Your wedding celebration is a once in a lifetime event and you don’t want to forget a single moment. This is why you’ve decided to hire a professional wedding videographer to document it. What if clips you would love don’t make it into the final film? Do wedding videographers even deliver raw footage? I’ll explain why many wedding videographers don’t offer raw footage and why I think offering it is a great option.

What is Raw Footage?

Raw footage means one of two things. Firstly it could mean the completely unprocessed video clips that come right off the videographers card. This is the least convenient option. You will receive a folder with hundreds of clips with no real way of finding specific moments from your day. All of these clips will have raw audio attached making many of them sound unpleasant and difficult to watch. I don’t recommend asking for this footage unless you plan on editing your own video from the clips.

The other kind of raw footage, the type I recommend, is an extended film set to music. This is allows you to watch every clip in order of capture from beginning to end. I like to think of it as a home video. There is no audio from the speeches and no horrible raw audio from the clips. Just the lovely clips themselves with a emotionally moving soundtrack laid underneath.

Do all wedding videographers offer raw footage?

Unfortunately, many wedding videographers are afraid to deliver raw footage to their clients. They think their only option is to offer completely unprocessed raw clips, or diminish the perceived quality of their films.

As I mentioned above, raw footage does not have to mean folders of unwatchable, unprocessed clips. After your videographer has made their “selects” creating a timeline containing all of these moments set to music is simple.

I believe every time I bring the camera to my eye it should be to document something important and interesting. Knowing all of my clips will be delivered makes me more present and careful. I’m less likely to “spray and pray” hoping I capture something good. Therefore I think all wedding videographers should offer raw footage. It’s a unique experience for couples, but it also makes us better at documenting weddings in an artistic way!

How much does raw footage cost?

The cost of raw footage will vary between venders. In Vancouver, Canada, you will pay between $300 – $1000 USD. Digital delivery of raw clips, with no editing, will be on the lower end of this range. Cleaned up clips set to music delivered on a custom USB or hard drive will fall on the higher end.

As raw footage is not often an advertised service it’s worth negotiating a price for the raw clips. This is especially true if you plan on purchasing a documentary edit.

Do you need the raw footage?

In my opinion the raw footage is definitely worth it. If it were my wedding I would want every last moment at my finger tips. Not every clip makes the final film. So, it’s nice to have the option of looking over everything they captured in an extended “home video” experience.

If you are still considering inquiring about raw footage let this be the push you needed. Watching your wedding celebration unfold with a heart touching soundtrack is an experience you don’t want to miss.

If you have questions about getting raw footage from your wedding videographer. Or, if you want to know my process when it comes to raw footage, email me at info@victorfox.ca. Alternatively, please comment on this post!

View my wedding videography packages here: https://victorfox.ca/pricing-guide