Finding the Right Boston Wedding Photographer and Videographer

A bride-to-be recently sent me an email wondering what to look for in a videographer and photographer. Well, what DO you look for when booking the two most important parts of your wedding?

When looking into any vendor for a wedding, the first thing to do is a lot of research! This is especially true when booking a photographer and videographer. Who is this company that I am looking into buying for the most important day of my life?

How do I know how this company is to work with after I’ve already paid?
Reviews are a great way of looking at a company from a standpoint outside of their control. This is important because some companies can seem very great during meetings, when on the wedding day after you’ve paid can be disastrous. Wedding Wire, The Knot, etc. have message boards that you can post up on and ask about certain vendors. Some companies have sites on such sites such as The Knot. These sites usually make it so that the photography or videography company cannot touch. It shows both the good and bad of each company without any bias of the company.

What kind of photography or videography are you getting?

Watch a couple samples of video, look at some picture samples of your photographer before booking. When shopping around for a photographer or videographer it’s vital to look for something different than normal.

If your photographer shoots general photos and formals, there’s nothing special about their work and probably not worth the price.

The same goes with videography; do they get good details of the wedding you take hours on hours to plan? How do they edit your footage together?

What am I paying for when booking a photographer and videographer?

I always answer this question first with, “You get what you pay for!” I cannot stress enough about this point! For photography, make sure the shots are unique and edited well. Photos that are over edited can look very grainy, and sometimes unpleasant to the eye. The price of this vendor will be more if you are booking for 8 hours (recommended) than if you are booking for 6.

Videography is a whole different world when it comes to pricing. The more expensive companies should be offering you HD footage, Blu-ray, Raw Footage, and an edited version of your whole wedding. Each company does this differently, so find the best fit for you. If you would rather watch your video in portions, find a company that breaks the day into chapters that you can skip through. A one-camera 8-hour wedding can equal up to 3 and a half to 4 hours. With a multi-cam you will be paying more, but you will receive an even better final product. For example: think of your favorite TV. show, imagine watching that show from only one angle for the whole time. A multi-cam wedding gives variation, so that in the edit you can see different things that are going on at the same time that will keep your attention.

Wedding at Glen Magna Farms

Take a look at this romantic wedding videotaped at Glen Magna Farms. This wedding featured gardens and lush landscapes perfect for any bride.
Check out their site here: http://www.glenmagnafarms.org/weddings.html

Museum of Science Boston Wedding Videography

This was a fun wedding we shot at the Museum of Science in Boston back in April. Very lovely couple and really photogenic. Enjoy!

McElroy Weddings Rated on Wedding Wire

We’re excited to have made Weddingwire’s Rated for 2011! Check out the link below to read reviews from many satisfied brides. We’re excited about the work we do for our clients. Every couple deserves the best possible product we can create and we’re so happy our clients love our work!

http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/mcelroy-weddings-burlington/a0c02b5a3c0ffe57.html

Who is Your Wedding Videographer?

Who is Your Wedding Videographer?

Over the last couple of months I’ve talked to all walks of life here at McElroy Weddings Studio in Burlington, MA. Couples ranging from, “I’m not sure I want a videographer” to “I know I want you as my videographer!”

If you’re still contemplating videography you should ask yourself a few questions.
1. What experience does that videographer have?
2. Does he own the company? Or is he an associate videographer?
3. Where is my vendor’s place of business?
4. What are previous clients saying about their work? Both owner and associate videographers?
5. What does my money really get me?
6. When I’m comparing videographers am I really comparing apples to apples?

We’ll touch on each one of theses points in this blog entry.

Firstly, we need to know about their experience. What background and education does this vendor and associates have? If their day job is a technical engineer and he’s trying to make a few bucks on the weekend. Is that a good fit for you? Would you like it if your doctor likes to make some cool cash on the weekends? And his real job was a videographer? It’s probably a bad sign if the vendor you’re interested in doesn’t live and breath video day in and day out.

Secondly, Who will be shooting for you? Will it be the owner of the videography firm? Or a freelancer/associate? We have nothing against this per say.. Just make sure you know who you’re getting. Make sure that the videographers you’re getting shoots video on a regular basis and has a background in video.

Third, Where does your vendor operate their business? Is it at their house or a condo? You might want to re-consider a vendor if you’re sitting in their living room a few doors from their bedroom. Home offices are great and save on costs. However, look for the firms with a professional office. While at their business ask to see samples both in DVD and Blu-ray. Having a professional look and business tells a lot about a vendor and how committed they are to their profession.

