What’s the difference between a wedding videographer and a content creator?
Photo Credit by: Oliver Hartley
Weddings are a team sport. Being a part of the dynamic collaboration between wedding videographers and content creators has been an incredibly rewarding experience. There's beautiful moments that happen when two creative forces come together to capture and tell a couple's story. The seamless coordination between videographers and content creators is like a well-choreographed dance, where both elements are there to provide a service and quality experience to their couple. As you plan every detail to perfection, the question of who will document these precious memories arises. Should you hire a wedding videographer, a content creator? or do you hire both? Let's explore the nuances of each choice to help you make an informed decision.
It's more than just a job; it's a shared adventure where the sum is greater than its parts, and the joy of creating lasting memories is the ultimate reward.
Expertise in Wedding Dynamics
Wedding Videographer: A seasoned wedding videographer is not merely an observer but a storyteller, weaving emotions into every frame. They possess the art of being part of your wedding planning, capturing moments and the essence of the celebration with finesse that is truly aligned to the couples personality, their vision and ultimately the end product - their wedding film.
Wedding Content Creator: A wedding/event content creator excels in crafting social media content. They use an iPhone to capture authentic moments from a guest or 'behind the scenes' perspective, providing unedited footage promptly within 24 hours. Specializing in coordinating trendy TikTok dances, transformations, and transitions, they create 10-60 second reels for clients to share online. Unlike traditional photographers or videographers, content creators focus on short-form, immediate content without extensive editing or high-resolution production.
The Role as a Storyteller
Wedding Videographer: As a wedding videographer, I see myself not just as a videographer, editor, or producer, but as a storyteller weaving my couples narrative into their final product. Each couple has a story to tell and it’s my job to tell that story and produce a film that’s aligned with who they are. I craft a wedding film for them, for their children and create an heirloom that’s worthy of standing the test of time.
Wedding Content Creator: A wedding content creator serves as a master in capturing these moments with a phone camera as they arise. Taking photos and videos that allow you to visualise what its like being there again. The deliverables for a content creator is typically the RAW content and perhaps some vertical short films 15 seconds or less. These are typically without story however provide a great sense of seeing what was happening in that moment.
The Process and End Product
Wedding Videographer: Clients highly appreciate the services delivered by the individual, recognizing the exceptional quality of the end product provided. The utilisation of high end cameras and high-quality recording equipment, lights etc underscores a commitment to delivering a superior visual experience. The end product for a wedding videographer is a polished film, with music, sound design, story, narrative and visuals that evoke emotion.
Wedding Content Creator: The convenience of content creators using their iPhones to capture portrait films is notable. This approach ensures a swift and accessible means of documenting moments, with the creators making sure there are no moments missed. The simplicity of using a familiar device adds a layer of comfort and ease, enabling the content creators to focus on the genuine emotions and noteworthy moments that unfold during the wedding. The lack of high resolution cameras and audio also means the level of quality cannot be compared to a videographer however receiving hundred of behind the scenes images and videos from your wedding day although unedited and unpolished is very valuable.
Price and Packages
Wedding Videographer: The costs associated with the prices and packages offered by a wedding videographer vary considerably. As the skills of wedding videographers vary, so do the prices and market perception of those prices. A wedding videographer has the added post of post production, actually producing a film that tells your story, your narrative. This process contributes significantly to the overall cost, emphasizing the importance of understanding the nuances involved in the pricing structure.
Wedding Content Creator: With weddings, there are markets within markets just like videographers, and there are different price and quality points. As content creation is an emerging role, the easy of entry point into a content creation business is concerning but as always the cream rises to the top! Content creators will in almost all cases be more affordable than a videographer. So if you’re on a budget and still want moving frame then a content creator is a great option.
Elevating the Client Experience
Wedding Videographer: A wedding videographer is your personal hype man, your storyteller, third wheel, and bringer of good vibes. All about capturing the natural moments. The ‘nothing’ moments turn into the ‘everything’ moments. The fuzzy feelings. The belly aches from laughing. The intimate moments. The crazy dance moves and just having a bit of fun on your wedding day that reflect who you both are.
Wedding Content Creator: The distinction lies in the depth and versatility of content creators. The raw footage of videos of content creators introduces an entirely different process for the couples. This creative opportunity allows clients to piece together snippets, share highlights, and create a unique narrative that reflects their style. This also allows the couples to edit clips on their phone and have them posted on their social media.
So what should I do?
This is a question that can only be answered by you. I’ve touched on some main points that may be the deciding factor. Both wedding videographers and content creators have separate roles and in my opinion, the value a content creator offers is here to stay but their role should be considered completely separate from a wedding videographer. Understanding your priorities will guide you toward the choice that aligns with your preferences and expectations. Want to know my recommendation? If the budget allows, have both. Imagine the synergy of a wedding videographer and a content creator coming together – it would be nothing short of epic!