Return to flip book view

Message The PixelPlaybookFILM NEGATIVEFILM NEGATIVEFILM NEGATIVE1 0 1 1

Table of Contents

IntroductionWelcome & Purpose of the GuideWhy Guest-Filmed Wedding Videos Are SpecialUnderstanding Your Role as a “Pixel”151424Capturing Key MomentsPre-Ceremony: Getting Ready Shots & Venue DetailsThe Ceremony: Walking Down the Aisle, Vows, and First KissReception Highlights: First Dance, Toasts, and Guest InteractionsCandid Moments: Capturing Emotion & Guest ReactionsMovement & Shot VarietyWhen to Use Wide Shots vs. Close-UpsPanning & Tracking: Making the Video Feel DynamicCreative Angles to Add Visual InterestSubmitting Your Footage for EditingHow to Organize & Label Your ClipsBest Practices for Uploading to The Pixel PortalWhat to Expect After SubmissionEssential Equipment & SettingsChoosing the Best Device: Smartphone vs. DSLRCamera Settings: Resolution, Frame Rate, FocusStabilization: Tripods, Gimbals, and Handheld TechniquesAudio Considerations: Recording VowsComposition & Framing BasicsThe Rule of Thirds: A Guide for Great Framing (But Not a Requirement!)Avoid Distracting Backgrounds & Unwanted ObjectsLighting & Exposure TipsUsing Natural Light for the Best ResultsIndoor vs. Outdoor Filming ConsiderationsLow-Light Wedding Filming: What Works & What Doesn’t

IntroductionYou’ve been chosen to play a special role in a couple’s wedding day—capturing real moments, real emotions, and the magic as it unfolds. This guide will help you film beautiful, cinematic footage using just your phone or camera—no professional experience required.Inside, you’ll find simple tips on framing, lighting, and must-have shots that make a big difference in the final edit. Whether you’re a creative at heart or just someone with a steady hand, your role matters.The best wedding films start with intentional footage—and we’re here to help you capture it with confidence.Let’s create something unforgettable together!

Why Guest-Filmed Wedding Videos Are SpecialThere’s a unique magic in seeing a wedding through the eyes of the people who know the couple best. Guest-filmed footage captures the day in its most authentic form—tearful smiles, spontaneous hugs, quiet glances, and inside jokes that only loved ones notice. It also creates a sense of ease that couples may not always feel with a professional camera crew, allowing them to fully be themselves.Unlike traditional videography, which can sometimes feel staged or intrusive, this approach should feel more natural, personal, and intimate. With thoughtful filming and expert editing, guest-filmed videos don’t just document a wedding—they reflect the heart of it.Authentic& Sentimental

Understanding Your Role as a PixelAs a Pixel, you’re more than a guest—you’re a trusted storyteller. The couple chose you to help capture their day with heart, intention, and a personal touch no professional could replicate.You don’t need to film everything—just the meaningful moments, natural interactions, and heartfelt details that bring their story to life. With a few simple techniques and your phone or camera, you’ll help create footage that’s both beautiful and easy to edit.Stay present, have fun, and film with care. Your unique perspective will help turn this day into a memory they can relive forever.Focus on key moments and natural interactions that will bring the wedding video to life.

Essential Equipment & SettingsChoosing the Best Device: Smartphone vs. DSLRBoth smartphones and DSLRs can capture beautiful footage—what matters most is how well you use them. The best camera is the one you know best. Whether it’s your phone or a DSLR, great results come from solid technique, not fancy gear. Be sure to practice using a camear you are unfamiliar with before the big day.

The couple chose you because theytrust you, so enjoy the process, havefun, and know that your perspectivewill help tell the story of their weddingday in the most meaningful waypossible. DSLR CamerasDSLRs offer more control over focus, zoom, and low light—great for all aspects of the wedding. If you’re comfortable with settings like ISO and shutter speed, you can really elevate the look. Just remember: stability matters. Use a tripod if you have one, or simply brace yourself and move slow. Be intentional for smooth, steady shots.SmartphonesSmartphones are lightweight, easy to use, and perfect for capturing candid moments on the fly. Most shoot in 4K with built-in stabilization and cinematic modes—making them powerful tools with minimal setup. Just remember to film in landscape, keep your shots steady, and manually adjust focus and exposure when needed.Each Pixel should shoot in either 1080p or 4k resoultion. Prioritize 60fps if possible. 24 fps is also ne if shooting in dark spaces with little natural light.

Camera Settingsyour shutter speed should be about double your frame rate. So if you’re filming in 60 fps, set your shutter speed to around 1/120. If you switch to 24 fps, change it to around 1/50.