Wedding Videographer Brandon Hughes
Wedding Videographer Brandon Hughes of Full Films shares his insights to his craft. Things you didn’t know about how to beautifully capture your special day. Documenting your wedding day is the best memorabilia you can have; photography has been the way to capture those cherished memories. A skilled photographer captures the beauty of the day, freezing intimate moments like a tearful exchange of vows, a joyful first kiss, or an exciting dance floor. These images become timeless keepsakes of the most cheerful day of your life.
With the rise of videography in the 1980s, newlyweds gained a new way to preserve their wedding memories thanks to camcorders, capturing the day from a documentary point of view. Now, video adds another dimension to the story, capturing the laughter, music, and atmosphere that photos alone cannot convey.
As a Film Production Major, I had the pleasure of interviewing Brandon Hughes, a seasoned Wedding Videographer with over 10 years of experience. Brandon’s films beautifully blend documentary storytelling with cinematic artistry, creating memorable narratives for each couple he works with. According to Brandon, the role of a wedding videographer is to capture the sweet moments that photos might miss while remaining inconspicuous. “You want to make sure the couple lives in the moment,” Brandon emphasizes. Seems easy enough? Let’s continue with Insights from a Wedding Videographer.
Preparation and Equipment
While the task may sound straightforward, a videographer’s job begins well before the wedding day. Preparation is key, starting with assembling your equipment for the wedding day. When I asked Brandon about his wedding-day essentials, he shared some insights into his gear setup:
“For weddings, I use Canon equipment exclusively. I usually set up a three to four-camera arrangement for the ceremony. My main camera is mounted on a DJI Ronin RS3 gimbal for stability and fluid movement. The Canon C70 is more of a compact cinema camera, part of Canon’s newer line. I prefer mirrorless cameras for weddings because they’re lightweight and allow for a more agile setup, which is essential for the run-and-gun nature of wedding events.”
Camera Setup
Brandon’s typical setup includes multiple Canon mirrorless cameras to cover various angles and moments throughout the day. “We use tripods for everything during the ceremony to ensure steady shots,” he explains. “The only camera not on a tripod is the main one on the gimbal. This allows me to capture dynamic, cinematic shots like the bride and groom’s entrance, the bride and groom’s first kiss, and the wedding party in action.”
Audio Essentials
High-quality audio is just as important as visual footage. Brandon recommends investing in reliable audio equipment to capture every heartfelt word. “I typically recommend using at least two recorders with Lavalier mics attached. It’s crucial to have recorders with XLR inputs to connect directly to the DJ’s system. This setup ensures we capture clear audio during speeches and toasts without interference.”
Additionally, Brandon does “love story” interviews during the prep hours. These stories from the bride and groom add a personal touch to the final video. Ensuring the audio is crisp and direct is essential for these segments.
The Importance of Lighting
“Lighting is one of the most important things for anything, really, especially in video. You never know what you’ll run into—some hotel rooms can be incredibly dim.” Brandon relies on techniques that enhance the environment to handle tricky lighting situations without bringing too much equipment. “For dimly lit rooms, I’ll generally bounce the light. If the ceiling isn’t too high, I’ll bounce the light off of it to illuminate the room.
Brandon recommends using at least two lights positioned diagonally across from each other for receptions and dance floors. “That way, when people are dancing or moving around, they’ll naturally hit the light no matter which way they turn. It’s especially effective for exposing the couple during the first dance or toasts.”
Brandon’s thoughtful approach to lighting ensures that every moment is captured clearly and naturally, without sacrificing the perfect venue.
The Importance of a Second Shooter
Brandon also highlights the significance of having a second shooter on the wedding day. “ The second shooter is just as important as the first shooter. As we can’t do everything.” A wedding is a huge event having many moving parts to capture. Having a second shooter helps tie up loose ends and ensures comprehensive coverage of the event. “We split up during the prep shots—I’ll take the bride, and the second shooter will take the groom. This way, we can efficiently document both sides leading up to the first look or ceremony.”
Staying Personable
Brandon’s key point is to remain inconspicuous while being personable. Weddings are emotional and significant for newlyweds, so it’s essential to make them feel comfortable. As a videographer, you’re also a bit of a director, guiding the newlyweds through poses and movements without being overbearing. “Most people, you know, it’s the 1st time getting married. They’ve never done this. And a lot of times people become awkward and weird on camera. So, It’s kinda up to us to make them feel comfortable so they can show personality to get the best shots.” Making them feel at ease ensures natural and genuine moments are captured.
However, as a videographer, your job is to capture footage and challenges may arise with delays. “Weddings can’t start without the bride and groom—that’s number one,” Brandon notes. Even when there are delays, like with makeup or getting ready, you have to stay flexible while making sure you get what’s needed. “I always tell my brides for example, while they’re finishing up their makeup, I’ll say, ‘After this, we’re going to do the interview.’”
Brandon explains that quick interviews or personal messages are meaningful additions to the final video and don’t take long to capture. “Even if they’re running behind, an interview isn’t going to take as much time as makeup or other tasks. A simple, heartfelt message can add a lot to the video without disrupting the schedule. You just gotta be kind of assertive with with them during that time period, but you know still kind.”
By staying personable but assertive, you can navigate delays while ensuring the newlywed’s day is documented in a way that’s both meaningful and stress-free. This balance is essential for creating an enjoyable experience and delivering a final product the couple will cherish.
Thank you to Brandon Hughes for sharing his expertise and Insights as a Wedding Videographer.
To watch Brandon’s work visit Brandon’s Website https://www.fullfilmswedd.com/weddings