Hiring a Friend or Relative to Shoot Your Wedding Video?

Even though a wedding video is just as important as photos, we admit, it isn't as quickly thought-of as the photos are. It's still a relatively new thing considering how long photography has been around.

So, sometimes people will try to save money by asking a friend or relative to shoot their wedding video. Here are a few reasons why you may not want to do that:

1. Your friend or relative probably doesn't have the skills and experience that result from doing over 100 weddings. This experience has a big impact on the quality of your wedding video. Your wedding only happens once, and there are many moments that you need to be ready for, using multiple cameras to catch it right. Does your family member or friend have that capability? 
2. Do they have the right equipment? To do it right you need at least two digital quality, HD cameras.  Three cameras is ideal.  And they'll need cameras that function well in low-light.  These cameras aren't cheap.  To invest in the right equipment to do your video right, requires the right cameras, quality tripods, and editing equipment and software.  This investment can easily be over $20,000. If your friend or relative went out and bought a little HD camcorder, odds are, you aren't going to be happy with the results.
3. Your friend or family member should ENJOY your wedding day - not have to work! Shooting a wedding video is a very tiresome endeavor. You are on your feet a lot, and you are constantly looking for things you need to capture. Why would you put your friend through this?

These are just a few of the main reasons you should stray away from hiring a friend to do your wedding video. Your wedding happens once. Do your wedding video right, and have it professionally done. You won't regret it.