How much should I spend on a Wedding Videographer in the Philippines?
There is a wedding videographer out there who is just right for your wedding and like anything, the product will reflect your return on investment. Simply put: you pay for what you get. For the purpose of this article we have categorized videographers into three; “The Amateur”, “The Professional” and the “The Artist.” A videographer in any of these three categories may be right for you, depending upon what you are looking for and what you are willing to invest. The price range fluctuates according to experience, skill level and the market area. Keep in mind that the estimated investments listed below are generalized for weddings in the Philippines and may differ in other market areas. So, let’s take a look at what is out there and give you a clear direction in your search for the best wedding videographer for you.
The Amateur Videographer
(Package rates < ₱100,000)
Entry level videographers are new to establishing their studio. Typically, these are individuals who had full time jobs working for other videographers. They started out filming as auxiliary staff for larger studios and decided that they want to take the leap of starting on their own. In terms of equipment, this is hit or miss as well. It will depend on how much investment the videographer has made but don’t be surprised if it’s not the latest and greatest. Everyone has to start somewhere and most videographers started this way.
RISK: Experience is the best teacher and videographers in this category are hit or miss with experience. Most have honed specific areas of the wedding videography craft but being second fiddle is very different from leading star. So, if you choose to go with this level of videographer you do run the risk that they lack the experience in running the full show.
REWARD: The most obvious reward is the lower price point. The other reward is that if you are lucky enough to find a new videographer (making their way up from entry level to professional) then they are going to be passionate about your wedding. They have a chip on their shoulder and need to get their name out there so they may be willing to do more for you at a lower price point then the recognized professional.
PRO TIP: If your potential videographer falls in this category make sure you have a clear and concise contract which outlines exactly what you are getting and when you will be getting it. You are risking quality of product and service, but you might just find the perfect match for your needs and budget. Remember, if the videographer could be charging more, they would. There is a reason they are a “good deal.”
The Professional Videographer
(Package rates ₱100,000 — ₱150,000)
These videographers have moved past the amateur level, are more seasons in running a studio, and are making a decent living at their craft. They have gone through more than a few wedding and are now perfecting their craft. They’ve seen, at least once, everything you can think of in a wedding videography shoot. Also, they realize that a happy bride is critical to their business remaining successful, therefore they know how to deal with every type of bride. Equipment wise, expect this professional videographer to have up-to-date, top notch equipment. Lastly, expect this videographer to have been around enough vendors to know most of the people they are working with so expect this videographer to know his way around not just the couple but around other wedding vendors as well.
RISK: Your risks are far lower with this videographer and as a result, you will pay more. You do run the risk that your videographer will not put the same passion into your wedding as this comes as a routine. This risk can quickly be assessed simply by meeting with the videographer face to face.
REWARD: Your videographer will have more experience, better equipment and will put your wedding before everything else. They will create a video that should exceed your expectations. You should feel well taken care of with this level of videographer.
BRIDAL TIP: If you can afford it, hiring a videographer at the professional level is a wise investment. Take some time and watch their samples online, they will likely be a good representation of what you are going to get and reserve them in advance as the really good professional videographers get busy quickly.
The Artist
(Package rates > ₱150,000)
If you are looking for a world class video, a true masterpiece in which you get to play the lead role, then this is the level of videographer for you. These are the videographers that fly all over the world filming and their work truly is amazing. More often than not, these videographers select their clients and are doing the work for a unique challenge or for the love of the craft.
RISK: You are the canvas for their art. This level of videographer is going to produce amazing work, but might be more concerned about how good the final video is going to look then how your wedding day unfolds. You also run the risk of an artist not “playing nice” with other vendors.
REWARD: You will have an amazing piece of art in which you are the star, your friends and family will be shocked and awes of your amazing video. Don’t be surprised with the thousands of views of your video online.
BRIDAL TIP: Do your research, if you have this sort of a budget for your wedding video then absolutely don’t limit choice to local videographers. Follow wedding blogs and find the style of a videographer that you like best and track them down. Lastly, plan on booking them in advance, at the very least, a year before your date.
In conclusion: Take the time to research. The above categorization is just a guide. There are great professionals with artist level work so a lot has to do with your eagerness to find the right match but remember to be realistic. If you have a budget for an amateur, don’t expect your videographer to produce the same quality as the artist. Overall, good luck on your search and we hope you find your dream wedding videographer with the above guidance.
This piece was inspired by an article from Dave Bigler. To find your dream wedding videographer please check out Trippix. For questions or recommendations on future articles, please email us at info@trippix.netor visit us at our social channels Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
