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Permalink Reply by Tony SingingEagle on July 2, 2011 at 11:33am

In reference to the final paragraph above, and not to dwell on the negative, but I, for one, am beginning to think that the source of the problem is the way casual video-making (what used to be home movies) has become so prevalent, much the same as shooting photos with your cell phone--anyone can do it.  Now, add to that the overwhelming lack of concern for quality in media production in general (reality shows/talk shows replacing those of higher quality and production values). Suddenly you have people with little to no knowledge or experience, let alone training, passing themselves off as "professionals," and then getting the gigs we should be getting because they have lower pricing. And what really alarms me is that the general public not only accepts this "anyone can do it" mentality but actually accepts the videos they see as being GOOD. We have to get back to the idea that quality is still not only acceptable but preferred--before we loose all sense of what it used to be.

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Permalink Reply by Phillip Brunelle on July 16, 2011 at 12:12am

Trackback: Mentioned on Twitter by @TyingTheKnott - http://www.twitter.com/TyingTheKnott

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Permalink Reply by AMAX Film and Video on July 16, 2011 at 10:55am

There is a new thought process that has arisen over the past 5-7 years concerning both photography and video production, both among customers and wannabe photographers/videographers.

The mindset of those who want to get into these fields has become, "If I go to Costco and buy a Digital Rebel or a video camera...I will be a photographer or a videographer."  Let me tell you, I own some pens, some very nice ones indeed, but that doesn't make me a writer.  I own some nice pots, but I don't consider myself to be a chef.

The mindset of the customer has become, "mehhhh...it's good enough".  Many customers shortchange themselves these days by making decisions strictly based on price.  Sadly, many will get what they paid for.  I hear and see it quite often.  So let me say to you that it's better to pay slightly more than you were planning on than to have paid slightly less than you wish you had.  We are not always able to fix the bad video that many people bring to us that was shot by their uncle, their friend or by a so-called professional who has only 4 weddings under their belt.

There is also a huge surge in using family and friends to provide services at their wedding.  This might be ok, but could also have disastrous consequences.  If something goes wrong, the cake poisons everyone, the photos don't come out, etc., that could put a great strain on a friendship.  I've seen and heard of friendships ending over just such instances.  Also, the friend or family member will NOT be able to enjoy the wedding as a guest if they are working, no matter what you may think.  When you're at a wedding, you're either working or enjoying being a guest, there is no in-between.  I know, I've done over 2,000 weddings, a handful of those for friends and relatives...which I will NOT do again.

Hire a true professional to both get the quality that you want and to preserve the friend/family relationships that you have.  It's worth it!

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Permalink Reply by Joseph Testa on October 2, 2011 at 7:07pm

I know we've dropped our prices for rest of 2011 to give more brides the opportunity to get a video done with the way the economy is.

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