When Farah Dafri attended a relative’s wedding in 2022, she decided to record the radiant couple’s joyous moments on her phone for fun and to pass the time.
Like a paparazzo, she moved from one corner to another, discreetly capturing unforgettable moments – including spontaneous gestures and reactions such as the bride and groom shyly stealing a glance at each other or family members playfully teasing them – which may have escaped the lenses of the professional photographer and videographer.
Farah later edited her recordings into unique visual stories and uploaded them on Instagram for her friends to view.
Unexpectedly, her creativity captivated soon-to-be newlyweds who wanted their special day to be immortalised in the same way – short videos that are shot in a relaxed and natural manner, yet alluring and memorable enough to be cherished by their children and future generations.
She even received requests for her services. Recognising the economic potential in wedding content creation, Farah, 32, decided to pursue a full-time career in this field two years ago.
SET UP COMPANY
Now in the process of registering a company, Sisi Indah Photography, to better organise her career and expand her business, Farah is becoming increasingly well-known in the Klang Valley as a wedding content creator.
“Wedding content creators have long been popular abroad. Here, (social media) wedding content only became a trend recently. After deciding to pursue this field professionally, I took steps to enhance my work quality by investing in high-end gadgets and deepening my knowledge of filming and video editing techniques,” she told Bernama.
Farah, who previously worked as a creative manager for a famous fashion brand, said so far she has captured over 20 weddings in a vlog (video blog)-style format – presenting visual stories in a natural and authentic way.
She added the wedding videos she records are uploaded onto her clients’ social media accounts on the same day or the following day, unlike professional photographers and videographers who usually take a month or longer to deliver the final footage to the couple.
“As a wedding content creator, I need to ensure all recordings are edited and uploaded on social media within 48 hours. So, this is why we need to have strong editing skills,” she said.
Farah charges around RM600 for her services, which include a video covering the full event, as well as a series of short videos for social media sharing.
“The rates here (in Malaysia) are much lower compared to overseas since this trend is still new. From what I know, in Indonesia, the charges can go up to RM1,500,” she added.
CHALLENGES
According to Farah, one of the key traits of a wedding content creator is operating discreetly without drawing attention from guests or others.
“Official photographers will usually direct or control the movements of the bride, groom and family members, whereas I work invisibly, capturing spontaneous and natural moments.
“To ensure everything goes smoothly, I would introduce myself to the official photographer and explain my role. I also make sure that I don’t appear in their shots,” she said.
However, as Farah can attest, being a wedding content creator is not an easy job. Apart from having to be agile and possess strong technical skills, one must also make meticulous preparations as every wedding is different and demands a unique approach.
Farah’s biggest challenge is ensuring she does not miss any important moments.
“A wedding can last more than five hours and I need to be in the right place at the right time. This requires careful planning and good communication with the couple and their families,” she explained.
For her work, she uses a smartphone with a multifunctional holder and LED lighting for illumination. As such, she often faces technical challenges such as lighting issues or improper camera settings, requiring her to make on-the-spot adjustments.
Meanwhile, sharing one of her most memorable experiences, she recalled being called out by an officiant at a wedding solemnisation ceremony.
“The ‘Tok Kadi’ reprimanded me but that was because he did not realise I was the wedding content creator recording the ‘akad nikah’. That incident reminded me of the importance of maintaining professionalism at every event,” she said with a smile.
COMPETITION
Recognising that wedding content creation is growing in popularity, Farah is taking the necessary steps to face intense competition by improving her creativity.
“Many new wedding content creators are emerging with different styles and approaches. So, I always need to innovate and refine my filming techniques, and ensure my work has its own unique touch,” she said.
And, as her business grows, Farah is also taking proactive steps to protect both herself and her clients legally.
“I am in the process of preparing a consent form to ensure that both my clients and I are legally protected. This is because this field requires me to use my clients’ personal social media accounts to upload video recordings.
“With this (consent) document, I can set clear terms for my clients, especially regarding the use of videos and their social media platforms, copyright matters, and service limitations,” she explained.
This step not only protects her as a service provider but also ensures her clients’ privacy.
Farah added that the success of a wedding content creator does not rely solely on technology but also on the ability to capture emotions and bring a couple’s love story to life.
“Every couple has a unique journey, and I feel honoured to be part of it,” she said, adding she believes the vlog-style approach is the best way for couples to preserve the memorable moments of their most special day.
