{"id":50262,"date":"2018-07-24T12:00:46","date_gmt":"2018-07-24T16:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=50262"},"modified":"2024-06-16T14:25:45","modified_gmt":"2024-06-16T18:25:45","slug":"how-to-film-a-wedding-as-a-solo-videographer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/how-to-film-a-wedding-as-a-solo-videographer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Film a Wedding as a Solo Videographer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Going out to dinner. Seeing a movie at the theater. Filming a wedding. All things you can do by yourself despite what others might say. It can be challenging yet rewarding to be reliant on only yourself when filming a wedding. You learn something new after each wedding you film and can execute better than the previous one. Whether you are just starting out trying to get your first wedding gig, had an assistant drop out last minute, or just want complete creative control, operating as a solo wedding videographer <\/strong>is certainly manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will always be instances when you must adapt as a solo videographer, and this article will give you the tools to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Do Before the Wedding Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Get to Know The Players<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll likely be talking to the couple before even being booked. Therefore, you should get to know them and understand their style or vision for their wedding video. I like to ask them for a list of the wedding parties and family members, so you know who to get plenty of footage of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be sure to ask the couple how the ceremony will play out and ask who will be officiating the ceremony. Ask the officiator how close you can get to the podium and if any microphones will be used.  Expect the opposite to happen and come prepared with a solution. I try to generally stay out of sight when possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get to Know The Venue<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wouldn\u2019t it be nice if a couple got married on a sound stage? I always suggest it but, so far, no takers. Every venue is different and presents different challenges. If you can\u2019t visit the venue before the wedding day then look up pictures online. Watch other wedding videos from that venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track the sun if you\u2019re shooting a daytime wedding. You\u2019ll want to understand the lighting offered and brainstorm what you should supply. There will be surprises when you get there, so try to eliminate as many of them as you can before they happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shot List for a Solo Wedding Videographer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you know the wedding party and venue, you can start planning your shot list. Work with the photographer to know when they are scheduling some of these shots since you\u2019ll likely piggyback off them.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo taken by Charlie Stillman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Establishing Shot of the Venue<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The couple paid a lot for the venue and flowers that some people may not even notice. This is your chance to get creative and shoot a mini advertisement for the venue. It provides a useful B-roll when editing<\/a> and the venue may recommend you to future couples.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo taken by Charlie Stillman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Getting Ready<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I like to get candid shots<\/a> of the wedding parties either hanging out or getting dressed. It shows a glimpse of humanity before an otherwise choreographed day.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo taken by Charlie Stillman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Wedding Dress and Rings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like the venue, get plenty of beauty shots of the wedding dress hung up and on the bride. I always get these in 120fps with plenty of close-up detail shots. It\u2019s definitely a fun place to play around cinematically between the dress details and close-up shots of the wedding rings.<\/a> Place the rings near a window \u2014 or any natural light \u2014 to see if you can create a glint.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo taken by Charlie Stillman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Groom\u2019s Suit<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Somebody close to the groom will typically put the finishing touches on the groom whether that\u2019s putting on his jacket or fixing his tie. Again, I\u2019ll shoot this at 120fps and focus on the close-up action. Consider adding in SFX for an ASMR feel or get shots of their faces. Remember that you\u2019re still a storyteller.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo taken by Charlie Stillman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

First Look<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The photographer will likely have this scheduled, and you can work with them to find your angles. I\u2019ll set up my second camera wide for a two-shot while avoiding the photographer\u2019s field of view. My primary camera will be on facial reactions. Shooting in 4k allows me the flexibility to create two shots from one. If I keep it wide to include both faces, I can always punch in on one face to create the illusion of another camera.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo taken by Charlie Stillman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Bridal Parties<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s okay to keep these as portrait-style shots. I like to keep every person in the wedding parties and families included in the final edit. This would be the instance where I may consider a longer lens (75 mm-300 mm) to stay out of the photographer\u2019s way and create nice bokeh effects<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo taken by Charlie Stillman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Bride Walking Down the Aisle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can usually get nice tracking shots of the bride. This may be the only time you can position yourself near (or on) the altar while everybody is distracted. Get in, get your shot, and get out.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo taken by Charlie Stillman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Groom Waiting for Bride<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your second camera isn\u2019t on the groom, be sure to get a shot of him from where you are. Bonus points if you capture him crying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dances and Speeches<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is where extra batteries and memory cards<\/a> come in handy. I\u2019ll replace both before the reception starts so I\u2019m not worried about swapping them mid-way through.