Why should I have my wedding professionally videotaped?

Market surveys show that couples that have their wedding professionally videotaped are happy with their decision and highly recommend to engaged couples to have a professional videotape their wedding. Highlights of one of those studies are posted here: market study.

Do you record in Standard Definition or High Definition?

We can videotape your wedding in either high-definition or standard. All of our cameras are professional quality and provide superb images that can be viewed on both standard and high-def televisions with outstanding results.

Why 2 cameras and 2 videographers?

More angles and more subjects can be filmed with multiple cameras. Our experience has shown that 2 cameras are the minimum needed for your ceremony and the maximum you’d want at your reception. And with 2 videographers, we can capture all those special moments (your vows, your kiss, your first dance, etc.) with multiple angles to make your video memorable and more cinematic. We can complement your production with additional cameras as the situation dictates.

Why do you attend our rehearsal?

If time allows, we will attend your rehearsal to make sure that we know, in advance, the details of your ceremony. Details such as where you will enter and where you will stand give us time to plan camera placement and movement. This also gives us an opportunity to know what boundaries we cannot cross. And no, we will not crash your rehearsal dinner, unless you want us to.

What is a highlights video?

A highlights video is a highly condensed version of your entire wedding day (some people call it a "short-form" film). We set the highlight video to music and can even give your highlights video that "old-time" film look, or a "video-still montage" if you desire. We include the highlights video as a standard feature on your master disc (for the Masterpiece and above).

What is a photo/video montage?

A montage is a pre-produced "slideshow" of your growing up and "together" photos. It can, and often is, shown during the reception and even your rehearsal dinner. Alternatively, we can take the formal and/or candid shots from your wedding day and produce this video afterwards. This montage will be a standalone disc and can also be included as part of your wedding disc.

What is your filming and editing style?

Our style is traditional (and documentary/photojournalistic) in nature, cinematic in style, meaning that we do not film crazy angles and the like, and we do not edit in bizarre methods. Our goal is to provide you with a keepsake that is non-offensive and can be shown to your grandparents and small children. Having said this, we do take creative license to create a memento more cinematic than filming alone.

Do you interview our guests?

Not normally. Often times, guest are too "shy" or unwilling to offer any thoughtful words on camera, and if there is alcohol involved, the words can, and often do, get vulgar and offensive. However, if it your desire for us to interview your guests, we will accommodate your request but ask that you arrange the subjects in advance. Also, it should be noted that when we are interviewing guests we could be missing other significant happenings.

Can you put our video on the internet?

Only by special request do we offer internet delivery of your video as a part of our packages.

Do you offer other services?

Yes, we specialize in filming a wide range of various events: school plays, dance recitals, sports competitions, memorial and funeral services, and so on. We can also transfer old film and video tape, audio tape, slides, and duplicate any number of video's, cd's, and dvd's. See us at McKenna Video Services (www.mckennavideo.com) and Chris McKenna Photography (www.chrismckennaphotography.com) for more information.