what’s said. Pictures of a ceremony? Still don’t know what’s said. Having audio really takes you back to the wedding day.
Audio is pivotal!!
Yes
The wedding industry was so difficult for me. I hate it. I admire those of you who have made it work for yourself
because nowadays a wedding video is a set of stereotypes and templates, these are pics that come to life with added movement. There is nothing valuable in the endless groom adjustments of a tie and the bride touching her dress .
Clients want to see emotions and real life, some moments that not everyone saw at weddings, something unique and memorable.
Those who do this will definitely have clients, the question is how they can break through tons of template videos.
Some people don’t even book a photographer and just a videographer. There’s a market for everything don’t over think it.
My name is Mr Over thinker
Great video mate, I think you broke this down very well and covered all angles. As a videographer who's been doing this for 18 years, its fair to say that things have been continually evolving over this time. I've seen videographers come and go who don't move with the times and recognise change. I for one am trying to evolve my style in this past year to capture and focus on more 'real' and candid moments and not the cinematic shots captured during the photo shoot. It wasn't that long ago that capturing beautiful cinematic shots like that on the technology available to us videographers was impossible, so its no wonder why we've become obsessed with capturing these staged 'cinematic' moments. But with the advent of mobile phones, social media and the thirst for seeing real movements over staged moments, its time that we all start to evolve our stills and try and focus on capturing and showing what is real, and the only way to do that is to make a great connection with the couple and family so that they feel comfortable being them selves around you and your camera. Inspiring change this is. Keep it up everyone!
Alright I got to rant about this so here’s a long post:
I’m pretty new to wedding films (started in 2022, went full time a few months ago, leaving my RN position) and quickly saw a lot of the stereotypes flooding the wedding film market. I’m a TH-cam nerd and will binge watch a topic of interest as well as read and experiment. So I watched A LOT of wedding films and educational courses and it felt like I was watching the same film and learning the same thing over and over again. Like you I also am guilty of all the trends I attempted and am now trying to run from.
Look I know I’m the new guy here but even I felt like we were all making basically the same glamorous highlight film/music video with a sprinkle of recorded and ambient audio. So recently I decided to do some deep diving into what inspires me about movies and documentaries.
I realized I wasn’t inspired by these cheesy copy cat wedding films but by the unique stories every wedding has. We have many couples getting married…but they all didn’t get to the alter the same way and I want to explore that. So we started pushing for interviews with our couples. We’re still learning the craft but honestly the interview is my new favorite part of the day. You learn about them, what makes them unique, their quirks, their ups and downs…everything! Now when I go film the rest of the day I know what to pay attention to (well…we have a better idea after since we usually do 1 - 2 consultations before the big day). Call it a short documentary but honestly chasing stories this openly instead of making one up has truly inspired me and made me feel a true filmmaker. Not every couple or vendor understands the interview idea and looks at us weird when we are looking for a great spot to interview and not a great spot to film a stationary ring shot. But my couples that do the interviews are crazy about their story, and I find we our little film business is slowly starting to be known for it. I just hope the more doc style films I put out in my local market the better light storytelling will be shed in. It’s on us as filmmakers to educate and demonstrate the power of film audio and good storytelling. It will future proof us and make the world a more beautiful place.
Sorry rant is over, thanks for another great video.
Sincerely, the new guys!
I LOVE THIS! this goes to show that the stereotype exists for a reason and even as a newbie, this is what customers are seeing and basing their decision off of. I know we are still a baby in the industry and we WILL get to a level where wedding films are a non negotiable for the majority. But it’s going to take an army of passion driven storytellers who care deeply about elevating the industry and making films through a truly bespoke and authentic lens to get there. We can do it!! Appreciate you and this thoughtful post 💪
Wow this is an amazing idea, wish nothing but success to you!
These industry commentaries are extremely valuable. Even though I’m not in photo work, thank you for sharing.
As a wedding photographer, this is also a big wakeup call and a reminder of how it is I approach my style of photography. Tomorrow, I have a big event, and I'm actually going to be handling video. @waywardnorth, I appreciate your take on this and the questions that you asked. Those are to be analyzed and processes. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Great points Jaried!
