How to Choose a Great Videographer | Chicago Corporate Photo & Video
Choosing a great videographer for your next videography project can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you don’t know a whole lot about videography.
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a videographer, the most important of which being experience. Experience should not be your only determining factor in which professional videographers to choose, as many of them will have a great deal of experience so it may be difficult at first to choose one.
Here are some tips in things to look for when choosing a professional videographer:
1. Portfolio
You want to always view the videographer’s prior work before you hire them. If they do not have prior work, then move on. Just because a videographer has experience in shooting videos doesn’t mean that the videos they created will be of your liking.
So always review their prior work, demos, portfolio, etc. so you get a sense of what videos they have done in the past and that those videos are to your liking.
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2. Good Communication
Good communication is extremely important for choosing a videographer or any professional for that matter. Your videographer should be able to easily communicate with you as to what your needs for the project are and how to meet or exceed them.
Videographers will need to be able to work well with both their clients and other guests or attendees, and should be personable and sociable. A great videographer should come off as professional and efficient, and be able to communicate suggestions and creative ideas for your important video project.
3. A Great Videographer Ask Lots of Questions
A professional videographer that is great at what they do should be asking lots of questions. Otherwise, how will they know exactly what your project needs are and also what they should charge? They should be asking questions about how many videographers are needed, the size of the event, exactly what types of video you want to capture, and what types of editing will be expected to be completed after the event has concluded. You videographer should not want any surprises in terms of expectations, and you shouldn’t either.
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4. Read the Reviews
Any professional, experienced videographer should have some great reviews. Check Yelp, Google and Facebook. There is no better judgement of a professional than the evaluations of them by their clients. So spend a few minutes to take a look at what others have to say about the professional you’re thinking of hiring. It’s no doubt a very important project if videography is involved, so make sure you are hiring someone who has done these projects well for others before you make your final decision.
5. Pricing
While pricing should not be the only factor when choosing a good videographer, it is obviously important. Make sure you clearly spell out the services you need both during and after the event, so your prospective videographer can provide you with an accurate quote. The more information you can provide them with beforehand, the better. Spend some time thinking about exactly what you want captured during the event, and the final product you would like to see afterward. Ask if they can provide you with a layered quote, providing you with minimum pricing for what you want, as well as pricing on extra’s or add-on’s they may offer that may enhance your project even more.
6. Editing & Video Format
Make sure you and your videographer are on the same page in terms of what formatted you would like to receive the completed product in. Do you want DVD’s for your guests? What file format(s) would you like to receive the videos in? Exactly what editing you you expect? Your videographer should be asking you these questions so he or she knows exactly what you expect to receive. Make sure you iron out these details before the project begins so there are no misunderstandings.
The Takeaway
Your videography project is sure to be important, so make sure you ask the right questions up front so everyone knows what to expect. Video can have such a big impact on business so do your homework and spend the time really reviewing your videography prospects before you select one. A misunderstanding can cause frustration, as well as extra time and money.
Make sure the videographer you choose has great reviews and an extensive portfolio. He or she should also be very personable and asks lots of questions to ensure they meet or exceed your expectations. It shouldn’t take forever to make sure you select a great videographer for your needs – just make sure you put in at least a little time and effort to ensure your project goes smoothly and without a hitch!
