📸 Videographer Guide

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1. Shooting Requirements

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• Resolution: Record in 4K, 60fps minimum at all times. No exceptions. but try to shoot at 4K 120fps for cinematic moments (entrances, exits, first looks, dances), we've been to countless situations where 120p was gold!

• Preferred Cameras: Sony FX3 or comparable models featuring dual native ISO, excellent low-light performance, and reliable autofocus.

• Monitoring: External monitors strongly recommended to ensure accurate framing and exposure.​

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2. Recommended Camera Rigs

• Camera A: Gimbal mounted on a monopod (for dynamic movement and stabilized shots).

• Camera B: Tripod-mounted (for speeches, ceremony, and static scenes).

• Camera C: Tripod-mounted (for alternate angles during ceremony and reception).

• Camera Stability: Tripods or monopods must be used for all ceremony coverage (no handheld for vows), i personally use a gimbal on a monopd.

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3. Ceremony Camera Setup

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Two Cameras (Minimum):

• Camera A: Tight on the groom during vows; switch to wide for entrances and exits.

• Camera B: Tight on the bride throughout the ceremony.

Three Cameras (Recommended):

• Camera A: Wide establishing shot of ceremony space (locked-off or with movement if you are comfortable with it or if the environment allows it).

• Camera B: Tight on bride.

• Camera C: Tight on groom.​

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2. Style & Equipment

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• Depth of Field: Prioritize shallow depth of field for portraits and key moments (typically between f/1.2 and f/2.8), using deeper apertures for wide shots and group photos as necessary.

• Lens Selection: Use professional-grade lenses appropriate for weddings: primes (35mm, 50mm, 85mm) or high-end zooms (24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8), make sure to clean the lens before use!

• Camera Bodies: Dual camera setup is a must for versatility and as a redundancy safeguard, the more cameras you have, the better, and always check for a clean sensor, sometimes you have to do a pixel mapping with cap on to avoid having dead pixels.

• Memory Cards: Use dual-slot cameras with simultaneous recording to both cards when possible to prevent card failure data loss, and always have extra cards.

• Batteries: Always have extra batteries and make sure they're charged.

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4. Audio Setup

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Ceremony Audio:

• Place one wireless lav mic on the groom.

• Place a second wireless lav mic on the officiant (DJI wireless mics recommended).

Speeches and Toasts:

• Individually mic each speaker.

Backup Audio:

• Always record a secondary audio source (Field recorder to the DJ board or speaker output).

• Keep a long XLR cable.

• Audio Monitoring: Use headphones at all key moments to actively monitor live audio quality.

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5. Camera Settings

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Shooting Profiles:

• Sony: PP11 (S-Log3 / CineGamut)

• Canon: C-Log / C-Log3

• Panasonic: V-Log

• Shutter Speed: Follow 180-degree rule: shutter speed should be double the frame rate (e.g., 60fps = 1/125, 120fps = 1/250), failure to do so will cause jittery shutter with slowed down clips!

• Variable ND Filter: Mandatory for outdoor shoots to control exposure without altering aperture or shutter.

• White Balance: Usually i had success with auto white balance, but sometimes during indoor speeches i had to switch to manual. Target natural skin tones.

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6. ISO Best Practices

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• Keep ISO Low: Whenever possible, use the lowest native ISO setting to minimize noise.

• Dual Native ISO Usage: For cameras like the FX3, switch to the higher native ISO (e.g., 12,800) for low-light conditions instead of artificially pushing ISO.

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7. Exposure Guidelines

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• Subject Exposure Priority: Always expose for faces first, even if it results in minor highlight clipping (e.g., blown windows in background).

• Highlight Management: Whenever possible, preserve detail in white dresses, skies, and key background elements without sacrificing subject exposure.

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8. Focus

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• Use focus peaking when pulling focus manually to ensure accuracy.

• When using shallow depth of field (f/1.2 – f/2.8), focus is more sensitive — make sure subjects don’t drift out of the focal plane.

• Use continuous autofocus (AF-C) smartly — it’s helpful for walk-ins or motion shots, but test it with your lens-camera combo beforehand.

• In certain moments—such as a locked-off shot on the bride during the ceremony—switching to manual focus can prevent the lens from accidentally shifting to the groom or background. Evaluate each setup based on the movement in the frame and the environment, and decide whether manual or autofocus will give you the most reliable result.

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9. Drone Operation (Best Practices & Safety)

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• Certification: Drone operators must hold a valid Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (if drone is above 250 grams) and comply with all FAA regulations and local laws.

• Pre-Flight Requirements: Conduct an airspace check (e.g., with Airaware, Aloft, or AirMap) to ensure drone operations are permitted at the venue location.

• Perform a full equipment check (batteries, propellers, gimbal calibration) before takeoff.

• Assess wind and weather conditions; do not fly in unsafe conditions (high winds, rain, low visibility).

• Flight Restrictions: Maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level.

• No flying over crowds, ceremony gatherings, or tightly packed groups without prior approval.

• Always maintain Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) with the drone at all times.

• Safety First: Prioritize guest and vendor safety above all shot opportunities.

• If a venue or coordinator prohibits drone usage, comply immediately and professionally.

• Insurance: Drone operations must be covered under an active general liability and aviation insurance policy.

• Operational Discretion: No flying during critical ceremony moments (vows, prayers, etc.) unless pre-cleared by the couple and event coordinator.

• Drone use should be discreet and non-disruptive to the guest experience.

• Backup Plan: In case of no-fly zones, weather issues, or technical problems, a contingency plan for capturing aerial-style visuals (via ground-based gimbal shots) must be ready.

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10. Backup and Delivery

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• Footage Delivery: Transfer all RAW footage (memory cards or hard drive) within 3 business days of the event.

• Footage Backup: Retain a secure backup of all footage for at least 30 days post-delivery. Cards should not be formatted until delivery and backup are confirmed.

• Footage Labeling: Organize footage logically by camera (A, B, C) and major event segments (prep, ceremony, speeches, reception).

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11. Style Matching

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• Reference Our Work: https://Unveiledweddings.media/video

• Emotional Storytelling Priority: Clear, high-quality audio (especially vows and speeches) is critical to telling the couple’s story.

• Capture genuine emotions, candid reactions, laughter, and tender moments — not just posed or staged scenes.

• Shooting Style: Cinematic, emotional, natural motion (not overly static or robotic).

• Avoid aggressive zooming, rapid whip-pans, or handheld shakiness unless stylistically justified.

• For A-roll: Wide and closeup shots recommended.

• For B-roll: A good amount of establishing and details shots are needed.

• Editing Flexibility: Capture as much as you can & don't miss a moment, you never know what's going work in the edit, also longer shoot clips when possible to allow editors greater flexibility in post-production.

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12. Professional Conduct

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• Arrival: Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the ceremony begins. If you're traveling over 2 hours, allow extra time to account for traffic, unexpected delays, or incidents en route. Being early ensures you’re set up and ready without rushing.

• Appearance: Professional, low-profile attire (all black recommended) appropriate for weddings.

• Behavior: Be courteous and discreet.

• Minimize on-site chatter and distractions.

• Collaborate respectfully with photographers, planners, DJs, and other vendors.

• Couple First: Always prioritize the couple’s experience over getting the "perfect" shot.