Should I book a content creator for my wedding ?

A common topic among social media posts over the last year has been about a new emerging genre of wedding vendors called content creators. Among many of the questions asked on the "south wales weddings" facebook group is the question from brides of  "should I book a content creator for my wedding?"

Firstly let's address the role of a content creator and why this new wedding service is emerging in weddings in 2023 and into 2024.

What is a content creator ?

Generally speaking; photographers and videographers are also "content creators" and come under this banner too, as we also "create content" from a wedding day, but this new emerging role refers to someone who usually shoots video and photos vertically on their phone and is present also throughout the day so that instagram reels, tiktok and other social media videos, photos and content can be delivered immediately the day after the wedding!

As we head in to 2024, we live our lives more than ever before through stories, reels and posts on social media. Gone are the days of sharing a 30 minute wedding video on facebook which was the case 10 years ago! In today's fast moving digital world where attention spans seem to be getting less and less and what we all share is condensed down to 30 second stories or 90 second reels or tiktoks. Your wedding day posts or previews have been condensed too as we all attempt to give content to our followers and seek out the immediate instant gratification of "next day" wedding reels, stories and short clips from the wedding.

So what are the benefits of a wedding content creator ?

One of the benefits of a content creator is that because the content is all filmed and shot on a phone there is very little if any editing to do. This allows a very quick turnaround time so reels and stories can be created almost instantly! and delivered the next day! ... WOW sounds great !

What are they not telling you about content creators?

Whilst there are some amazing content creators out there, being a wedding content creator is somewhat different in that phones do not have the same quality as the camera kit used by wedding videographers or photographers! Or actual content creators who do this for a living as their full time job! Yes, actual real life content creators for companies, brands and marketing agencies use high quality audio and expensive camera kit ! Some of the time these are actually freelance videographers.

A videographer will still deliver a better quality film and audio of your day. Modern mirrorless cameras and lenses are way superior to the latest iphone for example. Photographers will also use flash and lighting correctly to ensure everything is properly exposed. So in terms of getting next day content, there is no one actually better to get this than a videographer!

Secondly what no one is telling you is that there is a wedding etiquette amongst wedding photographers and videographers on the day of the wedding. After all one of the hidden skills of a good wedding photographer is the ability to ensure and make you feel your day has run smoothly, so you feel comfortable and experience that sweet spot of having just the right amount of time for stunning photos and film to be captured whilst still being able to enjoy your day and mingle with your wedding guests. This is an unseen but significant part of the job of a wedding photographer, especially if there is bad weather on your wedding day.

Having a third person there on your wedding may actually be a hinderance to your videographer or possibly more so your photographer and the quality of content they are both able to get. So whilst you will  get "extra content" from your content creator you may feel as if an extra person there might just be too much and it can also affect what your photographer and / or videographer is able to get too. Some photographers will have clauses in their contract that prevent content creators shooting over their shoulder and generally "getting in the way" especially if they are already restricted on time on the day of the wedding.

Whats my advice for booking a content creator ?

From 15 years in the industry working as a photographer, my advice would be to ask your videographer if they can offer next day content creation of reels and stories from throughout your day. They are filming anyway and it would be better for them to shoot vertically on their mirrorless cameras which would give you better exposed and higher quality video or at least ask their advice on this. Don't forget these guys have years of experience of weddings too and will know your venue and the logistics of the flow of your day, They know for example the format of "how the confetti shot is done" at your venue, they'll know your photographer too and know how they work.

Communication is key among photographers and videographers to ensure the smooth feel of your day. Each wedding venue runs the day differently, the flow is different from venue to venue. Most of which is the unseen side of your wedding day. These are the bits we as professionals absorb as part of our job.

Just be careful who you book, as its a new service in the industry, having amazing reels or tiktok skills is one thing, and doing that for a company or brand as a 9-5 job is brilliant too, but knowing how to get great content on a fast moving wedding day in torrential rain or when timings are tight at your specific venue when you get just one chance at it is another!

The last hour of bridal prep as an example is fast paced and emotional. The last thing you want to be is overwhelmed by an extra wedding vendor who has little wedding day experience and might just get in the way of the quality of shots your photographer or videographer is able to capture.

But what if I don't have a videographer but want a content creator instead ?

If this is the case then I'd ask a good well known South Wales videographer to be your content creator for the day or ask your photographer to recommend someone. Sit down and explain exactly what you want from them. Make a list of favourite tracks, and show them the sort of reels and tiktoks you are after.

I hope this helps, I hope that doesn't sound too negative in any way, I think its great to have content the next day if thats what you want; and I'm sure the next 10 years will be full of content creators and other new wedding services such as virtual reality weddings as the industry evolves as it always has done.

My thoughts are though with it being such a new service I'd make sure you know exactly what your getting before book someone and ask advice from any of us photographers or videographers out there, we'll be only to happy to help or point you in the right direction, not only for the reasons above but because I've seen some poor attempts at people trying to pass themselves off as wedding content creators too!.... Karl x

Example of next day content creation below