3 ‘Can’t Miss’ Things to Look for in a Videographer
You don’t have to splurge to find the perfect contracted videographer for your business — especially if you’re just getting started with video creation. Trust me, own a video production company in Utah and have been around the block, so to speak, when it comes to video projects.
Here are three requirements to check off your list before you even think about handing your hard-earned money over to a videographer!
Captivating Storytelling
There are A LOT of people in this world with crazy-good, super-technical camera skills. Does skill level alone guarantee you’re going to get an epic video that meets your expectations?
Not a chance.
Think about your favorite movie of all time. Did you love it mainly because of the lighting and the set design and the camera angles… or was it the storytelling?
The best video content is the stuff that hooks you in and keeps you watching to the very end. And you’ll have a much better chance of getting video content that blows you away when you hire a videographer who understands your vision and turns it into a compelling story.
Make sure you always look through a videographer’s portfolio first to get an idea of their ability with storytelling. Yes, content is king, but don’t leave out creativity!
Personality Fit
This one is HUUUUUUUGE.
If you wouldn't hire someone into your company, don’t contract with them to make your videos.
Too many of my clients have worked with videographers who showed up to the shoot, set up the camera, got the footage, and left. There was little communication or direction while filming and even less of it during the editing process.
If doing a quick job without much direction or communication suits your needs, great. But if not, steer clear!
Your videographer doesn’t need to be a huge extrovert to do an awesome job. But they should be proactive communicators and confident in their ability to manage the shoot. This is especially important in smaller productions with a limited camera crew.
If you’re in talks with a videographer who you would be proud to introduce to others as a member of your team, there’s a great chance you’re on the right track!
Quality Audio & Sound Design
Pretty footage is great. But it’s useless if your videographer is getting you bad audio, and it’s a NIGHTMARE if the audio doesn’t get recorded at all!
Pay attention to the audio quality in a videographer’s portfolio. You don’t need to be an audio engineer to recognize the difference between good and bad quality sound.
A seasoned videographer will also make sure there isn’t just one audio input on set. Imagine how tragic it would be to get through an entire shoot just for the audio to turn out unusable or even blank because the only mic on set didn’t record anything!
Sound design skills are also a big plus. Can your videographer spice up the original audio recordings and camera footage with well-placed sound effects? Are those effects appropriate to the style and mood the video is going for? Are they subtle, or are they painfully obvious and a little corny?
Great sound and great footage go hand-in-hand. You can’t have one without the other.
Key Takeaways…
Hire a videographer you would be proud to introduce to people inside AND outside your company. If their storytelling ability, personality, and audio skills match your expectations, you’ll be that much more likely to get the best bang for your buck.