Thanks for making this video and sharing. I've been filming weddings since 2003 and it's interesting to see trends and client requests shifting back to things I was doing at the start of my career (like guest interviews). I disagree that wedding videography is in its infancy, it's been around for a long time. Clients clearly value photo more than video, as shown by the fact that they will pay way more for photo. Changing that is beyond me. I'm glad that videographers don't have to beg for crumbs and follow the photography like a sad puppy dog anymore - like when I started in 2003. Videographers are seen as artists with more respect, similar to a photographer now, but still not at the same level. The photographer is still seen as the lead. And still gets paid like the lead. I'm not complaining, but it's just the fact. Sure there are rare cases where a couple hires us and says video is the most important thing to them, and they have a non-pro photographer take pictures, but it's rare and usually a low budget wedding anyway. All that to say, I think you're right that videographers need to find a way to be valuable to couples or they will be in trouble.
"We're capturing real life moments. We're not trying to manufacture something that didn't exist." 🎯 So good, dude!
If more videographers would hear that and really take it to heart, it would change how they document weddings (and relieve some stress from them, too). A wedding day is not a film set. Just capture what's happening, and the story will unfold as it will. That approach to wedding videography is what most couples seem to be gravitating towards now, and I'm here for it.
Another great video, Jaired!
Thanks so much man! Say it again for the folks in the back, "a wedding day is NOT a film set." I totally agree, we are seeing the shift play out in real time and Im with you, Im here for the journey!
I have found that people generally either fall into two categories:
1) they are 1000% sure they NEED a video to watch down the line or
2) they are the type of people who firmly state they would never watch it back themselves and don't see the point in getting it because they can't display it in their homes like a photo.
I do both photo/video so I always advise people get a video if they think there is even a remote chance they'll watch it in the future, but frankly those who come in not wanting it typically have their minds made up so I don't spend a lot of time trying to sell them on it. So many couples do want the coverage and I think it is becoming even more popular to have it included.
I totally get it and I know how exhausting it can be feeling like a broken record trying to advocate and express the value and power of Video. But for some couples, they don’t feel the connection, they can appreciate it from a distance but aren’t tethered emotionally. And it happens and will continue to happen UNTIL we can break through that wall
I started off my career shooting wedding videos back in 2006/2007. Even back then, I used to say it was the last thing on couples’ minds, but it was the number one thing they regret not having. (If they did not have it). I’ve since left the wedding industry years ago to focus on editing, but kinda strange to see that not much has really changed…!
I’ve found(at least in my area) a lot of photographers offer an add on “video package” that’s like a super brief, barely edited highlight montage. Which is a huge bummer because to be honest they’re usually pretty terrible.
Yeah that’s a real bummer and doesn’t cater towards elevating the wedding film experience at all imo
This should be a reality check for videographers, couples don't care about production value nearly as much as videographers do. They want a true to life capture of what was going on rather than an overdone 5 minutes montage.
Or “photography” included the video in their budget breakdown.
Trends will continue in the wedding video industry. I started in 2009 (15 years ago) and while Philip bloom style canon 5d videos were starting to take off, my clients simply just wanted their event captured long form and get footage of the day. The videos were an hour long or even more and people loved just getting all this content. Flash forward years later we give them a 5-10 minute video for 2-5k that barely shows large portions of the day that couples I’m sure want to see and maybe couples are realizing this. Is the raw long form videos making a comeback? Maybe party rock and Gangnam style will be popular again too
Great perspective! Thank you so much for sharing
I feel it comes down to consumer value. The value photography has in our society/industry has been elevated at such a level, it’s almost too big to fail.
One day, I feel video will be there but we must continue to promote ourselves like we are currently doing. If we look at the big picture progress as a community, we’ve made HUGE strides in a very short amount of time. It’s only a matter of time, patience and continuing to elevate the community.
Totally agree! Photo has just been in the game longer and we are still growing and learning. We are MAKING HUGE STRIDES and I love to see it. And you are so right, it all comes down to what couples value.
A lot of folks i speak to are just happy to have their guests send them their phone footage when it comes to video... its certainly a less expensive option for couples on a budget.
We've also been conditioned to see life in short duration 9x16 format, sadly.
Excellent video my friend, appreciate and resonate with your sentiment here.
Thanks for the kind words and for taking the time!
The future of the industry will be IMAGERY. This will include photos, film, social media and audio all provided under the same umbrella rather than contracting multiple vendors and having multiple bodies roaming about on the wedding day competing for shots. Imagery will be captured and provided by the videographers. Most photographers will try and transition over but many will quit deeming it too difficult to lug around gimbals, tripods, lighting and audio equipment.
