Essential Questions to Ask Your New Orleans Wedding Videographer
Updated: Oct 10
Choosing a wedding videographer involves more than comparing highlight reels and prices. You also want to understand how they capture audio, handle low-light venues, work alongside your photographer, protect against equipment problems, and deliver the final film.
Before booking, ask these questions to better understand a videographer’s experience, approach, equipment, packages, and wedding-day workflow.
1. "How many years of experience do you have as a New Orleans wedding videographer?"
I've been producing video since 2005 and filming weddings since 2015. My experience includes ceremonies, receptions, live music, second lines, and celebrations throughout New Orleans and South Louisiana. That background helps me anticipate important moments while adapting to changing lighting, venue restrictions, and wedding-day timelines.
2. "Can you show us some samples of full wedding films you made?"
By asking for full wedding films, you get to see how the videographer documents the entire event, which can help you gauge their skills and style better.
3. "How would you describe your filmmaking style?"
Every New Orleans wedding videographer has a unique style that sets them apart from others. Whether it’s documentary, cinematic, or a mix of both, ensure their style matches what you envision.
At Chad Populis Photography and Videography, we lean towards a documentary style of shooting to best capture the raw emotion of the day to tell your wedding story. We edit our footage in a cinematic style to enhance the visual appeal.
4. "Are you familiar with our chosen venue?"
This could give the videographer an upper hand as they possibly would know the best locations to get the perfect shots.
We have shot at over 3 dozen separate venues and have visited dozens more in other capacities as guests and vendors.
If you are still comparing locations, browse my New Orleans wedding venue guide for venue-specific photography and videography considerations, lighting, portrait options, and planning notes.
5. "What type of equipment do you use?"
Good-quality equipment contributes to good-quality videography.
We use full-frame Sony mirrorless cameras and professional lighting equipment to best capture your video
6. "Do you have backup equipment?"
Anything can happen during the event, and you want to be sure that they come prepared.
Yes we do. We have a minimum of 2 cameras at every wedding event to ensure all of your most precious moments aren't missed. We have several backup batteries as well.
7. "How many cameras do you use during the day?"
The more cameras, the more angles covered.
We use at least 2 cameras per event. During the ceremony, we will have up to four cameras during the ceremony when the timeline and venue allow.
8. "What’s your approach to capturing sound?"
High quality sound is equally important as high quality video in your wedding film.
During the ceremony, we use on-camera boom microphones, wireless lapel microphones on the groom and/or bride as well as an external audio recorder to capture all important audio. The captured audio results in a high quality, professional sound.
9. "How do you handle lighting in low light conditions?"
Poorly lit venues can be challenging, but a good videographer knows how to work with it.
While we prefer to use as much natural light as possible, most venues are darkly lit and we will have lighting mounted on our camera rigs and depending on the venue, we may have stationary light sources.
10. "What's the timeline for the delivery of the final product?"
For my wedding videography packages, highlight films are typically delivered within 6–10 weeks. Teasers or trailers, when included, are generally delivered within 3–7 days, while longer documentary-style edits may require 8–12 weeks.
Your expected delivery schedule will be outlined in your agreement, and expedited editing may be available depending on my schedule.
11. "Can you explain your package options?"
I offer four wedding videography packages—Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—starting at $1,750. Coverage ranges from 8 to 10 hours, with different combinations of highlight films, professional audio, full ceremony edits, reception coverage, and additional videos.
You can compare my New Orleans wedding videography packages to see current pricing and deliverables. Customized coverage options are also available.
12. "Do you offer a highlight reel in your package?"
Yes. All four of my wedding videography packages include an edited highlight film, ranging from approximately 3–8 minutes depending on the package. A separate full ceremony edit is included with Silver, Gold, and Platinum, while additional films, trailers, and social media clips depend on the selected package or add-ons.
13. "Will the video be delivered in high-definition?"
In the age of 4K TVs and high-res devices, why compromise on resolution?
We deliver all our Video at 4K resolution on USB drive and upload in 4K to our Wedding Video Youtube Channel.
14. "Will you be the one shooting our wedding?"
Wedding videos are professionally edited and delivered digitally through a private online video gallery. A keepsake USB is available as an optional add-on.
I film in 4K, with final delivery specifications confirmed as part of your selected coverage and agreement. Wedding films are not automatically published publicly without the appropriate permissions.
15. "How will you work with our photographer?"
Teamwork between your photographer and videographer is key.
As both a wedding photographer and videographer, I understand how important coordination is between the two teams. We plan camera positions, portraits, ceremony coverage, lighting, and major reception moments so photography and video can work together without unnecessarily blocking each other’s shots.
Couples who also need photography can explore my New Orleans wedding photography coverage and packages.
16. "Will the footage be color graded?"
This creates a more cinematic look for wedding films.
We capture all of our raw footage in Sony's S-Log 3 Cinema picture profile. this allows for us to capture the best color and contrast range for our editing style. We like brighter shadows and subdued highlights as well as lower saturated colors, with a slight boost in contrast.
17. "Who retains the copyright to our wedding video?"
I retain copyright to the video footage and completed films I create, while clients receive the usage rights outlined in their wedding videography agreement.
Couples can enjoy and share their finished wedding films for personal purposes. Commercial use, third-party licensing, and other uses beyond the agreement should be discussed separately, particularly when the film includes licensed music.
18. "Will there be any additional charges that aren't included in the package?"
Nobody likes unexpected charges.
All required fees will be clear and upfront and all charges will include the deliverables agreed upon in the contract and/or within the invoice. Any extras the videographer chooses to include will NOT incur a charge to the customer. Any additions not in the agreement requested by the customer may incur additional charges.
19. "Do you require a deposit?" This will help you in your budget planning.
Yes. A signed wedding videography agreement and retainer are required to reserve your date. The retainer amount and payment schedule are provided with your proposal, and the remaining balance is due 24 hours before the event begins.
20. "What is your cancellation policy?" Because sometimes, unforeseen circumstances happen.
You can cancel at any time without additional obligation, but you will forfeit your initial deposit as this is not refundable. We have expenses (new batteries, rent necessary equipment, pay team members) to cover for every event and we pay much of these in advance using the deposit. We also decline several other potential customers after securing your event date and may not be able to secure a new booking.
Ready to Choose Your New Orleans Wedding Videographer?
Asking the right questions helps you understand what you're paying for, how your wedding will be filmed, and what you'll receive afterward.
Explore my New Orleans wedding videography services and wedding video packages to compare coverage and watch examples of my work.
If you'd like to discuss your wedding date, venue, and filming priorities, contact Chad Populis Photography for availability and a personalized quote.
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