Have you wanted to use your camcorder and video equipment to make some money, or are you already shooting live events? Shooting great wedding videos is a smart great way to profit from your equipment and experience. Whether you’re just entering the videography field or looking to add wedding videography to your list of services, these 10 insider secrets will help you produce professional wedding videos, right from the start.

1. Choose the Right Gear.
Video equipment becomes obsolete very quickly because of the constant advancements in technology. You don’t need the highest-end gear to shoot great wedding videos; the basics will do just fine. The basic equipment that you’ll need to shoot wedding videos includes a fluid head tripod, remote microphone system and or audio recorders. Oh, and an HD camcorder, of course.

2. Back up your audio.
Audio for wedding videos can be touchy. Remote microphones may pick up some voices better than others and last minute glitches could prevent you from getting any audio at all. This is why many wedding videographers are investing in audio recorders to back up their audio. They are also affordable enough that you can have several for micing various audio sources. Just like a wireless mic, the audio recorder is easily carried in the groom’s pocket, with a lavaliere microphone.

3. Understand LUX Ratings.
LUX is a measurement of camera sensitivity that is important to consider when purchasing a video camera. Cameras with lower LUX ratings produce better video in low light situations than cameras with higher LUX ratings. For wedding videography, which most often takes place in low light situations; churches, synagogues, reception halls, it is necessary to use a camera with a low LUX rating. The more sensitive to light your video camera is, the better quality wedding shots you’ll get, and the more professional the finished wedding video will be.

4. Attend the rehearsal.
Attending the wedding rehearsal, is very important especially if you are just starting out. For others seeing the rehearsal helps you avoid problems with lighting, microphone placement, and blocked views. The rehearsal also gives you another chance to consult with the bride and groom. Any last minute requests for their wedding video that they, or you, may have can be discussed before the wedding day rush is on.

5. Get “B-roll” coverage.
“B-roll” coverage is of critical importance to the professional quality of your wedding video production. To get B-roll footage, simply use a tripod to take exterior shots of the building in which the event will take place, stained glass or other architectural features, the food and flower arrangements and any other special touches you notice.

In addition to these still shots, begin shooting about 20 minutes before the wedding is to begin, in order to get shots of the guests being seated, and audio of the music played before the ceremony.

Even if you’ve been shooting network TV shows for decades, shooting a wedding is harder than you may think.

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