Videography: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What videography is

A videographer films and edits video for events, businesses or personal projects, planning shots, audio and lighting, and delivers a finished video. People hire one when they want good footage that they cannot capture well on their own, with someone who manages the camera, the sound and the edit.

Signs you need it

  • You have an event, product or business moment you want on video, and no one on your team can film it well.
  • You need footage for a website, social media or a presentation, and your phone footage looks unsteady or dark.
  • You want a personal project captured, such as a family history or a celebration, with an edited final video.
  • You have a video idea but no plan for shots, lighting or sound.
  • Your current video has poor audio that makes it hard to watch.
  • You need a video that you can share widely and that represents your business well.

What the pro does

  • Talks through the purpose of the video, the audience, the length and the shots you need before the day.
  • Plans the shot list, the locations, the lighting and the audio setup for each part of the shoot.
  • Films the footage with cameras, microphones and lights set to suit the space.
  • Edits the footage into a finished video, trimming, arranging, adding titles and music you have approved.
  • Corrects the colour and sound, then delivers the video in the formats you need for your use.

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of the finished video and how much footage is needed.
  • Number of shooting hours and the number of locations.
  • Crew size, such as one person or a team with separate camera and sound work.
  • Equipment needed, such as extra cameras, lights, microphones or drones.
  • Editing time, including number of rounds, titles, graphics and music.
  • Travel time and the deadline for delivery.

What a written quote should spell out

  • The shooting hours, the locations and the crew covered.
  • The finished video length and the number of edit rounds.
  • The file formats and resolutions delivered.
  • Who owns the footage and the final video, and whether you may use it freely.
  • Music or stock footage costs and who arranges their rights, stated in writing.

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What is the purpose of the video, and where will it be shown?
  • Can you show a sample video in a style like mine, with the shooting setup noted?
  • Who owns the footage and the finished video?
  • How many edit rounds are included, and how do I give feedback?
  • Will you bring your own lights and microphones, and how do you handle audio?
  • What do you need from me before the shoot, such as a shot list or a location agreement?

Red flags

  • Promises the video will go viral or bring a set number of customers.
  • Will not show samples or explain its shooting and editing process.
  • Asks for full payment before the shoot and edit terms are written down.
  • Plans no audio setup and expects phone microphones to be enough for speech.
  • Keeps the footage or the final video without saying so in the agreement.

What you can do yourself

You can film short clips on a steady surface with good light facing the subject and a microphone placed close to the speaker, then edit them with a free or built-in editing tool. Hire a videographer when the video is important, when the event cannot be repeated, when the shoot needs several locations or lights, or when the audio needs to be clear for the viewer to follow.

Licenses and permits

Videography is not commonly licensed, so a license is usually not required for this work. Check with your state or local licensing agency about business rules that apply to you, and ask the videographer for a sample reel and a note on the equipment they use as proof of skill.

Videography questions

Do I need a lot of lights?

Usually less than you think. Good natural light facing the subject and one soft light can look better than many lights. Ask the videographer what they plan for your space.

How do I get the best audio?

Use a microphone placed close to each speaker, and keep background noise down. Ask the videographer to test the sound before the shoot, since audio is often the hardest part to fix later.

Who owns the video?

Ownership and the right to use the footage should be stated in the agreement before the shoot. Confirm whether you own the final video, and whether the videographer may use clips in their portfolio.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

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  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

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  3. 3. They reach out

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