Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Filming Event Videos

Capturing an event on video can be both exciting and challenging. Whether you’re recording a corporate conference, a wedding, or a music festival, your event video serves as a lasting memory and a tool to tell a story. However, it’s more than just pointing a camera at the action. Excelling in event videography requires skill, preparation, and attention to detail. Unfortunately, even seasoned videographers can make mistakes that diminish the quality of their footage.

This blog will highlight the top 5 mistakes to avoid when filming event videos and offer tips on how you can sidestep these pitfalls to produce engaging, professional-grade results.

Mistake 1: Neglecting Proper Pre-Event Planning

One of the most significant missteps any videographer can make is failing to prepare adequately before the event. Many mistakenly assume that showing up with the equipment and understanding the event’s schedule is enough.

Why It’s a Problem

Without proper planning, you risk missing critical moments, struggling with inadequate lighting, or the event unfolding in ways you didn’t anticipate. A lack of preparedness can lead to inconsistent footage and logistical challenges during filming.

How to Avoid It

• Scout the Location: Visit the venue beforehand, inspect the layout, and identify potential filming spots. Notice details like lighting, seating arrangements, and sound quality.
• Create a Shot List: Work with the event organizer to identify the key moments they want captured, such as speeches, performances, or crowd reactions.
• Prepare a Schedule: Know the timeline of the event, including any major schedule changes, to be in the right place at the right time.
• Test Equipment: Ensure all your gear — lenses, batteries, and audio recording devices — is fully functional.

By investing time in planning, you set yourself up for a smoother shooting experience.

Mistake 2: Using Poor Audio Techniques

When it comes to event videos, great visuals mean very little without clear audio. Many videographers focus primarily on capturing the perfect shot, only to realize later that their audio quality is subpar.

Why It’s a Problem

Poor audio compromises the overall production value of your video. Background noise, muffled dialogue, or inconsistent volume levels can distract viewers and ruin their engagement.

How to Avoid It

• Use External Microphones: Built-in camera mics are rarely sufficient in noisy settings. Invest in external microphones like lapel mics, boom mics, or shotgun mics for professional-quality sound recording.
• Monitor Audio Live: Use headphones to monitor in real-time and adjust settings as needed to minimize background noise and distortion.
• Capture Ambient Sound: Record environmental audio snippets separately to layer in post-production. This can help tie together cut footage and provide a more immersive experience.

Prioritizing audio ensures your event video delivers both visually and sonically.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Proper Lighting Techniques

Event environments are often unpredictable when it comes to lighting. From dimly-lit ballrooms to overly bright outdoor stages, failing to control or adapt to lighting conditions can compromise video quality.

Why It’s a Problem

Improper lighting can result in overexposed or underexposed footage. Key details may be lost in shadows or blown out entirely, making the video look unprofessional.

How to Avoid It

• Bring Portable Lighting: Carry portable LED lights or softbox setups to combat dim environments and create balanced lighting.
• Monitor Natural and Artificial Light: Keep an eye on natural lighting changes, particularly for outdoor events, and adjust settings accordingly. For indoor events, anticipate harsh or inconsistent overhead lighting and position yourself strategically.
• Adjust Camera Settings: Understand and control aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to adapt to varying light conditions in real time.

By mastering lighting techniques, you’ll ensure your subjects are well-lit and your video consistently polished.

Mistake 4: Overlooking Camera Stabilization

Shaky footage is one of the quickest ways to make your project look unprofessional. Whether you’re filming on the move or standing still, a lack of stability can distract viewers and reduce the impact of your video.

Why It’s a Problem

Unstable footage not only looks unpolished but can also be difficult (and sometimes impossible) to correct in post-production. It draws focus away from the actual content and can even frustrate your audience.

How to Avoid It

• Use Stabilization Tools: Invest in reliable stabilizers like gimbals, tripods, or monopods. These are essential for capturing smooth, steady shots across any scenario.
• Practice Your Handheld Technique: If you must shoot handheld, learn techniques to minimize shakes, like maintaining proper posture, holding the camera close to your body, and using your body’s movements to stabilize shots.
• Plan Dynamic Shots: If you anticipate moving around during filming, test camera movements in advance to ensure fluid and professional results.

By ensuring smooth footage throughout, you maintain a higher level of production quality.

Mistake 5: Not Capturing Enough B-Roll

Focusing solely on key moments at the expense of supplementary visuals is a common error. While primary footage is crucial, B-roll is the glue that ties scenes together and makes event videos dynamic.

Why It’s a Problem

Without sufficient B-roll, the video may feel choppy or incomplete. Viewers won’t have the context or atmosphere necessary to fully engage with the story.

How to Avoid It

• Document Details: Film close-ups of decor, signage, food, or any small features that help set the scene.
• Capture Crowd Shots: Record attendees networking, laughing, or simply reacting to the event. It adds depth and energy to your final cut.
• Be Spontaneous: Keep your camera rolling during downtime or between sessions to catch unscripted moments.

By gathering an abundance of B-roll, you’ll have a rich pool of footage to enhance your storytelling during the editing process.

Elevate Your Event Videos with Better Practices

Event videography demands skill, creativity, and deliberate planning to capture the essence of the moment effectively. By avoiding these five common mistakes—neglecting planning, poor audio and lighting, shaky footage, and insufficient B-roll—you’ll elevate the quality of your work and ensure memorable results for your clients.

Whether you’re a seasoned videographer or just starting, always prioritize preparation and adaptability for every project. And most importantly, ensure each event video tells a story that resonates beyond the day of the event. With the right techniques in your toolkit, you’ll consistently deliver videos that don’t just meet expectations—they exceed them.