Wedding Videographer Alex Evans
from ‘EvokesProductions’ talks to us about why he loves a wedding!
Why do you enjoy doing wedding videography?
I simply love capturing and telling the story of the big day. Film offers a fantastic perspective that wedding photos alone cannot do justice - I enjoy getting to know the couple, and capturing those hidden moments (little conversations between guests, people milling around or playing), that would otherwise be lost forever or long forgotten.
Also, in the editing room, nothing can replace that moment where the whole flow of the story and music just clicks and comes together.
What are your favourite types of videos to shoot?
I'm a huge fan of shooting with electronic gimbal stabilisers for cinematic smoothness and low aperture 50mm lenses for a shallow depth of field. I'm at my most happy when the newlywed couple and I (and perhaps the photographer), take a moment away from the guests for some brilliant relaxed shots.
How do you go about planning your shots to capture the moment forever?
A great deal of the best shots are spur of the moment decisions (a guest is in a perfect position, or the light is just right), but generally I like to draw on my knowledge of the venue, work with the couples' schedule and take advantage of the 'golden hour', the moments around sunset, to really provide a beautiful final product.
All weddings are different, but follow a roughly similar formula - a lot of it is down to being in the right place at the right time; newly-wed couple walking back up the aisle...you have to be in the right place and ready to backstep to capture that special moment in true motion.
Do you have any favourite wedding moments which you were part of? Also have you had any unintentional wedding photos or film moments which were really special?
I always feel truly honoured to be a part of the bridal or groom preparations - tensions running high etc. It's a special part of the day that few get to see apart from the couple themselves. For the rest of the weddings I've shot, as I mentioned above, it's about being in the right place at the right time, being amongst guests and getting a feel for the story of the day that make the most magical moments.
When you're editing a wedding film for a couple how do you make creative choices about music and the story of the day?
I love using the same music that the couple feature on their big day in my final edits - whether it's the music you walk down the aisle to, or your first dance, it's a great way to pay homage to the newlyweds.
Most wedding films will follow the story of the day, the main events will dictate the flow of the film, with those little moments of magic interwoven throughout.