I would said that as a Bride to marry in 2 months we didn’t choose a videographer because we do not want to have a camera polluting around, I have seeing in recent wedding that we have attended too that it seams almost that catching the best shot is more important than the event itself, we just want to be in the moment without feeling the pressure of being aware of a camera recording around, we feel that having a camera in between just takes away the authenticity of the moment. Yes, it will look great when you put the film together but we are going to be the ones seeing the camera in our memories all around, and We just don’t what to remember our day like that.
❤
Thanks for sharing! This is part of the concern we see in the industry as well when it comes to perception. Couples watch how video teams operate at weddings and that generally informs their decision for their own wedding but not all videographers are cut from the same cloth. I hate that you feel the videographer would impose negatively on the day for you and your day but I totally understand why you feel that way. Out of curiosity did you hire a photographer?
Yes we did! 😂
I've just started in the wedding video game. I shoot a documentary style ( highlight films in my profile) would love to get an honest opinion on some of them.
As someone who has shot his fair share of weddings…… no budget is the general consensus. Even the salkins fired Richard donner after superman 1 and decided they could do the rest for free. Hey it’s just some guy with a camera after all, right?
I’m a wedding photographer and I also do some wedding films here n there and we didn’t get a videographer with our wedding last year. Could not afford it or justify it. Videos don’t go on my walls, and I feel like we would watch it a few times and that’s the end of it.
Unfortunately videographers are doing themselves a dis-service with the latest high end style highlight films. They are so fast cut, they feel like a montage of still photos. The video feels removed from the day and too flashy. This is why content creators are getting traction. It is not about quality, it is about realism. We are not delivering that. Video always trumps photos as it tells a bigger story but videographers are trying to make movies, not a "real story" of ordinary peoples special day.
I don’t believe guilt-shaming wedding videographers to step up is the answer. I’m not surprised a presumably wealthy couple didn’t hire a videographer. There’s a lot of wealthy couples that are private and don’t want to show off their wealth, especially on social media. I know this, because I have family that married into wealth. I find it extremely hypocritical of that photographer suggesting videographers are the ones that pull time away from the couple by taking them to a field to the side - photographers do the same! I say this as a Wedding Photographer & Videographer. My wife and I are duo and offer both services, so we don’t have to step on the toes of another photographer or videographer. Staged moments ARE okay. If the couple only wants authentic shots, you give them or authentic shots, or be honest that you might not be a good fit for them. You can make staged moments feel authentic. It’s called directing and selling the moment as an experience, rather than a staged moment. As photographers and videographers in the industry, it’s our duty to sell the experience, not just the end product. My wife and I love our over the top staged video moments for our own wedding.
What are wedding videographers supposed to be with only ‘authentic’ shots? Severely underpaid low-budget documentarians? Wedding days are filled with staged moments. Signing marriage licenses, staged photos of bridal parties, cutting of the cake, etc. It’s our duty to capture the emotion in those staged moments, because that’s all the client will remember is how they felt in the moments. Obviously, with everything in life, balance is key. You don’t want to pull them away too much from the moment or from their family. But that is organization and having a timeline and open communication with the client well before their wedding day. I only pull clients away if it was on the schedule for me to. Having a good timeline with your client can give them realistic expectations of what to expect.
No guilt shaming here - thats not what this video nor channel is about so I do apologize thats the impression you received. Totally! I have couples that spend 20K on a wedding total who want their video private and thats totally cool with me! Its more about recognizing the VALUE that video has for your future family and how WE as a collective industry can get better at communicating and visually portraying that value. The GOAL and MISSION is to get better at capturing these moments through an authentic lens so that the stereotype of what some couples view wedding videos as currently can evolve and change. But I agree, you should always always factor in your couples wants and goals for their wedding and if thats what they want, provide that, no shame! You guys love your over the top staged video moments, you got what you wanted and thats great! As Im growing more and more in the industry, Im recognizing and seeing where couples are gravitating and what tends to degrade the value of how a wedding should feel. At the end of the day, it's a very subjective and polarizing topic but I appreciate the candid response! All the best ✌
@@brandonhartley8980 Absolutely, to a certain degree all weddings have become one big STAGED production. But the wedding day is just the SETTING, The value lies in how far we go to learn and capture the journey that led up to this bigger moment and then how we capture and create within that setting. Most of my gripes pertain with most wedding films that lack substance, heart, and STORY. Everything is captured on a gimbal, every shot is slowed down, no dialogue, just music, or videos that are too trendy, lack originality, or created for the sole purpose of achieving virality. At the end of the day everyone is free to create films that make them happy and who am I or We to say how someone should go about their own creative passions. Do what you wanna do - as long as you are serving your couples and over promising and over delivering on their expectations you're killing it in my opinion.
