Whats your gripe with videographers?

Not trying to start a war here, just some friendly banter. What are some situations where you and the videographer really didn't get along or what have they done they has stopped you from getting your shot. Does anyone have any tips on how to get along with the videographer.. I'll start.

1) Walking backwards down the aisle with the bride and groom. My number 1 frustrations is when the videographer will walk backwards down the aisle leading the bride and groom. Not only is it rude but it stops the photographer from getting the best possible shot. I had a harsh word with a videographer this weekend about doing this.

2) Doing this over and over and over and over again. I understand videographers need to get their footage, but 4 times? There is nothing more frustrating than when your at the brides house and time is slowly ticking away and the videographer is doing the same shot 3 or 4 times. Arrrgh!

3) Panning in front of your bridal party - So, on the weekend, it took me around 3 or 4 minutes to arrange the bridal party to do a walking shot towards the camera. When I started the action the videographer walked in front of the entire bridal party panning across them. By the time he had finished, the bridal party ran out of puff and I had to redo the entire shot.

First of all, it's imperative that both the photographer and videographer communicate throughout the day to execute a good game plan.

I've worked with the same videographers for the last 6-7 years and it's still a challenge but there's a certain amount of give and take that needs to happen.

That said, here are some "gripes" I've had.

-Tripod blocking any foot traffic.
-Getting the look when you get in the way of coverage
-Shadowing the couple a few feet away
-Leaving the video light on when not shooting

Not too bad.

I've never had the liberty of picking which videographer I will be stuck with... but there have been some that have been pretty good, and others that were terrible...
comes down to not worrying about the video guys - do your best regardless of circumstances... complaining about video guys the day after the wedding is not pointless

The first thing you should do is find out if the couple is having someone do video. I would then get their contact information and CALL them. Start the conversation BEFORE the wedding. Talk about the style they shoot and speak in terms of cooperation for the day.


If you want complaints I can share them but why complain?

Better yet, offer it as a package. We have enough equipment to do both and do so. Frankly, its easier then photography if you know what you are doing. go watch any of the videos given out to a couple. 3 to 4 second clips with a musical background. worked with a guy from the Baltimore area and he is making a great buck just doing video. He pulled me aside and said, he could now put a video together in 4 hours and it looks great. Has a list to film and how to go about it. Had to try it. Again, if you know what to do and have the right program to splice it together, it really is not that hard. And by the way, he never got in our way and worked around us all the time when we worked together. It was like he wasn't even there and his film was top notch.

What is your Gripe with Videographers ?

I dont have one.

You are both there to work for the couple and provide a product that they will love. Crapola is going to happen. Your going to get in each others shots. Deal with it.

Bottom line is you are there to provide a service, experience and product that makes your clients happy so work together and accomplish your goals.........Nothing else maters

Communicate and you will solve 98% of the problems

If you're actually competent at what you do, you go over a game plan with them before the wedding day.

Seriously, this is your line of work. I just can't imagine how people just show up to shoot a wedding and grumble about the video crew are getting into your shots (which means you're getting in theirs). You're doing your clients are disservice by letting your ego get to you. Your professionalism shows by how you handle the situation.

Don't have one. They do their job I do mine.

It's like saying "What's your gripe with priests?"

You get all sorts and you just deal with whatever comes your way.

I worked with (or should I say against) a terrible videographer last year. The woman came up to me, told me her name, and the next sentence out of her mouth was "I can't edit you out of a shot the way you can fix things with photoshop, so check with me before you make any major moves around the ceremony or dances"

I knew it was going to be a long day.

I don't have a gripe with any other professional, but I do have issues with people who have personality defects. I almost never have a real issue in any aspect of my life until I run into someone who acts like they haven't been socialized properly with other humans.