Fourth, What are people saying about them on the web? They’re numerous places on the web where you can find feedback on a vendor. A good place to start is on TheKnot.com or WeddingWire.com. Perform a search on the vendor and make sure there is positive feedback on them. Ask questions, such as, “Has anyone has used them?” and “What was your experience like working with them?” Also, Check out BBB.org. That’s the Better Business Bureau, if they’re not listed ask the vendor why? This site also gives information if there has been any cases against them for bad business and if it was resolved or not.

Fifth, What does the bottom line dollar amount get you? How many hours of coverage, videographers, DVDs and editing? Make sure this is spelled out and written on the invoice and contract. Make sure they match as well. $2,000 for a wedding may seem high to some people or it may seem low. Just inquire about what that money actually gets.

Lastly, When comparing videography vendors. Make sure you come armed to the table with questions. If you’re considering a few vendors ask the same questions to each one. Re-ask the question to see if you can yield the same answers. Sometime potential clients don’t book. The most common reason why is because they went to another videographer because they were less expensive. The questions that come to our minds are:
1. Who are they and what kind of experience do they have?
2. Do they have a day job? Or are they full time at videography?
3. Do they have a professional Studio/office?
4. We’re they offering the exact same quality and editing that we offer? With Professional HD cameras, wireless mics, sliders and glidecams? Who’s editing their video? It probably isn’t edited by award-winning editors like us!

Bottom Line, You can get a cheap videographer from Craig’s list any day of the week. Do you really want to leave your precious day to someone who isn’t qualified? Do you want to trust all your memories to him with a low end camera and limited amount of editing experience?
You have one shot to get it right.. Hire a professional and spend a little money. You won’t kick yourself later with a professional DVD of your wedding day 10-15 years down the road. You’ll thank yourself you spent a few extra bucks.

Give us a call at the studio if you have further questions. Or book an appointment to come down and meet us in person and see samples.

Office:781-229-5900

Wedding Videography at the State Room Boston

Here’s a great example of some of our work. We shot this wedding at the State Room in Boston this past fall. The State Room is one of the most luxurious venues a Bride can get for her wedding. This videography included techniques that you’ll only find at McElroy Weddings. Including the use of glidecams and sliders shots. The entire Jewish wedding was held in the State Room. With a beautiful view of Boston behind the Bride and Groom while the service was happening.

Boston State Room Wedding Videography from McElroy Weddings on Vimeo.

McElroy Weddings – The Knot’s Best of 2011

Everyone at McElroy Weddings is pleased to announce that our company has made the Knot’s Best of Weddings 2011 vendor list for videography. Please check out our full portfolio by clicking here. We had a great year filming about 50 weddings in and throughout Boston, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. We met a lot of great clients along the way and give them special thanks for choosing to trust us with their wedding videography.

We would also like to thank our entire staff of videographers, editors and personnel. Videographers, Mike, Patrick and Steve. Editors, Evan, Chris and Brittney. Personnel, Ruth Marvin and Erika McElroy.

Thanks again and we look forward to a wonderful 2011 season!

Check out some of our recent work below

Wedding Videography in New Hampshire at the Harris Pelham Inn

McElroy Weddings Traveled up to New Hampshire this fall to shoot video at the lovely Harris Pelham Inn. This is a fabulous place to get married at. The Staff is very friendly, the grounds and building are maintained very well and the couple was outstanding.
The whole wedding from start to finish was very intimate with the ceremony taking place on the main lawn in front of the gazebo and plants then later we moved into the grand ballroom on the top floor of the Inn over looking the pond.
We highly recommend the this New Hampshire venue, especial for high definition wedding videography.
Enjoy their wedding trailer below.

For more information click here

http://www.harrispelhaminn.com/

Wedding at the Hyatt Regency Boston

McElroy Weddings had another fantastic wedding at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Boston. The wedding started in Cambridge at St Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church and then later we moved to the Boston Commons for formals. The whole day from start to finish was nothing shy of perfect. This affluent bride and her husband couldn’t have asked for a better fall day. Just as the weather was cooling off they snuck in one more semi-warm day and made the most of it.

Their selections for wedding music were very good. They choose the old 90’s song This Is Your Night by Amber.

Enjoy.

Wedding Films at the Daversport Yacht Club

The Danversport Yacht Club is tastefully position right next to a small ocean community of Danvers, MA. It has beautiful landscaping with oceanic themes everywhere you turn. From it’s impressive miniature lighthouse to the white gazebo overlooking the entire bay. This is one of our favorite venues to film at.
Take a look at this couple’s wedding trailer here.

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