They say that eyes never lie, that a single gesture can tell a whole story. And that’s exactly what we look for when we shoot a documentary wedding video: to capture the truth, the emotion, what can’t be repeated.

As wedding videographers, we’ve been there for intimate and vibrant moments, tears that weren’t meant to be, and laughter that escaped from the soul. And we know that for all of that to happen, for the video to speak of the real thing and not choreography, one thing is essential: that you feel comfortable in front of the camera.

No need to act. No need to pose. Beauty is in being. But we know that it’s not always that easy. That’s why today we want to share 5 tips so that on your wedding day you can relax, enjoy… and let the video tell it all.

1. Trust the process (and the team behind el ethe camera)

One of the phrases we hear the most when meeting with clients is ‘I’m not used to being filmed’. And as a rule, most of us are not. But the difference between a posed video and a cinematic wedding video is in how we approach what is happening.

Our approach as a wedding videographers is always documentary. This means that you won’t have to repeat anything. You won’t have to look at the camera. We won’t ask you to smile. Our presence aims to be discreet. And most importantly: human.

Trusting the process is knowing that everything important is happening in front of you, and that we will be there to capture it honestly. The wedding video is your ultimate concern, and the more you forget the camera, the more authentic the result will be.

2. Make the camera your ally, not your enemy

The camera is not there to judge you. It’s there to help you remember. To document the small gestures that sometimes even you don’t notice. The way your partner looks at you while you talk. The way your skin crawls at the first hug of the day. That laugh that only comes out when you are fully present.

Many people feel they have to ‘act’ differently when they are being recorded. But in the approach we take as a documentary wedding videographers, it’s just the opposite. The more you are you, the more powerful your wedding film will be.

Imagine that the camera is like a guest: someone close by, not interrupting, but there to remind you of the essentials. If you can change the perception from ‘they are filming me’ to ‘they are accompanying me’, everything flows more freely.

3. Surround yourself with an environment that makes you feel good

The environment is everything. From the space where you prepare, to the people around you. If you feel confident, relaxed, cared for, it shows in your body. And the body doesn’t lie in front of the camera.

That’s why one of the tips we always give is to choose carefully who will be with you in the moments leading up to the shoot. Make sure that the place has natural light, that the music played is the one that connects you, that the rhythm of the day is designed to breathe, not just to run.

A good wedding video doesn’t just depend on spectacular settings – although there are some – but on you being present. And that’s achieved by creating a friendly environment. Where you can laugh, cry, move, without feeling like you’re ‘being watched’.

4. Don’t try to be perfect: be you

When you allow yourself to let go of the idea of how you ‘should look’ or ‘how it should be’ your wedding, the most valuable thing comes to the fore: your story. And that’s what will make you recognise yourself when you watch your video years later.

5. Remember why you’re there

 

You’re there to celebrate love. To commit to someone you choose every day. To share with your people who you are together. The camera is just a witness. One that, if you let it, can tell that story with depth and beauty.

When you remember what is important, the fear of ‘getting it right’ disappears. Because you know that the truly beautiful thing is already happening: it’s your story, and it deserves to be told truthfully.

A video that talks about you

We have travelled the world as wedding videographers: Spain, France, Argentina, U.S.A… and in each place we look for the same thing: that people forget that there is a camera. That they live the day to the full, that they laugh, that they hug each other, that they cry if necessary. Because it is in those moments that the magic happens.

Our job is to create a film that you can watch ten, twenty, thirty years from now… and feel it all again as if it were today.

If you’re looking for a wedding video film that doesn’t feel acted, but lived, we would love to talk to you. Because your story deserves to be told like a great film.

Mobile: +34 624 500 388
Instagram: @nicobastacinema
Mail: info@nicolasbasta.com