Videographers focus on smaller productions like documentaries, live events, short films, legal depositions, weddings, birthday parties, sports events, commercials, and training videos.

For smaller productions, a videographer often works alone with a single-camera setup or with a small team of light technicians and sound technicians.

How much should you pay for your videographer? It really depends on what you’re looking for – but expect to pay between $700/day on the low end to $2500/day on the higher end + rental costs for the gear you’re wanting.

What does rental cost?

LensProToGo and BorrowLenses are great online rental places to get an idea for the gear rental costs may be. Expect $200-500/day for gear depending on whether you only need the basic DSLR or a Red – plus lenses, tripod or gimbal – lights (or 3, 4, 5?) – laptop to transfer footage – etc… All those pieces of gear add up to your “kit fee”. Don’t worry – most videographers include a basic kit that’s actually much less than renting all of the pieces in the kit individually – and you don’t have to actually rent it – they bring it all and manage it all.

A Videographer may be an “all in one” person who focuses on smaller gear packages.

Often our smallest crews consist of a DP and an assistant. This two person crew is one camera, and one assistant. The assistant helps with all the gear so the DP can do their work much to capture more footage and better footage for your project.

 A DP is responsible for capturing their style, look, or feeling into the video project. They are often hired because of their unique approach to visual storytelling and filming – and the company hiring them want to ensure the quality of their video lives up to a higher standard of work than merely hiring a freelance videographer. This is not a knock against a freelance videographer – they just have different skillset and different muscle they are given when they have assistance on the video shoot to focus rather than having to be more of a videographer.

DP’s are the are experts in their field of cameras.

A DP focuses on achieving a specific look – and the specific lighting and movement it takes to achieve said look. They typically spend years (or decades) training to develop their style and they often work with camera operators, 1st AC, 2nd AC, grip and gaffers to light the scenes the way they need to achieve those looks.

On larger projects a DP may have a seperate person working as a camera operator so they can focus on the actual image and final look of the image rather than running the camera itself. 

Smaller projects a DP may camera operate and direct at the same time.

Having dedicated crew is helpful, but that just depends on your budget if allowable.

DP’s will also operate a camera if budget is tight – so you can have a DP / Director / Shooter – but they will almost certainly require at a minimum of a dedicated assistant or 1st AC to help with the technical side of their technical duties with high end cinema cameras and larger grip packages. 

One of the big differences between a medium to large camera crew vs a single videographer or DP/assistant is the team aspect of production. 

Each person on the team plays a role, they get to focus on their area of specialty, and they can become world class experts in that area. 

One of those roles you get with a full crew is a director. 

Depending on a director’s goals, a good film director has a function that helps push that goal into reality. For example, a director might work exclusively with actors whereas a producer helps coordinate the entire project.

On smaller projects, a director may be directing everything going on that day.

A good director will prep the client (on corporate video projects) and prep the talent. They’ll review the plans, the goals for the shoot, the script or potentially questions (if doing a testimonial, interview, or talking head).

They will run through the plan for the shoot – the flow of things – including alternative plans if things don’t go as planned.

This verbal runthrough is like a dressrehearsal or test to ensure everyone feels comfortable on-set.

Even small corporate talking-head type projects or customer testimonials will still appreciate a director who walks the talent through a little rehearsal to remind them of how things will go.

In the beginning – a director can be brought in to help plan a project and can suggest a good DP (director of photography) or crew they’ve worked with.

A good director will see your project all the way through to the end – and even when sideballs come flying – they’ll calmly make sure the talent, client, and everyone involved get what they need.

Medium to Large Camera Crews: Crafting Exceptional Visual Stories

At Freelance Videographers, we understand that not all video projects are created equal. For those seeking a professional touch for their more substantial endeavors, such as TV commercials, documentary camera crews, corporate video production, live streaming, live event video production, and feature films, we offer a specialized service tailored to meet these seasoned needs.

Experienced and Professional Video Specialists: Your Vision, Elevated

With a keen focus on delivering superior production quality, our medium to large camera crews consist of dedicated and experienced professionals who have honed their craft in the realm of video production. Each crew comprises a range of specialized experts, from directors and camera operators to sound engineers and lighting technicians. This division of roles ensures that every aspect of your project is executed to perfection, resulting in a seamless and visually captivating final product.

Elevated Production Experience: Tailored to Your Project

Our medium to large crews typically consist of 2 to 20 skilled individuals who bring a wealth of expertise to their respective roles. This level of specialization allows for a meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that your project’s unique requirements are met with precision and creativity. Whether you’re aiming to create a compelling TV commercial, capture the essence of a live event, or produce a feature film that resonates with audiences, our diverse team of professionals is here to bring your vision to life.

At Freelance Videographers, we believe in the power of collaboration and the magic that happens when skilled professionals come together. Our medium to large camera crews stand ready to elevate your project, providing the highest production quality and an unparalleled dedication to excellence. Let us be the cornerstone of your visual storytelling journey.