The Benefits of Hiring a Local Freelance Videographer
Are you looking for a videographer who can create high-quality video content for your business or personal project? Before you turn to a large production company, consider hiring a local freelance videographer instead. In this blog post, we’ll explore the advantages of working with a local freelancer and why they may be the perfect fit for your next project.
Why choose a local freelancer over a big production company?
There are many reasons why a local freelance videographer may be a better choice for your project than a large production company. Here are just a few:
- Cost-effective: Freelancers typically have lower overhead costs than larger companies, which translates to lower costs for you. You’ll save money on expenses like travel and lodging, as well as on the overall cost of the project itself.
- Personalized attention and communication: When you work with a freelance videographer, you’ll have one-on-one access to their expertise and attention. They’ll be able to communicate with you directly and provide customized solutions to fit your specific needs.
- Flexible schedule and availability: Freelancers often have more flexible schedules than larger companies, which means they can accommodate your project on short notice and work with you to meet your deadlines.
- Local knowledge and resources: A local freelancer will have a deep understanding of the local market and will be able to provide valuable insights and resources for your project.
The advantages of working with a freelance videographer
In addition to the benefits outlined above, there are many advantages to working with a freelance videographer specifically. Here are a few:
- One-on-one collaboration and creative input: When you work with a freelancer, you’ll have direct access to their creative input and collaboration. You’ll be able to work together to create a video that truly reflects your vision and goals.
- Faster turnaround time: Freelancers typically have faster turnaround times than larger companies, which means you’ll be able to get your video completed and delivered on a shorter timeline.
- Customized shooting and editing styles: Freelancers are often able to provide more customized shooting and editing styles than larger companies, which means you’ll be able to create a video that truly fits your brand and message.
- Ability to work on-location and remotely: Freelancers can work on-location or remotely, which means you’ll have more flexibility and options when it comes to where and how your video is shot and edited.
How to find the right local freelancer for your project
Now that you know why a local freelancer may be the right choice for your project, how do you go about finding the right one? Here are a few tips:
- Research and review their portfolio and past work: Take the time to research potential freelancers and review their past work. This will give you a sense of their style and capabilities and help you determine if they’re a good fit for your project.
- Communicate your goals and expectations clearly: Be sure to communicate your goals and expectations clearly to your freelancer. This will help ensure that you’re both on the same page and can work together effectively.
- Ask about their equipment and technical skills: Be sure to ask potential freelancers about their equipment and technical skills. You’ll want to make sure they have the right tools and expertise to create the high-quality video content you need.
- Schedule a meeting or call to discuss your project in-depth: Finally, schedule a meeting or call with potential freelancers to discuss your project in-depth. This will give you a chance to ask more detailed questions and get a sense of their personality and communication style.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hiring a local freelance videographer can offer many advantages over working with a larger production company. You’ll get personalized attention, local knowledge and resources, and cost savings, among other benefits. And by supporting local businesses, you’ll be making a positive impact on your community. So the next time you need video content, consider hiring a local freelancer instead.
Freelance Videographer
Owner / Operators with gear
Interviews, testimonials, remote camera crew
Small 1-4 person crews
Fast paced, multi-talented, jack-of-all trades to get fast projects done with minimal expenses
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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.
Freelance Director of Photography (DP)
Experienced and Professional
TV Commercials, Corporate Video Production, Web Streaming Series, Feature Films
Medium to large crews: 2-9 people
High stakes projects, they have their own style of work, ample previous sample work, and they ensure a consistent "look" in the end video.
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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 skillsets.
They are experts in their field.
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. That’s why they are often used more-so on larger productions. Smaller video production projects with smaller crews often don’t have a budget for just a DP.
Some 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.
Freelance Director (or Producer)
Support when you need it
Talent or Client Interface, Shoot Organizer
Small to Large Projects Alike. Large projects may have multiple of these roles
These are the people that bring everything together and keep everything moving smoothly
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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.
In most cases, a good director will always 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.
How do you find a great videographer?
The best freelance videographer is the one who not only understands how to tell a story, but also how to tell a story visually.
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