@@WaywardNorth No shade at your channel or video. I enjoy your content quite a bit, especially emphasizing the more audio the better. I’ve just worked with both video & photo for the industry and felt triggered by not your response or thesis, but some of the comments from other credible videographers and photographers you featured. I believe in balance and flow with wedding videos. I don’t think they should be a music video, but I also don’t think it’s wrong to have cinematic shots in front of gorgeous backdrops as b-roll over their vows or other sound bites. I film and shoot adventure elopements in Colorado. I get couples that fly out here to tie the knot because of the views, so it would feel crazy for me not to get a cinematic 60fps kiss of the couple a few steps away from where they said their vows. I believe “experience” is what we should sell above all. I had a couple tell me recently after their engagement shoot, “I honestly don’t care at this point how the photos or video turns out. We had such a fun time and doing these things made all of this start to hit me and feel real”. My wife and I are very selective with who we choose, we want to make sure it’s a good fit with the couple, especially with elopements. We make it fun, light, and natural, at the end of it, it almost feels like we were on a double date. In all seriousness, keep up with the great content. Love your work
@@brandonhartley8980 I didnt feel you were throwing shade at all, I appreciate the dialogue! I think its incredibly helpful and beneficial to share different perspectives. So I really appreciate you for sharing your thoughts and experiences in what you have found to be the best approach!
As a filmmaker, there were 2 wedding filmmakers I was interested in hiring - Eric Floberg or Justin Porter. I didn't have the budget for either, so I was willing to forego the video altogether, the only reason we're still going to have one is because my fiancé's mom wanted it, and was willing to pay for it.
I want to add - we opted to roll our video budget into our music budget, and were able to get live music as a result, which we’re very excited about.
Love this viewpoint even as a filmmaker yourself. I feel that a majority of folks are similar to you in regards to it being based around a financial decision. Both filmmakers listed here are experts at their craft and curate films that truly convey an authentically powerful story for every couple. This is probably a larger discussion about the unfortunate truth about the wedding industry as a whole and the pressure and stress it puts on a ton of people financially because I know for some it’s a deep need, for others it’s more about living within your means, and others don’t care at all. And that’s totally okay! Appreciate your post 🙏🏻
I strongly agree with Jolindsay’s message. As videographer my self Videographers do become a distraction on a wedding day, especially if they do not shoot candidly. A high budget wedding like this any videographer would of been so extra in getting there shots and would of not managed it on there own . The couple are clearly smart and wanted a less stressed wedding. I truely understand why they did not have video.
Oh for sure, it definitely depends on the experience level of the videographer, artistic approach and style, and I would say that is a realistic opinion for sure considering the high budget, Im sure most videographers at this level would go a bit overboard . My hope would be they would first and foremost lean on their couples goals for their video and day of experience but I know with a wedding at this magnitude, it would be easy to lose all sense of rationale. Great thoughts!
I think markets shifts and things that are over done get corrected over time. Culture will always influence art. When reality tv was a thing the weddings videos looked like Reality TV, all 30mins of it. Then social media came out and the wedding video form had to be packaged to fit it, so you ended up with 3-4 minute montages. It worked because people wanted to share their wedding content and the montage style has been tried and trusted as the genre for suspending emotions and feels. Maybe now it's switching to something new. Many people want their lives portrayed as important so maybe it's moving to something unique.
As a wedding curator, I ask myself, what would the couple want to see in 20 years. What are the images they'll want to pass on? Is it brushes and make up? I've found when considering the long game couples want some sunset shots with a strong creative to build around their love and their future. I think we could do both and or all. I'll never put down another creative for a method. It's just process. I think we need to be careful that we don't put ourselves out of business with a minimalist mindset. If you're just shooting what's going on then maybe the DJ company or an uncle can do their video for them. Someone will raise the question for sure.
Great thoughts and perspective here
I agree with this completely... but I will say, if you're a beginner in this industry I think it might be a bit difficult to break into it without the stereotypical style. I feel like it's necessary to get your foot in the door and then start layering and experimenting over top of it until it becomes less staged and more authentic. I think if you promise something different right out of the gate especially if you don't have a second shooter yet; you're gambling with an extremely important day to the couple. Unless your absolutely sure you can deliver on your promise, I recommend always getting the stereotypical stuff just to cover all your bases. I still get a ton of inquiries requesting that style and I just use the opportunity to try new things as I go so I can grow and start differentiating myself from the rest.
