Quality wedding photography has long been a staple for couples as they celebrate the big day. Increasingly, however, they’ve been adding videography to the services they want. Both forms capture and preserve the event, but in very different ways.
“If you want one thing documented in your life, you want it to be your wedding,” said Tim Hofacker of Ponte Vedra, a videographer who records weddings and other events.
As with still photography, a video record of the celebration brings out the emotion of the moment. But video also provides an extra degree of context and, viewed later, can take viewers back to that special day.
When Hofacker covers a wedding, he devotes eight hours to it. Because he offers different tiers of service, what the couple receives will vary. But some items are standard. For instance, each tier includes highlight and ceremony videos. At the upper tiers, however, more can be added.
Hofacker includes what he calls “first looks.” Examples might be the bride and her friends preparing for the wedding, the couple’s parents and the groom seeing his bride for the first time.
“This,” Hofacker said, “is a priceless moment.”
Images of the bride’s jewelry, the couple’s rings, the location and bouquets add to the end product. In addition, Hofacker can create a montage of still photos from the couple’s evolving relationship and incorporate it into the video. And he works with his clients to select the background music.
He can also “mic up” guests as they make speeches at the festivities. And during the informality of the reception, he can mix with attendees to record their testimonials. This element is sure to grow increasingly precious over the ensuing years.
“When a couple is in the midst of one of the busiest days of their lives, they want to just talk to everybody,” Hofacker said. “There are so many loved ones that they may not get around to.”
Who can put a price on the spoken sentiments of a favorite aunt or uncle or grandparent?
When selecting a videographer, it’s important to find out how much training and knowledge they have. Hofacker graduated in November 2022 from F.I.R.S.T. Institute near Orlando with a diploma in filmmaking and video production.
To learn more about Hofacker’s video services, go to hofackermedia.com.
