The Classic Wedding Bubble

What is the Classic Wedding Bubble?

Well it’s a term I coined to describe this transparent bubble shaped yet rigid container (despite the delicate bubble context), where all of the expected traditional aspects of a wedding day are seen and listed by the bride as “must haves”. You know, the dress, the cake, the ring, the dinner, the honeymoon etal and of course the photographer. I’m going to zero in on the photographer “must have” part.

In many cases, Wedding budgets are based on these ingrained “must haves” and any after thoughts are considered outside the bubble and may only come into play if there is any money left. Nice to haves if you will. That usually means less dollars than there should be for these last minute thoughts.

As a professional event videographer for the last 15 years, I have seen a huge disparity between the dollars paid to the photographer to that of the videographer just based on this ingrained tradition. It’s just too uneven.

The photographer is already in the bubble and thus can readily command a “going rate” as God forbid there are no pictures taken. A videographer on the otherhand is outside the bubble, and usually has to get by with a smaller monetary consideration if the service is undertaken at all. I somewhat blame the videography industry itself for that, but that’s another story. The disparity is in the actual costs paid for “time on the job”.

The photographer, (yes is paid for their professional eye, not for the volume of picures taken) really only works the day of the wedding plus some off time particularly if the shoot is all digital. Those photographers that still shoot in 35mm film do have more work, but the overall net is still high. Additional bread and butter is in the copies, proofs and the albums.

A videographer(s) is available the entire wedding day (shooting or not) depending on the wedding video package deliverables. That can be as long as 12 or more hours. That’s just the filming time. What about the next 30 or so hours in the edit suite (can be less for very cheap weddings where cookie cutter templates and minimum footage are used for your video). Many brides are not fully aware of this latter aspect of getting a real pro wedding video done. Creativity and assembling real production value in a wedding video means having the right footage to work with and the time to express this value. Working for an equivalent of $20 or less an hour is what this really boils down to as compared to $45 to $60 per hour on average for a photographer. Is this fair?

When comparing apples and apples between a seasoned pro videographer and a seasoned pro photographer, in my opinion the necessary expertise, the cost of the equipment and software far outstrips that of a photographer. Is this fair?

I’m not saying do not choose a photographer for your wedding day. Equally, do not shut out a true working budget for the videographer which not only works longer but in my opinion provides far more value over the long run for re-capturing those memories of your special day, in both sound and motion no photo can ever compete with.

It takes an exceptional photographer to exude the essence of a once in lifetime shot to say “wow” this picture says it all. This truly is a Da Vinci moment. Unfortunately most photographers use the cookie cutter method of a shoot (mostly pressure from the brides mom – ok I’m in for it now) to create the plethora of mostly mundane shots and get very well paid for it, only for the sake of tradition.

When considering what visual method you choose to cover your wedding day, my suggestion is to choose one of the professionals to do it, not both. Pull that videographer inside your bubble and consider the service as an essential part of your wedding day plans as you would a photographer.

Many videographers now offer a photo shoot element as part of their wedding video package for less than you think. A great value. You can still get that photo on your mantle.

Another advantage to have one pro in your wedding day coverage, is that there is no competiton for that key shot. Full attention is given to your wedding day coverage with no joostling for best position and losing that wonderful shot or shots that can define your day. It does and will happen.