I love this perspective! I would challenge the idea that you may even have a better chance of breaking into through the more genuine and authentic captures. Now of course, if you brand new to filmmaking or photography altogether then yes I would agree and of course its easy for me to suggest you should only capture weddings through this lens. But you're right, most entry level weddings and couples are more attracted to the stereotypical wedding films but thats only because that's where we all started and cemented that stain into the fabric of wedding filmmaking. These will probably always exist. Experience elevates perspective and of course with any job theres an entry level position that everyone has to experience in order to get promoted. This is how our entry level looks and thats totally ok. Appreciate your perspective and viewpoints here!
My wedding videos are my greatest keepsake, the photos look pretty but the video allows us to relive the day ❤
I'm a wedding photographer and sometimes even high end weddings don't even hire a videographer. The reason people think of this because watching a wedding video if you get a long edit is boring but a highlight video is a lot of fun to watch. But long edits are also a lot of fun to watch ten years or twenty years later.
So video does have value but I'm not sure videographers are saying this to clients? My advice on your website the highlight reals tell people this at the end of the video offer a highlight video and a long edit and tell people why they are important to have.
All this said please remember to be respectful to the wedding photographer. Does not happen offend but ran into a few people that did not know what they was doing and tried to take control when doing the formals. There was one videographer that was sitting down and when the priest you may kiss the bride he stud up and blocked the photographer from getting the photo.
Any good videographer knows how to work with a photographer and there are no problems. I've only ran into a few problems nothing big that I would start a fight but don't ruin someone else job because now the photographer has to tell the couple why they missed that photo.
I never stage anything, both for video and photos. I let them be themselves.
I ask them to imagine a concept and let them play it out in their own way; I always get all the shots without tell them what to do.
I never post nor have time to advertise but always get more job than I can handle
Videos are superior to photos when it comes to memory recollection. But they are not a standard in the industry, yet. A photographer is a must a videographer is a plus. In the old days we had long form videos for every occasion of our lives filmed on camcoders or dslrs. Retelling stories, conversation and key moments of events and episodes of our lives. Sometimes they were done professionally other times they were done with a guy with a camera, a mere invitee or close relative.
But they were documentaries that poeple used to love to watch and rewatch as they got older. Nowadays its all so picture perfect and its over in 3 minutes. It looks like a music video with a version of yourself you don't even recognize. And I think that's the issue.
here in brazil we already live this reality... photo is super needed, and video sometimes are not even considered
I totally understand that - while its a bit more sought after in the States, its definitely been a more uncertain decision for some couples this year.
Whats interesting about the post that originated all this ( havent seen it) is they didnt break down the type of wedding, just costs?
May be shocking to a lot of folks but Indian weddings fall into this price category on the regular BUT its usually a multi day event with a much larger crowd.
I would chalk this up to a one off thing. The MAJORITY of people will want a wedding video.
One couple decides they don't want a video doesn't mean the end of wedding films lol
Not at all and thats not what I am saying here or the heart behind this open dialogue. Couples turn video away even at the base level but a majority do so because they don't have the money allocated for one. This is a couple with all the money in the world and proactively decided against it, even after seeing examples. Thats what I wanted to unpack here. What is it about those films, why didn't they resonate? The goal is elevate the film industry so we all can thrive and remove the stereotype that currently exists in the wedding film world. ✌
I’ve shot only 9 weddings in my short photography career. Two clients asked me if I can make a video for them, which I did to the best of my abilities, and the other 7 didn’t have a videographer at all at their weddings. Based on my personal experience and the story you’re bringing up, I don’t think people value wedding videos equally as photography.
They definitely don’t weigh them on the same scale at all. It’s a very interesting dynamic. From my experience, the playing field is leveling out but photography will be held to a higher esteem for a lot of people.
My opinion people will share their weddings pictures and look at them frequently compared to a wedding video. Ask yourself if you have a wedding video how often have you watched that compared to the photos ?
Totally, I think where so many get caught up with this mindset is thinking oh we won’t watch it but a few times when we get it. And I mean sure, but the wedding film itself isn’t for you in the here and now. It’s for you 10,20,30 years from now. That person will be yearning for a chance to relive their wedding day. The magic is in the long game, not short term gratification.
2m dollar wedding.. Could also be the case that some very important people might be there and the couple did not want to take chances with someone filming the wrong thing and it accidentally coming out. Photos are way more forgiving in that aspect even if the wrong photo comes out.
