BEWARE

 

In this section, we'd like to take time to educate our potential customers about the pitfalls when hiring videographer or photographer for your wedding.

PHOTOGRAPHER

In fall 2004, we finished building our database to track photographer we have worked with. Don't fall for any club, association, organization, award or any cult they joined. You would be surprise to see our database. :-) The behavior and personality of the photographer to work well with other vendors lies deep down in the person's character; thus, no association or cult they joined will change who they are.  The ability of photographer to work well with other vendors is very important because you will have a lot of vendors at your event.   It's like driving your car.  If you have one flat tire, you won't get far.

Beware of some photographers who do not want videographer to shoot during photo session. Some photographers claimed that they do not want videographer to STEAL their pose!!! What a ridiculous claim. Only incompetent photographers wouldn't want anyone else to shoot. After all, it is your big day. You have the money. You have the power. Do not let photographer pushes you around. Read their contract carefully. There might be hidden clause that does not allow anyone else to shoot during your photo session. Photo session is the time that you have family photos; may be some family members that you haven't seen for ages. If the photographer is working for you, why should he or she tell you what to do? Take control. If the photographer you're intended to hire doesn't allow anyone else to shoot, take your money and hire someone else. You will be happier with more competent photographer.

Our studio works unobtrusively, we do not walk in front of photographer's camera.   We do not pose.   We shoot live and candidly.   I know personally how photographer works under time constraint.   I, myself, a photographer for four years before I started video.

Ask the photographer point blank if they allow videographer to shoot during photo session.   Competent photographer wouldn't mind because they know their quality would meet your expectation.   Only incompetent photographer wouldn't want videographer to shoot  because of their poor work and therefore you have no option other than to buy their work.

Finally, when you view the sample of their work, make sure to find out who shot that?   As you know, different shooters possess different skill and technique.   Make sure to find out who will be shooting your event.    They might show you the sample of excellent work of one shooter but send a different shooter to your event.   Bad practice.   Bad idea.   Very risky for you.   Beware.

 

VIDEOGRAPHER

With new technology emerging every year, great quality equipment becomes more and more affordable.    That means, Bob Schmuck's studio can have the same equipment as we are.    So how do we distinguish our studio from our competitors?    Very simple.    We concentrate on the customers, you.   Having the same equipment doesn't mean the studio can produce the same quality of work or provide the same service.   It takes skills to produce good work.   It requires educations and strong technical background to keep up-to-date and to utilize cutting edge technology.   Most importantly, the studio needs a lot of safety net to produce impeccable product such as special events; because, there's only one take.   There's no take 2.     Read "about us" section to get more information.   ADA Video modeled our safety net on aerospace approach.   Everything we do have a minimum of 2.   For instance, we use 2 wireless microphones at the ceremony.   Wireless mics based on 2 completely frequency range.  The wireless microphones feed to 2 different cameras.   ADA Video always use 2 shooters throughout the entire event (ceremony & reception).   We have 3 editing systems.   We use at least 3 cameras at ceremony and 2 at reception.  We have 4 DVD burners.   ADA Video staff can read and write more than 10 languages combined!!!   These are just a few things about us.   

Finally, when you view the sample of their work, make sure to find out who shot that?   As you know, different shooters possess different skill and technique.    They might show you the sample of excellent work of one shooter but send a different shooter to your event.   Bad practice.   Bad idea.   Very risky for you.   Beware.

 

COMPARISON AMONG SERVICES

(more value for your money)

 

  OUR STUDIO COMPETITOR
shoot with four digital 3-CCD cameras YES NO
3 operators throughout the entire wedding, up to 4 operators available YES NO
 family tree available as optional feature on all DVD YES NO
FREE bridal party on all DVD package that has jumping capability YES NO
FREE 100 photos slideshow on selected package, or, as optional feature on all DVD YES NO
FREE complete ceremony on the internet for 30 days at no extra charge YES NO
FREE Love Story on selected package or optional on any package YES NO
multiple wireless microphones for ceremony (groom, minister, readers, string qrt) YES MAYBE
crane used as standard feature (to get high shot angle view) YES MAYBE
full motion DVD menu under $1,000 YES NO
edited on computer system from beginning to end, the whole project YES MAYBE
customize DVD cover, label, menu, proof sample on internet YES MAYBE
quickest turn-around time (2-3 wks) YES MAYBE
money back satisfaction guarantee on all package YES HELL NO
2 cameras and 2 operators at reception, why multiple cameras important? YES MAYBE
your photo montage or Love Story can be presented at the reception, no extra charge YES NO
our cameras can see even one candle lit the room YES MAYBE
we shoot pre-ceremonial & photo session (90 to 120 minutes before ceremony, standard on all package) YES MAYBE
rehearsal dinner can be shot in place of Love Story YES MAYBE
stabilizer used when appropriate for all package, no extra charge YES MAYBE
total cost to get everything we mentioned in this comparison $1,495 $3,000 or more

 

page updated:  Sunday, 30 January 2005