Wedding Videography: Making a Shot List

In wedding and event videography you have one chance at getting the shot; one chance to get it correctly, before the moment has passed forever. Since there are no re-dos in wedding and event videography, a shot list can be extremely helpful in organizing your shoot and ensuring you capture everything you will need to make a great wedding video. Building a shot list takes no time at all and will save you for the additional stresses of trying to remember if you got everything. Some things you will need to be sure to capture are:

• Cutaway shots, and plenty of them. These will save you during the editing process, as well as add to the richness of the viewer's experience. These shots can include: flower arrangements, candles, the cake, the presents, and so on.
• Establishing shots will allow you set the scene for the wedding. Whether you're shooting the ceremony or reception, be sure to get shots of the building's exterior, guests arriving and signs announcing the event.
• The ceremony and reception are full of moments that absolutely should not be missed. Keeping a shot list of all of the planned events will help you keep track of where you and your camera need to be.

There's a lot going on at a wedding event. Being unprepared can contribute to missed moments and unhappy clients. Taking the time to plan your shots prior to the event will allow you to focus on the quality of your shots during the event. With the use of shot lists, you'll never again worry about forgetting a necessary shot. For more ideas of shots to include on your shot list, what to put on your gear checklist and tips for covering the bride's entrance, read Videomaker's article Wedding Ready: A Beginner's Guide to Wedding Videography.