For a long time, wedding videography was a balancing act between cinematic quality and bulky gear.
Since the introduction of the affordable consumer gimbal, however, compromises have become a thing of the past for wedding professionals.
These days, one person with a gimbal can capture footage that once would have required a multi-person team.
But gimbals can have a pretty steep learning curb — especially for those who plan on using them in a professional setting (like a wedding reception!).
Before you head out with a gimbal in hand, you’ll want to learn a thing or two about filming a wedding with a gimbal.
In this article we break down five tips for gimbal wedding videography, so you can head to your next gig with the confidence of a seasoned gimbal pro!
Keep reading to learn more!
1. Choose The Right Gimbal For The Job
Choosing the right gimbal is crucial when it comes to wedding videography.
With the right camera stabilizer, you can capture stunning footage without compromising on quality or lugging around bulky gear.
When it comes to selecting the right gimbal for the job, it’s important to consider your camera and shooting style.
Different gimbals have varying weight capacities, battery life, and compatibility with different cameras.
Some popular options for wedding videography include the DJI Ronin-S, Zhiyun Crane 3S, and Moza Air 2.
By choosing the right gimbal, you can capture smooth, stable footage of the big day without any technical difficulties.
So, before you head out with a gimbal in hand, do your research and select the one that’s best suited for your needs.
With the right equipment, you can create stunning wedding videos that will leave your clients thrilled.
Read More: The Best Gimbals For Beginners: Cheap & Easy
2. Plan Your Shots
Pre-planning your shots is an essential step for successful wedding videography with a gimbal.
The smooth, stabilized footage captured by a gimbal can make your shots look more professional and engaging, but it’s important to plan ahead to ensure you capture all the necessary footage.
If possible, visit the wedding venue beforehand to familiarize yourself with the layout and lighting conditions.
Look for potential obstacles and challenges you may face while using a gimbal and think of ways to overcome them.
This will help you adjust your shot plans accordingly and make the most of the available light.
Take time to compile a list of the key shots you want to capture, such as the bride’s entrance, the first dance, and the bouquet toss.
Having a shot list ensures that you don’t miss any important moments and helps you stay organized.
Communicating with the couple before the wedding can also help to understand their vision.
Ask them about any special moments they want you to capture and any restrictions you need to be aware of — having a clear understanding of their expectations helps you tailor your shot list and make sure you deliver a video they will love.
3. Choose The Right Settings
One of the advantages of using a high-quality gimbal, such as the Zhiyun Weebill S, is that it offers a range of different modes and settings that can be customized to fit your specific shooting needs.
For example, the Weebill S has several different modes, including the standard Pan-Follow mode, which keeps the camera pointed in a fixed direction while allowing you to pan left and right.
There’s also Lock mode, which keeps the camera pointed in a fixed direction and prevents any movement in other directions.
And finally, there’s Follow mode, which allows the camera to follow your movements in all directions.
When it comes to technique, it’s important to experiment with different modes and settings to find the ones that work best for your shooting style.
You might find that Lock mode is ideal for capturing stable shots of the ceremony, while Follow mode is better suited for capturing more dynamic shots of the reception.
Read More: Gimbal Modes Explained: How To Pick The Right One
4. Be Mindful Of Your Surroundings
When shooting a wedding with a gimbal, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings to ensure that you capture the best footage possible while also staying safe.
One of the biggest advantages of using a gimbal is the ability to move freely, but this can also be a disadvantage if you’re not careful — it’s easy to get overly focused on your shot!
It’s important to be mindful of your movements and the potential obstacles around you. Keep an eye out for any people, equipment, or other obstructions that could get in the way of your shots.
In addition to being mindful of physical obstacles, it’s also important to be aware of the emotional environment of the wedding.
Weddings can be emotionally charged events, and it’s important to be respectful of the wedding party and their guests.
5. Edit Wisely
Editing is a crucial step in the wedding videography process, as it allows you to choose the best footage and transform it into a polished final product.
However, when it comes to gimbal footage, it’s important to remember that not all shots will turn out great.
Gimbals can be tricky to use, especially if you’re still learning how to balance your camera or control your movements.
Thankfully, one of the benefits of using a gimbal is that you can always edit out any unwanted footage in post-production.
This means that you can be more selective about which shots to include in your final project, and you can ensure that your final video showcases the best of your gimbal footage.
When editing your gimbal wedding footage, start by reviewing all of the clips you captured during the shoot.
Look for the shots that are in focus, properly exposed, and have good framing.
Pay attention to the movements in each shot, and choose the ones that have smooth, stable motion.
Don’t be discouraged if some of your gimbal footage looks bad at first glance — remember that editing is your chance to choose the best shots and create a final product that truly shines.
Final Thoughts
Gimbal wedding videography has made capturing smooth and stable footage easier and more affordable than ever before.
However, using a gimbal comes with a learning curve that requires pre-planning shots, choosing the right gimbal and settings, building a rapport with the wedding party, being mindful of the surroundings, and editing wisely.
With the right approach, you can use a gimbal to capture stunning wedding videos that truly capture the essence of the couple’s special day.
By following these tips, you can develop your skills and improve your techniques, and be on your way to becoming a seasoned gimbal pro.
Happy shooting!