Wedding videographers deluded themselves into thinking they're filmmakers because it sounds cool. A wedding video is not a movie, its purpose is not a curated fiction film. In my opinion the purpose of a wedding videomaker is more akin to a news operator than a director. We're there to document what's going on and capture genuine interactions, not manufacture them because we have a checklist of "what looks good". Years from the day, people will not give a damn about 4K 120fps b-roll of the bride's dress or shoes or boquet, they'll care about seeing themselves laugh and cheer and cry along their loved ones. Also people probably don't care about seeing a cookie cutter music video. I know audio is a pain if you're on your own, but it makes all the difference. I worked in weddings and got out really fast because I dislike how overdone and fake the industry is (not just the media side, also the events themselves).
I would say there are some insanely talented wedding videographers out there that I would for sure classify as "filmmakers" because of how good their artistry is.
However, I do agree with you that whole wedding film industry has been overinflated to serve the artist and the ego more so than truly immortalizing a moment because we do create films that are manufactured, doctored, manipulated to create a message. Sometimes that message is built around a genuine place, oftentimes it is built around vanity.
I don't know that we can ever get back to a place of truly documenting life the way people did back in the 90s/2000s. But we can certainly get better at creating films from a genuine and authentic place. But it's going to take an army.
@@WaywardNorth I never doubted the skills of a lot of wedding videographers, I just don't think being a filmmaker is a matter of quality of one's work, but rather of purpose. In my opinion a filmmaker crafts a narrative beforehand and manufactures scenes to suit the narrative, while a videographer captures events as they unfold and only afterwards creates a narrative in the editing phase. I think the wedding video industry should go back to the latter approach, rather than trying to cram the former where it hardly fits (live events)
The problem here is too many wedding film makers are too much of an influence on the day without capturing natural moments. More often than not wedding films do not look like how their day was only full of posed shots with no actual wedding guests or even family
I agree, theres a ton of wedding films out there that like heart, character, and substance. That's why we need more thought leaders in this space with the heart for change and growth.
I do both photography and videography. From my standpoint videography will always be an add on to photography. A great one by the way.
Don‘t get me wrong. Wedding films are great, but they’ll always require a medium to watch them on, be it a tv, a tablet, a laptop or a smartphone.
Once a photo is printed and up on the wall you can look at it instantly. Forever. A printed photo will always be the quicker and easier way to remember a wedding day.
A well made wedding film however is much better to transport the emotions felt on that day, but I‘m pretty sure that couples will always prioritize photos over videos.
I‘m really interested in how my comment will have aged ten years from now. 😅
Honestly I think the reason a lot of couples don’t want a wedding video is simple because it has no value to them. It’s not something that will hang on your fridge or wallet. It’s something to watch back years down the road to relive the day or show the kids. Video is much more of an investment that photographs are IMO
but how do we know that the photographer also did the video stuff for them ...and mybe that is why they got paid 40k ? ....i know alot of photographer who can also do or provide videos ...so mybe they just put 0 cuz it was already covered in the price for the photo stuff ?
It’s more than filmmakers who are self serving. The entire industry is self serving. The DJ needs footage for his IG reel so he has his phone out. The Wedding planner needs footage for their IG reel, so they have their phone out. Hair and makeup need BTS footage so they have their phones out.
I do video and photos and never had issues. I’m pretty go with the flow, but watching how some of these IG photographers and videographers handle a wedding day by completely making about them annoys me sometimes.
I wouldn't be concerned about the film industry. In fact, it's quite the opposite! In 3-5 years, people will be able to extract thousands high-quality images from 6k-8k videos and colorize them in-one-click with AI. This will reduce the need for photographers, putting us in a strong position with our experience!
But it's people like you who need to bring this idea to the masses.
Wedding photography is more than just taking photos. Sorry to break it to you.
@@KewksdesignWhat about wedding videographers? The only barriers now are technological limitations and lingering prejudices in people's minds. These are boundaries that need to be overcome.
Honestly, i shoot wedding videos myself but when it came to my wedding, i didnt really want a video.
I wanted photos a lot more than I wanted videos but my wife convinced me to split the photo budget in half and get a video guy.
At the end of the day we regretted not spending it all on photography.
This is probably why some people might not want a video, no matter how much money you have. Pictures are almost forever and a video is just a stack or pictures with sound that you'll need an electronic device to view.
I understand this completely. I would say video is becoming a bit more streamlined in terms of how you're able to view it vs 30 years ago. Nowadays you can easily Airdrop your films to your phone, pull them up on TH-cam, watch them through a Video Album. But at the end of the day, Video has to be important to you and mean something deeper than just pictures with sound. This is the perception I hope we can elevate for future families to understand the power a really good video can have in someone's life. I know it's wishful thinking but I'm optimistic!
