Photography has become a central activity of our lives. We are always behind a phone or camera capturing the moments that are in front of us. But I would argue that picture taking is soon to be a thing of the past. The world is moving in a different direction — video creation.
Videography is superior to photography for a handful of reasons, reasons that produce both sentimental and capital gain.
With the help of your own memory or imagination, photography can immerse you in a past moment, but videography can fully immerse you back in time without those aids. We already see society favoring videography. For example, wedding videographers are now in high demand alongside photographers. While hiring a wedding photographer has been commonplace for years, it has its downsides: photos are still, sometimes awkward to pose and capture, less candid, and simply cannot catch everything. Not hiring a wedding videographer is one of the biggest regrets that brides have these days.
“Ten years ago having a video of your wedding was nearly unheard of,” Hillsdale senior and wedding coordinator Kathryn Swope said. “The opportunity to relive your big day is so precious and something many women wish they had.”
Swope said she encourages brides who are on the fence about hiring a videographer to go for it, if there is any way their budget can manage it.
“It is heartbreaking when I hear brides regret not hiring one, because it is a day you can never re-do,” Swope added.
Videography is the best method to reflect on memories and special moments. Videos tell the whole story. A photograph is merely a glimpse of what could have been captured seamlessly on video. Videography does not just capture a single moment, but rather a series of moments that create a full story.
A photograph is less useful than a video. Major corporations are catching on to the changing climate and hiring videography teams to capture everything from product releases, conventions, and launch parties. They are not just doing this for the memories, they are doing this to significantly benefit their business. The success is monumental.
According to a DataBox analysis of social media video versus photo performance conducted in March 2021, videos outmatched photos in all categories. Malin Wijenayake, a paid ads specialist, said fan engagement for a video is significantly higher than that of a photo.
“In one particular case for one of my fitness-related clients, an image ad for a product received 777 link clicks, whereas a video for the same product received 1,432 link clicks — almost double,” Wijenayake reported. By replacing a photo with a video, you can double your audience interaction.
This is not a rare occurrence either. According to 2020 AdQuadrants research on Facebook advertising, a video is 20-30% more likely to get clicked on than a still image. This is significant for anyone trying to market themselves, their brand, or their organization. So if you currently own a business, or plan on starting one after college, I encourage you to invest in the marketing benefits of videography. The market for videographers is booming, and I am jumping right in.
Having recognized the benefits of video production, I made the switch to videography myself in both my personal and professional life, and I challenge you to stop taking pictures and start recording. I have begun filming and editing videos for trips, events, and organizations. It was a game-changer when I stopped focusing on capturing still images and started recording the world I was experiencing.
Now when I go back and watch my videos, I am reimmersed into the event, making my memories all the richer. Not only have I seen the benefits of personal reflection, but I have also seen first-hand how it has improved my marketing capabilities within my jobs and leadership roles. A videographer can have a huge impact on a team.
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, so in that case, a video must be worth a million.
Gabrielle Bessette is a sophomore George Washington Fellow studying political economy.