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo taken by Charlie Stillman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Cutting the Cake<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Be sure to capture the details in the cake<\/a> before it\u2019s sliced open. As they cut into it, this shot can be playful and candid.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo taken by Charlie Stillman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Party! <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is where I\u2019d feel comfortable throwing on the portable light, especially if the dance floor is dimly lit. By now, you\u2019ll also be so familiar with the DJI Ronin<\/a> that it will feel like another appendage. Make sure you have your dancing shoes on and glide across the dance floor. Show people having a good time. Get inside the dance circles. Get as much footage of the bride and groom as you can here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Gear for a Solo Wedding Videographer <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know all about the venue, lighting, and general creative vision of your client, you can do an audit of all the gear you\u2019ll need to rent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Audio<\/strong> Gear<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Filming solo means you can\u2019t be two in places at once. Help yourself by getting many audio channels. I put a Rode<\/a> mic on my camera body for reliable reference audio that I have used in the final edits before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Track down the DJ or venue manager to locate where their sound system is and ask if you can use a master output. I bring a 6\u2019 XLR cable and my DR60 Tascam<\/a> to capture the master output. This means I\u2019ll have crystal clear audio from anybody using a microphone, or whichever digital music is played. I\u2019ll also set my Tascam<\/a> to record the same track 16dB quieter in case there is any peaking. This is usually the case when everybody erupts in applause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Consider using a long shotgun<\/a> mic connected to another Tascam<\/a> for when the sound system inevitably fails you. You can set this up far and out of sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here\u2019s a tip I wish I knew from Day One: Get an omnidirectional boundary mic<\/a>. It will require another Tascam to plug into, but you\u2019ll be able to plant it somewhere near the action without anybody seeing it. You can hide it in the flowers near the couple, on the podium if the officiator has something in front of them, or even hide it in the grass near the feet of grandma in the front row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I know I suggested bringing three separate systems to record to, but audio is very unforgiving and you\u2019ll want peace of mind. You could also get wireless transmitters<\/a> if you then get a Tascam with more XLR inputs, like the DR-70D<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Camera Gear<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Get the Sony a7r IV<\/a>. I can\u2019t say enough good things about this camera. It\u2019s light, small, intuitive, shoots 4k up to 60fps, and has facial tracking AF. I can also put on my 24-70mm<\/a> lens while being able to roughly balance it all on my DJI Ronin<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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I\u2019ll use 2x of these camera bodies and will generally keep the 24-70mm on one of them as my workhorse. My other body will have a prime lens, like the 35mm<\/a> or 50mm<\/a>. I\u2019ll treat the second camera as my safety\/witness camera propped up on a tripod. I try to hide it somewhere to get wide shots that allow me coverage in editing, especially if I\u2019m running around closer to the action.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Personally, I have never brought lights to a wedding because I don\u2019t want to interrupt the venue\u2019s look. I also know the Sony a7r IV can open up to 32000 ISO in case of light emergencies. Otherwise, I\u2019ve kept my eye on the Lume Cube Go as a camera light, especially since I can control the color temperature to match the space I\u2019m in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/strong>I also want to emphasize the importance of certain accessories that have helped me as a solo wedding videographer. When I put my safety camera on the iKan camera slider,<\/a> I can quickly make subtle changes to my angles. It can even get some cinematic movement if I pop back to man the camera.<\/p>\n\n\n

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We know you\u2019ll come with fully charged batteries, but weddings can be long days. Always keep an extra fully charged battery on your person and charge everything else. Bring a portable battery charger<\/a> and consider adding it to your camera or audio system for easy access.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Tips for a Solo Wedding Videographer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Photo taken from Charlie Stillman wedding videography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Capture Enough Variety<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You know you\u2019re filming this wedding by yourself, but nobody else needs to know that. Keep your future editor self in mind. Make sure you give yourself the coverage of as many camera angles, audio sources, and dynamic movements as you can.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo taken from Charlie Stillman wedding videography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Be Discrete<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes, you are an artist. Yes, you are a technician. But today, you are the body that comes with the camera. Be nimble. Do not draw attention to yourself because it\u2019s not your big day \u2014 it\u2019s the bride and groom\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay Prepared <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget your ABCs: Always Be Charging. Extra batteries should be ready to go when you need them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re hired for the day \u2014 work for the day. You never know when something memorable can spontaneously happen. Always be aware of your surroundings and don\u2019t forget to let inspiration strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s an example of a wedding video filmed solo:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rowan & Nicole 5.11.19<\/div><\/div>
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