My Journey into Hybrid Wedding Photography & Filmmaking
When I first started in wedding photography, I never imagined I’d be offering video alongside my photos. But here I am, fully immersed in hybrid shooting - capturing both stills and motion to tell a wedding story in a way that feels truly alive.
Where it all began
I’ve always loved the emotional impact of photos paired with music. When I used to deliver photo slideshows to couples, I adored how the images came to life with the right soundtrack. But I wanted more - I wanted the moments to move, to breathe. That’s when I realised that adding video could take storytelling to another level.
At the same time, I saw an opportunity. I was already there at the wedding, documenting the day. Why not offer another dimension without adding more bookings to my already packed schedule? I was already there, capturing a couple’s story—why not enhance it? I’d seen other photographers dabble in it, so I thought, “Could it really be that easy to flick between photo and video?” Spoiler: It wasn’t. But I was up for the challenge.
Learning the Craft
I started purely as a photographer with zero intention of becoming a full-fledged videographer. No drones, no full speech recordings. Just another way to capture a wedding day. There was even a moment when I considered transitioning fully into videography, but the idea of listening to the same soundtrack repeatedly while editing (instead of a true crime podcast) quickly killed that dream.
So, I taught myself. I studied videographers on YouTube and analysed wedding films. I even pulled out old notes from my teaching days - back when I ran a National Lottery-funded after-school video club for Year 6 students. That full-circle moment helped me grasp video fundamentals and refine my storytelling approach. I tested techniques at styled shoots, and practised a lot. I felt like a beginner again (because I was!) and did all the things I did in the beginning when I started as a photographer. I wanted to work through the ‘trial and error’ so my couples could get seamless results without any of the stress. When we were hit with the pandemic, I had no choice but to practice on my children a LOT!
But let me tell you - the first few hybrid weddings? A bit of a ‘sweaty & under my breath sweary’ mess. I never told couples I was filming, just in case it was a disaster. My biggest challenge? REMEMBERING to film. I’d come away from those early wedding days with no B-roll and nothing to fill the gaps. The learning curve was real.
Mastering the Balance
The biggest struggle with hybrid shooting was making peace with compromise. I had to learn to slow down and accept that I might not get the same moment in both photo and video, and that was okay, and accept that my handheld footage could not be like gimbal-held films! Fast forward to now, and I have a refined system for shooting hybrid. It’s all about preparation and having the right support in place (which can either look like having a second shooter for the day to take photos, be a human tripod (!) or even outsource my editing when things are hectic in peak season). The biggest game-changer? Understanding that help isn’t a weakness. Whether it’s hiring a second shooter or outsourcing editing, investing in support allows me to deliver a better product - and keep my sanity & marriage intact.
My couples get highlight films that feel true to their day - fun, natural, and full of the energy they actually experienced, not some over-stylised version of it. I don’t just focus on the couple; I capture the whole vibe, the people, the laughter - the things they’ll want to relive over and over.
“Gina! I have lost count of how many times I’ve watched our videos!! And cried so many times! THANK YOU, thank you, thank you! ”
The Future of Wedding Storytelling
Photos alone are no longer enough. We live in a world where video is everywhere, from TikTok to Instagram Reels. Couples want more than just still images - they want movement, emotion, depth. Of course, a professional videographer will ALWAYS be my first recommendation to a couple, but for some, the thought of an extra person with a camera or the extra price tag can mean they don't have or want that option.
If you’re on the fence, know this: There is no one-size-fits-all way to do hybrid shooting. You don’t have to follow the crowd. If full wedding films aren’t your thing, think about how you can use video differently - maybe for marketing your business or creating behind-the-scenes content. Maybe you want to add it to your family sessions or your commercial work instead.
Hybrid is what you make it.
Why Wedding Photographers Can Learn From Me
I know what it’s like to start from scratch with video, figuring it all out alone. That’s why I now offer 1:1 mentoring (and soon an online course) to help photographers confidently add video without the 'overwhelm'. If you’re thinking about going hybrid but don’t know where to start, let’s chat. I can show you the way without the guesswork.