@@WaywardNorth yeah I get your point of view. In our lifetime it might not be there yet but wedding documentaries are getting popular. So we might be in for a treat a more docu-film style being trend for couples.
The photography package included video. No need to panic .. let’s keep scrolling 👀
It didn't tho...back to watching 👀
What does this say about DJ's
I think he’s been through enough after seeing the receipts lol
Thanks for posting this. Great thoughts. I appreciate it. My perspective on the issue is that when you send one videographer to a wedding you pretty much are only able to get a one dimensional product. When I produce a wedding video I bring a crew of three people with professional audio gear and we make a documentary of the day, that’s really the only way I wanna do it. One guy with a camera is only going to create a pretty montage. Natural moments with good audio coverage are pretty much impossible to get as a one person operation.
Some people elope and want zero evidence
Have fun recalling a million dollar wedding from memory....try explaining to people all the moments the video would have captured
Great video. To be fair, this is nothing new though. It's just now coming to light for the majority because of incredible accounts like Nanty Narking bringing more transparency to the industry. We've seen and experienced this for years.
Loved the content lately! And I understand the idea of debating or contemplating this, but I would never use this nearly $2M wedding as any form of reason to critique the modern wedding industry. This is an extremely unique exception in the ultra luxury market, and not the rule. This wedding tells us nothing about anything in the grand wedding industry today. This is a niche client in the ultra luxury market who decided, Ray Roman, LeReve Films, John BunN films, and the list can go on of extremely skilled story tellers and film makers, we’re not “good enough” for them. They simply didn’t want it or got it for free. To use this as grounds to make any opinion about the wedding industry isn’t really helpful in my mind.
I appreciate the candidness! I think it’s a super interesting debate and whether or not it does or doesn’t apply to the grand wedding industry today. We can still pool
together the main idea and that is that Video still isn’t where it deserves to be in the grand scheme of things. I think we can all agree with that sentiment. Maybe I’m reaching with this video and that’s okay, it’s okay to be a bit polarizing here and there. Perspective helps us appreciate new ideas. I think any conversation about the goal and mission of elevating the industry itself is useful and worth exploring. Also this is based around what I’ve seen this year as couples turning down video because of Budget constraints, and lack of priority even in the lower end market. So it’s not just happening within the ultra luxury market. I know I didn’t make that sentiment clear in this video but my main hope is we can all come together, express our perspectives, and appreciate new ideas of ways we can as a collective elevate our perceived value.
@@WaywardNorth I absolutely agree overall with everything you said for sure. I honestly don’t ever think Video will reach the photo level of value to couples. Real couples that make up probably 60-70% of “the wedding industry” just don’t have the money for it after photo and all the other priorities. I definitely agree the industry needs to grow and increase its value, but I definitely stand by what I said that this wedding is so ridiculously outrageous in cost it cannot even be looked at for any valuable insight to anything. Again, 100% my opinion, but no vendor should look at a wedding this ultra luxury and make any conclusion based on that. Sure definitely use other context to validate opinions on the industry (as you clearly have) but I think this wedding has nothing to do with other valid opinions about the overall industry.
@@gortmanmade7277 Appreciate your views on it all seriously! I do realize the ridiculousness of the expenses made at this wedding and it shouldn’t be viewed through a Macro lens (pun intended) Maybe it’s not as valuable as my other content but I do stand by the sentiment that this video exists to open the door to discussing ways we as a collective can innovate, elevate, and increase awareness around the value of what we do as wedding videographers in an effort to encounter less and less situations where we are disregarded or thought of last minute and instead considered as one of the first decisions.
I also realize this is wishful thinking and who knows if we will ever get there but I like to play the optimist and make strides towards making that a very real possibility. Appreciate you!
This is going to make me sound like an ass but.. could anyone have been lying regarding that post?
Anyway, your points are valid and I agree. I too am rethinking my approach and figuring out how to apply a drastic change without pushing away couples who like the current meta.
I mean anything is possible but I think this post was created based on a presentation from a wedding conference. And idk why they would manufacture it, the post didn’t get THAT much attention but yeah anything is possible
WEDDING VIDEOS ARE A WANT NOT A NEED ONE MORE TIME FOR EVERYONE IN THE BACK WADDING VIDEOS ARE A WANT NOT A NEED. send out a servay email asking old customers how offten they look at the wedding videos vs the wedding photos. there will always be a place for wedding video but never a need and thats what you have to learn don't do one type of video work. when I get married i'm going to have all my friends and family import all the photos with the ones they will take with their phones and maybe do a photo shoot with my wife but spending 7/10k for video and photo I don't see the value even long term.
