Where to find a student videographer?

Where are you located

Fort Myers, FL. A big city, that's why I thought this would be easier. Ugh

Call the local college, asked for the communications dept and they should be able to hang a sign for you.

Local film or art school....do make sure they're mindful of staying out of the photographer's way and working together. The problem with inexperienced ones. But if they know the parameters that will help.

I didn't think about that Robin, I wonder if maybe I'm just missing the programs because they would be under a different name than photography or something similar. I know they have a lot of Art programs, so maybe a student is interested in doing videos. I'll try calling the two big colleges around here tomorrow.

Good point Jay, thanks. I'll be sure to lay down the "ground rules" so to speak.

Well if you're looking for a videographer you don't want a photography major. You need to check film/directing majors. If you're willing to pay transportation costs (which won't be much if you use a student) check some of the major universities nearish to you...USF, UM...it's a few hours drive but they'll have bigger programs and bigger selection. Sarasota has a large arts community so you might find some directors there.

Yea, the closest videography schools I could find are Sarasota. That was going to be my Plan B if I can't find someone from Fort Myers. Some people charge crazy fees for traveling and hour/hour and half (with good reason, I'm not bashing them for charging those travel fees). You're right tho, students I'm sure wouldn't charge as high of a travel fee as the pros.

Fort Myers definitely has an arts life but is small and doesn't offer the same pool as Sarasota. Maybe decide that you'll post to film/directing majors that you'll pay $500 for maybe 6 hours of shooting? plus $150 travel stipend and say food will be provided. Ask for submissions of their work because every film freshman even has one. For a 22-year-old kid? That's a great gig for a day.

They wouldn't be majoring in photography. The major you may want to look for may be "Electronic Media". Which sometimes (strangely) isn't even under the Art major.

Our wedding should be 5 hours total, so maybe I could get away with $500 flat rate fee with travel included and a free meal. Still good money and experience for a college kid. I'll look into it. Maybe I'll ask the college teachers for advice on what to charge and what students they would recommend as well. Good point on the samples, I'll make sure to put that on my checklist of things to ask/say to them. Thanks.

Good luck!

I wasn't sure what the programs would be called, that's where I got lost. I know there was all kind of art programs and technology programs. I'll just start calling around to the schools and asking for what I need, sounds like it might be easiest thing to do. Haha.

Thanks everyone for all the tips and advice! At least now I'm more confident on finding someone. :-)

If your chief aim is to save money, don't hire a videographer at all. You get what you pay for. Hiring a student or recent grad is most likely not going to give you the quality you want. At the dnd of the road, all that will be left of the day is your memories and tjose that are documented in photos and/or video. Do you really want to take a chance on those memories being marred by someone who may or may not be competent ?

Don't hire one. A cheap video person or a student is not going to give you what what you're hoping for.

It's a laid back wedding, I'm not expecting an extravagant wedding worthy of a millionaires wedding. I just want something to look back on and hopefully catch some things the photos didn't. I don't want to setup a camera on a tripod and hit record tho, I don't even own a camera other than my phone. I'm the type to always give students and beginner's a shot, they need the experience and I know not to expect perfection, but in my personal experience, sometimes students are more focused and attention because they still have a passion for what they are learning vs someone who's been doing it for years and possibly burnt out. Everyone had to start from the beginning, people often forget where they came from. I'd rather take a $500 risk than a $1,300-1,800+ risk.

I like your attitude, Allison! I agree with giving people a shot, and everyone's gotta start somewhere. But just make sure that you go into it with your eyes open. The editing is everything in the wedding videos people post, and that's where lack of experience would be most felt. You might luck out with an awesome student, but it's more likely that you'll end up getting someone who is just a notch above a camera on a tripod. If that's okay with you, then great! Just don't be disappointed later. Most of my friends and family majored in film, and this kind of style isn't really something they ever focus on (ie: a documentary music video with no real narrative), so none of them will have experience with this. Also, film students and anyone working on film crews are SUPER busy. Their weekends are usually booked up shooting their own projects, or working on their friends' projects.

Keep us posted, and good luck! I really hope you find someone!

That's why I thought about talking to the teachers and having them recommend their top students, they know which ones could handle it if they've been working with them. I'll of course also ask for sample work and get the feel of what they are capable of. My dad's wedding was just a camera on a tripod in the back of the church recording the ceremony, but it was still nice to watch and look back on those memories. I loved watching it growing up and seeing me as a flower girl and then getting married. That's what I hope for my kids too, that they'll enjoy watching a video and getting to see themselves as FGs and RB.

The program is Communications in most schools with Media, video production etc falling under the Communications umbrella. I know... My son graduated in 2013 and that was his major. And Some kids aren't as good as pros but some really are! My sons stuff is really good and he actually was the head videographer for a few music videos while in college. He's now a producer. he did a few weddings while in college, charged 300 dollars and edited them so much he probably netted a dollar an hour but they got him

Noticed.

That's excellent about your son! :-) I'm in nursing and it's amazing how many veteran nurses hate training new nurses. I love it. I love getting their input and helping them learn new things and get their experience. I've seen so many older nurses just burnt out and miserable and nut caring about their jobs whereas new nurses often come in strong and eager to learn new things and can be a lot more helpful.

No one gains experience without having starting out new in the field. Imagine if everyone had the attitude of don't hire them, they are a beginner... no one would ever gain experience and be able to move up. Every photographer had to have their first session, every hair and makeup artist had to have their first client, every officiant had to have their first wedding... people often forget that and look over the "newbies".