One of the most common calls we get is to help with making a montage.  Video montages are most commonly used at Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, but are also regularly used at other events like a milestone anniversary.

Some people attempt to make the montage themselves using a generic slideshow maker that came bundled with their computer, others desire a more professional product.  Aside from the obvious reasons to have a montage “professionally” made, the most compelling reason to do so is simply that it gets done.  The reason I say this is that many of our clients admit to first trying their hand at doing the montage themselves but could not get it to look or play right.  I have seen a handful of home-made montages that looked great, but have also seen some disasters.

The first piece of advice I tell clients is to get a pretty good idea of what you want.  Specifically, how long you want it to be, how many and what type of audio, and the overall tone of your montage.  A montage is a form of production and are best received when they represent at least minimal planning and structure.  I prefer montages that are strictly organized chronologically and find that montages that are overly grouped (1st section just baby-13, 2nd section child+parents baby-13, ….) are difficult to watch.  

The second piece of advice I give, whether you are doing it yourself or to a professional, is to be organized.  Prepare all your media in appropriate folders separating pictures, videos and audio.

Finally, I advise to collect between 250 to 325 photos and a handful of cute videos for an average slideshow. 

A good montage is a lifetime asset.  My clients tell me that they watch their child’s montage for years afterward and enjoy sharing it online through social media.  We have a wide spectrum of packages for montages and are usually able to “save the day” in cases where the event is just a day or so away, and have even once pulled an all-nighter to get one done the day before the event!!