The decision to be a wedding videographer was not by chance. And definitely not by pure coincidence and not also by presumably of what maybe having a natural talent that I may have.What I can recall back then, it all started when one fine day, I was told by my boss that there was no annual bonus payout for me although my work performance was good on their record. Naturally, I was very frustrated. I told myself that if my employer don't pay for my bonus, then why should I complained. It was just a waste of time.
Then, an idea zoomed into me. Something inside my system told me that if they(the employer) don't have the bonus for me, then I should make 'the bonus' for myself. And that thought was more than 10 years ago. I felt at that time and am till today that idea may come quite easily. However, it was a difficult decision as to what can I do to make some money especially on weekends. It took me awhile. After much thought, I decided to take videos on other people's weddings.
Here are some of the obstacles that I encountered along the way.
No 1 Problem.
I was the sort of person who hate to go for wedding functions since teenager until my late twenties. Even my wife knows it very well.
Solution : I have to change my mindset.
No 2 Problem.
Since I seldom attended wedding functions, I was not aware to some of the Malay wedding customs like what to do after the 'Akad Nikah', 'Berinai' etc from the view angle of a video person. To be frank, I have forgotten until today who was my cameraman when the day I married in 1994! I simply cannot recall.
Solution : I have to ask around, especially to my wife and friends. Also, I have to attend to weddings invitations from then on. I always take the opportunity to observe what the cameraman or video man doing when on the scene.
No 3 Problem.
This is the biggest problem of all. The question is how do I take video for weddings.
How about the camera handling, techniques, style, video editing, secret of the trade in wedding videos etc.
Solution : Read good books from the National Library about videography to begin with. Also, I took courses from some freelance video men themselves. Some charged as high as $1000 which I did attended for a day course. ( But I was cheated actually). But I did take some courses that are mostly practical skills taught the seniors themselves.
Then, the next thing I do, was to practice and keep practicing faithfully with the video camera.
Above are the 3 biggest point that I remembered so far. I will add on soon.
As the saying goes, NO PAIN NO GAIN.
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