Recently I was having lunch with a friend in the wedding industry (he owns a videography company), and he was telling me a story about a customer who had wanted to hire a professional videographer but was overruled by others on the committee that was planning the events surrounding the closing of an historic building. The person who did the video for the client “ran out of film” before the end of the program AND didn’t have the proper equipment to edit the video. My friend agreed to see what he could do to salvage the project. The client came in with a flip video camera! I’m sure my friend did the best he could, but you know, it just makes me so sad that there are people who are so cost conscious and/or simply believe that anyone can do what people who spend years honing their crafts can do. It just isn’t so. There have been many advances made in the technology of both still and video cameras. Have you ever given your camera to someone to take your photo and when you looked on the back of the camera, you wondered what the heck were they thinking–there’s a light pole growing out of your head, your left eye is in a half blink, and you’re slouching! (Is that a pretty picture, or what?)
How ’bout the phone call from the bride on a budget who said she found a photographer for $250 and wanted a videographer for the same amount. What is she expecting for $500? One of the most important days of her life…(hear the deep exhale at this point)
I have a another friend who is a professional photographer–been around forever. Didn’t get hired to do a job that he’s done on an annual basis for years because “someone has a camera.” What????!!! Does this person with a camera have a back-up camera? off camera flash units and light stands? understand lighting? have insurance? use Photoshop properly?
I am sad today thinking about all the people who are disappointed with the products they receive when they don’t choose professionals to do what we love to do and what we are trained to do. If you are in a position to influence the decision making of someone you care about, and they are looking for the “cheap” way to record an event that can and will never be done again, please encourage them to do their homework. Hire a professional. Allow us to be of service. I cannot and will not speak for everyone–however, I will say that the professionals I know and work with in our Birmingham area consider it an honor to be part of any event that is important enough to record, and we take our responsibilities seriously. Most of us really do love what we do–and it shows in our work. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to not only get the job done but to do it with good humor and grace. If you’re looking for a wedding professional, check out this site: AWEP.
The other night I attended a meeting of Alabama Bridal Consultants; someone at the meeting repeated this quote: “A referral is giving someone you care about the name of someone you trust.” Do people who aren’t in the business of providing a service care if they get referrals? They have nothing to lose if you aren’t happy. We care. Businesses, particularly service businesses, grow through referrals, period.
I’m stepping down off my soapbox. Thank you for listening. 