There was a Russian wedding and the father spent a billion dollars on his kids wedding.
Has anyone think that the photographer maybe was more like a media team? I do that all the time my wife takes care of photos and I do video
From my understanding there was no Video at all. Photo budget was strictly photography.
Maybe the couple don't want 4 or 5 people with lights filming them
All I can say is watch what Justin porter media!
Bottom line:
It makes no sense but we understand cause it’s their money but they should’ve paid to keep those memories but they can do what they want. Got it😅
Hey Stephen, keep crushing it with helping young content creators in their journey. I think thats an awesome idea for a channel! I apologize if this video wasted your time and didn't land with the goal and hope of having a constructive dialogue about the wedding film industry. Maybe we'll get ya next time 🫡 all the best!
@@WaywardNorth no dude it didn’t waste my time I promise! I watch your stuff religiously. I should’ve said “joking” or something. Your stuff has helped me immensely especially in shooting my first wedding recently. So many thanks! Seriously!
@@StephenDeLosRios oh wow that’s awesome to hear! It’s always so difficult to convey tone on the internet haha so I totally get that. Really stoked to hear that seriously!
@@WaywardNorth I know I hate that. But yes you’re welcome and keep up the good work!
Hey, I love your stuff man. But here’s my 2 cents.
Dude, the entire day is scripted/choreographed , hence the dress rehearsal. The couple, along with everyone “in” the wedding is performing for an audience. You as the videographer are just one, of a handful of directors, on set; the coordinator, officiant, and photog share that role. When couples look back at the portrait session from the day, you really think they’re going to wish they hadn’t kissed that one time, merely because the video/photo team directed them to for the 100th time? I highly doubt it. lol
Also some millionaires don’t want wedding video. No need to over analyze that. I’m sure that’s been the case since long before you picked up a camera and will be long after you put it down.
Anyway, back to editing another wedding film!
Appreciate the dialogue! It is interesting hearing everyone’s take and I really appreciate the openness towards the discussion.
I’m not going to say the wedding day isn’t a production because it has certainly turned into that. There are couples that love the theater of it all, there are couples that don’t, there’s an audience for every genre and sub-genre out there and at the end of the day it doesn’t even matter what I think or believe the wedding film should be lol who really cares.
The main sentiment behind starting a conversation here is the hope of igniting a different way of thinking and approaching the wedding film for the betterment of elevating its perceived value on a larger scale.
I really do appreciate your two cents and it all makes sense!
Brides are getting tired of the music video, cookie cutter templates, especially with the rise of Content Creators.
The wedding filmmakers that are willing to put in the work that no one else wants to do to document the day in the way that is most precious to the bride will stand the test of time.
I think people are overreacting. The Wedding Film Industry is fine and will forever be. It might change a little bit but videography in weddings will be here forever
Sure there will always be weddings. This is a larger discussion about the perceived value of where video currently stands and if it will ever be viewed in a more valueable way. The truth is ever since Covid alot of videographers have been in decline. This year more than ever. This is what makes up the industry, people, businesses, some yes are fine, most are not. It’s not overreacting to the people who are struggling and are getting passed by. I think a productive, constructive conversation about how we can be better collectively isn’t an overreaction but a necessary and very important mission. We all want to improve and keep doing what we love right?
@@WaywardNorth valid points. I think I was a bit careless with my original comment. I think less people are also getting married which also affects the industry.
In my honest opinion mid level videographers should offer a full package of photography and videography at the same time by working simultaneously with photographers.
For example here in Greece 9/10 couples search for a package which includes EVERYTHING (Photo + video).
That's why I opened my business with a videographer, so we can offer both services at the same time.
Of course that's not how the high end market works but most people are not on that level (myself included).
Also Americans tend to do these posed films. It’s terrible I hate it
Appreciate you opening up this conversation and pushing the industry forward!!!! No one out there doing it like you, Jaired!! 🫡
Also mom, if you see this I’m sorry for saying the A word in my dms
Mrs Bustamante, I’m sorry for blasting your son’s sailor mouth to the internet. 😂 dude I appreciate you so much seriously!! You are killing it and a force to be reckoned with in this industry. Keep making those beautiful films my friend 💪