Justin Porter and Matt Johnson don't like the current meta (our basic wedding films suck)

[@lyndonlabayan]

I'm covered in dog fluff. I'm excited to try something new with wedding videos!

[@Piximpress]

I wholeheartedly agree with your perspective on this matter. It's crucial not to adopt a dogmatic approach when it comes to the art of wedding videography. Each artist has their unique style, and there's no universal right or wrong in terms of shooting and editing preferences. While certain aspects like shaky footage, poor audio quality, or unfavorable color profiles are generally unacceptable, opinions on specific creative choices may vary. Dismissing Matt Johnson's suggestion against opening a wedding film with a drone shot as too dogmatic, I recall a bride's positive feedback. She specifically requested a drone opening because it resonated with her personal preferences. While Justin Porter's wedding video style may be deemed cool, it's acknowledged as a bit excessive from a personal standpoint. Most of the couples I work with appreciate my unobtrusive approach. They value the fact that I capture their special day without them feeling my presence. Many have even mentioned forgetting that I was there, marveling at how I captured certain moments without their awareness. To my fellow videographers, I encourage continuous learning and improvement with each wedding shoot. Strive to adapt and grow, while finding joy and satisfaction in your work.

[@lyndonlabayan]

That is an excellent take and a way of putting it. Totally agree and thanks for that. Justin's comments section kinda becomes an echo chamber and it's easy for a less experienced shooter to see all the positivity and think that this is it! This is the future everyone wants! My examples from Kaco and Ray Roman are a reminder to myself that it really comes down to tastes and it's ok to like what I like. Thanks again!

[@pshyk]

Everyone has their own unique style, I make movies that I like, and then I get booked for those films by couples who liked them too. It's impossible to go above and beyond to make the best video for all brides, but it is possible to find the right brides for whom you will make the best video.

[@filmandflourish]

Firstly, I wish people would stop giving these two the attention they're getting. There might be "amateurish" ways to film weddings, or ugly ways to film weddings, or "boring" ways to film weddings, but no other videographer is your client. Love and serve your couples. They are paying you. They are who you're in relationship with. There are hints of truth in what they're both saying, but they present their opinions with big heads and not humble hearts and I don't like it. Bad look from people calling themselves "educators" and leaders in the space. Not sure why people are so drawn to ego driven, "hot take" wielding people who care more about their following online than their couples (that's how it comes off online). Just my take.

[@mr.s4849]

I think a drone shot with the purpose of establishing the scene is still useful. What I dislike is the drone shot from 399 feet (or higher). Go low and get closer! As far as frame rates go, I wonder if real cameras will do what some phones have started doing, AI copying frames so that something shot in 24 could be slowed down smoothly in post.

[@ocimaging]

Some of what Justin said resonates with me as I've had the idea to do wedding videos different and include certain dialog. In addition based on shooting straight 6k 24fps since purchasing the S5IIX I will also agree that the entire wedding shouldn't be shot in high frame rates. The best thing iny mind would be to be able to do either style as different clients prefer different things. A mix of the two may be the best bet.

[@karensurgery3845]

Matt Johnson and Justin can say whatever they want, both of them make wedding videos that are super vanilla both footage quality wise and editing.

[@aefilmsweddings]

I love Matt and Justin, their work is really good and they do an awesome job, but I loathe blanket statements like this. It's all subjective and there's no truly wrong way to do this. Find a style that suits you and people will book you if they like it. I think you hit the nail on the head a bit though, both Matt and Justin sell courses on how to create wedding films like they do so of course they're going to push their styles as the 'right way' more.

[@588ta]

Justin Porter . Thats his style it may not be everyone's else.

[@JaanB8805]

Drone shots are used to tell where this story takes place, if it fits to the beginning of a story. If you have seen some movies then youll understand.

[@JacquelineKayPhotography-ry2zi]

I just started with wedding video last year and I obviously have room to grow (just got my camera for video last yr so I have little experience compared to most). The last 2 weddings I shot I've been more focused on the people, family, etc. Thinking down the line, when we all pass away these families will have something to hand down. I've concluded I need to and have to focus really conveying who the people really are. Again, I'm new, but when you browse youtube wedding videos 80% look the same and feel so static and each couple feels the same. It almost comes across as scripted. A mix of home video, some stylized, with a bit of documentary is what I'm hoping to lean into going forward.

[@lyndonlabayan]

Well said. I think that's a great approach!

[@HwayVision]

I was member of justin Porter Academy, and i will be candid about "Justins style" and the industry in general. 1. 60 fps isn't a "crutch" like you say. It is the content of most modern videographers. It is the A roll and not the B roll. It is used as the main content and not as it is supposed to be, which is complentary. Btw this wedding video style was created by PHOTOGRAPHERS not actual story driven directors, dps, etc. We need to stop it. Our couples dont actually like it, its just all they know. 2. "justins style" is expensive, and his results are not easily replicable. Because the reality style is not widely adopted, only a few will be able to benefit from the label. What is the actual turnaround for those of us who learned the reality style to now making great money? It is very low because the reality style also IS NOT BEST SUITED FOR EVERY CLIENT. As a business strategy, basing your present day off of something new is a bad move, but if you can pull it off, it is very rewarding in the future. 3. Content creators have changed our industry. With the introduction of content creators, the wedding video offering has to change. With their presence, it has challenged our current position we have been holding on to. The reality is that the supply is immense, and most wedding videographers are only doing it super part-time (5-15 per year) to make extra money. While there is nothing wrong with this, the problem that this poses is that there is no consistency in the market. Prices differ entirely, and some are way too high to justify while some are too low to be taken seriously. This industry has no checks and balances, so this is to be expected. "Justins style" i would say, is the only style that justifies a large price tag. I know jake weisler films with 2 fx3s and the bare minimum gear that most videographers have that are 5 times cheaper. With those guys, i could see a 2x mark up because of experience and demand, but not 5x. They are only doing this because they can. This needs to end. 4. Videographers are experiencing the least bookings they ever have, and the guys on top are getting richer than they ever have. Survival of the fittest, and in this case, we should be focused on what value do we provide to our client. Whether you go with justins' method or your own, the question still remains. In the end, no matter how much you love your product, the market dictates the need for your product. If the market is not buying, it is your job to find what best suits your bottom line while aligning with the desire of the market. It's time for all of us to do better and stop doing the bare minimum.

[@endah08]

I think one of the problems with drone shots and why I got sick of them very quickly is that they're very impersonal. They may be of a beautiful landscape but there's no personality and they could well just be stock footage. There's a little bit of a 'seen one, seen em all' thing with drone shots for me.

[@waynosfotoscameras]

I am sorry, "who is Matt Johnson" is completely wrong. Slow-motion makes the video look expensive and elegant, why luxury shooters do it. Drone shots establishes the venue, the single most expensive thing the couple spends their money on. Environment shots help transition between scenes. The highest paid wedding videographers in the world do this for a reason. MATT Johnson is not a luxury shooter. Yes, he has some good advice, but he is clearly wrong here.

[@mex5341]

he is right . all the videos are now the same

[@waynosfotoscameras]

I don't think that is true