You know those times when you head to YouTube and search for some random videos to satisfy your appetite to be entertained? When I’m in this mode I’ll often search for videos that talented filmmakers have made on their phones. These videos draw people for a few different reasons. I think my perspective on these videos is often different from most people’s (and definitely different from that of the phone’s advertisers). Most people view these videos and are impressed by what a smartphone’s camera can do. It’s fair to think this way as smartphone cameras have come a long way, but I don’t think the technological advancements are the most impressive part.  I am impressed by what that person can do with just a smartphone. The difference may seem subtle, but it is not! 

No matter how good they have become, a smartphone’s camera is rarely, if ever, the best tool for the job. There are many reasons why this is the case, but I’ll sum it up by saying that the smartphone is meant to be good at a lot of things. That functionality has prevented it from being great in some of those areas. 

Take any one of those photos or videos that was “shot on iPhone” and give that person a professional camera and they will most likely produce a higher quality product (given they know how to use the professional gear).

This post is not to bash smartphones at all; I use the camera on my phone all the time. Rather, this post is trying to get us to focus on something completely different - the ability of the filmmaker (or photographer). 

Have you ever had a vision for a really awesome picture or video and then tried to produce it only to come away with something far from what you had imagined? It happens all the time. But with tons of creativity and practice it becomes much easier to produce the image in your head. Professional photographers and videographers have invested countless hours in developing their creativity. They have failed and succeeded. All of this practice has hopefully given them the experience needed for the task.

Sometimes I actually enjoy limiting the gear that I use (even down to just my phone). This practice is meant to stretch me as a storyteller. I ask myself, “how can I best use what I have at hand to tell the story”. 

What is the best tool for the job? Is there a perfect camera? I don’t think anyone has discovered this, or there are too many who have and they all have come up with different answers. 

Instead of relying on a device to tell your story, lean on the people using the devices. They are the ones with the vision, creativity, and experience. They will turn your wedding day into a story to remember. 

You won’t see Andrea and me filming a wedding with our phones, but one of the most important things we have learned is that when we accept the responsibility to create a good film from our knowledge, creativity, and hard work, we come out with a much better film than when we lean on the gear to make a good film for us. 

To sum all of this up: If I was given the choice between a talented filmmaker with an iPhone 4 and a novice with the best gear around I would choose the talented filmmaker every single time. 

When searching for a videographer or photographer focus on the quality of what they are producing. Do you connect with the stories they are telling? Let that be the judge rather than if they are using the fanciest gear or not.