Five Tips for Finding a Qualified Video Professional

Beware of the amateur video “Pro” Five tips for finding a qualified Video Professional

With advances in technology over the last several years the image quality of consumer level camcorders has risen significantly. At the same time, prices for these cameras and the software available to edit video continues to drop. As a result, there are many people in the market that are calling themselves “professional videographers” when in reality they are just people who have spent a little more than the average Joe on equipment and software and have thrown themselves into the industry to make a quick buck. Although their pricing may be appealing upfront, disappointment and unmet expectations are usually the end result.

The good news is that when armed with a little information, you can easily weed through the amateur videographers and develop a short list of qualified professionals. Here are 5 helpful tips to assist you in narrowing down your search for a true video pro.

Check out their website
In this day and age, anyone offering professional video related services for wedding video, event videos or corporate/commercial video production should have a website. If they have not invested the time and effort to create one, chances are they are not a serious video professional. Spend a few minutes checking out their website and viewing demo clips if they are available. Although a great looking website does not guarantee a great videographer, it is a quick and easy way to get information about their company and see how they have chosen to portray themselves to the public.

Ask what professional organizations do they belong to?
Successful and serious professional video companies will typically get involved or become members of industry related organizations. Many of these organizations require ongoing dues and a level of commitment from their members. Examples include The Association of Video Professionals, National Association of Broadcasters and WEVA just to name a few. Also check to see if they are members with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau.

Request information on pricing and packages
Beware of videographers and companies that are only willing to offer pricing verbally or in email text. Make sure you request any marketing materials or production rate cards they have for the type of project you’re looking to have done. If they don’t have something developed along these lines, it’s likely they are amateurs!

Ask to see samples of their work
Most professional videographers will have demo material on their websites. If not, don’t rule them out but definitely request that they send you samples of their work. If possible, ask to see an entire completed project. Short demo reels are a good reference but they always consist of the best clips edited together. A completed project will give you a better idea of the overall production value they are delivering to their customers.

Ask for references
This may seem obvious but it’s a step that so many people fail to take. Make sure you ask for more than one reference. Ask the videographer to explain what each project was, what was involved, and what was delivered. When talking to the reference, verify this information and get their perspective on the ENTIRE process. Quality of the final delivered product is very important but you also want to find out how they were to work with. Did they communicate well? Did they present themselves professionally? Did they deliver on-time and within budget? Would you use them again? Would you recommend them to someone else?

Bottom line, there are significant differences in what a competent video professional will deliver compared to an amateur with a decent video camera. If you follow the steps outlined above, your short list should be free of any amateurs. Now you just need to determine which professional videographer is the right fit for your project.