When planning an event, capturing the moments and essence through professional videography is a worthwhile investment. However, many people are unaware of or confused by the costs of hiring a professional videographer or may not understand why it’s worth it. So, in order to help you make an informed decision and budget accordingly, in this article, we will explore the factors that influence the cost of hiring a professional videographer for your event and provide examples to help you gauge the potential expenses.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Hiring a Professional Videographer
There are many factors to take into consideration that affect the cost of professional videography services. Here are four major factors with some examples to help illustrate.
1. Event Duration and Complexity
The duration and complexity of your event play a significant role in determining the cost. Events that span multiple days, multiple locations or require extensive coverage (such as conferences or festivals) typically involve more time to set up the appropriate gear and then pack it up, filming hours, equipment, and editing time. With many videography jobs, there is a lot more gear involved than what many clients realize. As a result, this is reflected in higher costs compared to shorter events like corporate meetings or small gatherings.
For example, a two-day conference with various sessions, panel discussions, and networking events may require a larger team of videographers and editors, leading to higher overall costs.
2. Equipment and Technology
The quality and extent of equipment used by the videographer impacts the cost. High-definition cameras, professional lighting, filters, rigging, audio equipment, stabilizers, and drones are often employed to capture stunning footage. These things are NOT cheap and videographers are often footing the cost of the gear they need to get the shot in the hopes of making it back through client work.
When you consider that a single professional video camera body (without any lenses) can cost upwards of $5000, and specialized lenses can cost upwards of $1500, plus the cost of all the tripods and other accessories needed, you start to understand how these equipment costs add up very quickly! Advanced technology and specialized equipment contribute to a higher price point but also ensure superior video quality. Furthermore, gear often needs to be serviced, replaced or updated periodically. Typically, if your videographer is using state-of-the-art gear and technology, expect it to be reflected in their pricing. But, you get what you pay for!
For example, we regularly use anywhere between $14,000–$20,000 worth of gear (or more) on a video shoot, not including rentals. A videographer equipped with top-of-the-line cameras, multiple lenses, and audio recording devices will likely charge more than someone using basic consumer-level equipment.
3. Experience and Expertise
The experience and expertise of the videographer can also influence the cost. Professionals with a strong portfolio, extensive industry knowledge, and a proven track record often charge higher rates due to their reputation and skillset. Their expertise contributes to capturing the best moments, ensuring proper framing, and delivering a final product that aligns with your vision. Experienced videographers also can be more adept at anticipating challenges and problem-solving. They develop an instinct about events and what surprises can pop up.
Hiring an experienced professional over an amateur can make the difference between getting that important once-in-a-lifetime shot perfectly or missing it altogether! So, when you pay for an experienced videographer, you are also paying for their wealth of experience in a variety of situations over the years to know how to get the shot. Also, depending on the scale of their business, various videographers and video producers work with a team of professionals which allows them to do more sophisticated videography but also adds to the cost.
4. Editing and Post-Production
The time and effort invested in editing and post-production also impact the overall cost. Editing involves tasks such as colour correction, audio enhancement, adding music, and transitions, and creating a cohesive narrative. The more footage that is filmed, the longer the editing process will take as it takes more time for the editor to review all the footage, organize it and then edit it together in a compelling way that tells a story. If the project requires any special effects or motion graphics, this will also add to the time and cost. Additionally, any extra B-roll footage, whether filmed or purchased from Stock Video sites, can add to the cost of a project.
The best editors pay careful attention to detail and timing, and so can spend many hours meticulously adjusting things to perfection. However, the end product can often show the difference in quality from an OK editor to a really great editor. The complexity of the editing process, the number of revisions required, and the desired final output also influence the cost and some video editors will charge an extra fee for certain additional services or revisions. Be sure to talk about this clearly with the editor so that you set proper expectations for both parties. If you want the best results and are working with an excellent editor, be patient with him or her, since it takes a lot of work to produce a well-polished product.
For example, if you require extensive post-production work, such as creating short highlight reels, multiple output formats (4K for YouTube/Vimeo, vertical format for social media, etc), colour grading, adding special effects, or incorporating client feedback into the final video, the videographer will charge extra for the additional editing time. Each new edit and the complexity of the edit will add to the time and cost. Be sure to talk upfront about whether additional revisions will add to the project’s costs.
Some Videography Cost Examples
We know how puzzling it can be for someone with little experience in this industry to make sense of things and try to get a feel for how much they should expect to budget for their projects. While the cost of hiring a professional videographer varies substantially depending on various factors, here are some approximate cost ranges for different types of events based on industry averages. Hopefully, it will help give a general idea of how to set your expectations as you seek the right talent for the job.
(Obviously, these figures are approximate and do not necessarily reflect the rates of every videographer since that is influenced by the factors covered above and more)
All prices here are in Canadian Dollars (CAD$) and will vary from city to city based on the cost of living in that area.
Wedding Videography
Wedding videographers typically offer packages ranging from $1,500 to $8,000 or more, depending on the duration, coverage, additional services (such as aerial footage or same-day edits), and the videographer’s experience. If you want multiple video shooters and angles, that will also increase the cost, but give you more footage and a variety of shots to work with for the final edit. Some other considerations that impact cost are whether the couple wants behind-the-scenes footage of getting ready, ceremony and reception coverage, additional video elements such as slow-motion B-roll shots, a story video edit, drone shots, guest interviews and well-wishes, etc.
For example, a basic wedding videography package for six hours of coverage with a single videographer with full-length ceremony and reception videos might cost around $2,500–$3,500. Additional charges may apply for an edited shorter highlight reel and any additional video edits the couple may request. Be sure to talk through everything that you want with your videographer upfront so that they know what shots they need to capture.
Corporate Events
For corporate events, such as conferences, trade shows, or product launches, prices can range from $1,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the event’s size, duration, complexity, and deliverables.
For example, a full-day (8-hour) conference videography package that includes multiple sessions, interviews with speakers, and final edited videos of the full sessions might cost around $3,000–$6,000, with additional costs for further edits or shorter recap videos.
Social Events
Smaller social events, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or family gatherings, generally range from $500 to $3,000, depending on the event’s length, coverage, and editing requirements. Bigger social events, such as corporate parties, gala events, art exhibitions, fundraising events, etc, can range from $2000 to $4000, depending on the details. Usually, if the client simply requires an unedited video of the event the cost will be less than if you want a polished finished video with edits, text and graphics since editing takes up a lot of the time for delivering a project.
For example, a four-hour birthday party videography package with edited highlights and key moments might cost around $1,000—1,200, whereas a longer event requiring a more complex edit will cost more. However, most more experienced videographers may not take on smaller jobs like this. For bigger or corporate social events, you can often get videography packages that include multiple shooters, smooth-moving gimbal shots of the action, and even the option for live streaming. However, all of these “extras” will add to the overall cost.
Interviews
Video interviews such as “talking head” videos for a promo for an organization or info video for a course are dependent on the length. For a half-day shooting (up to 4 hrs), a videographer may charge between $400–800, and for a full-day shooting (up to 8 hrs), a videographer may charge between $1000–1600, depending on their level of experience and quality of gear. This does not include the editing costs. However, many videographers will offer a package deal that includes filming and editing altogether for a discounted rate.
Additional Costs
Also, note that there may be additional charges for travel expenses if the videographer has to travel to the location and rent a hotel room. Many videographers and producers will include a line item in the invoice for “Gear Costs/Expenses” which covers the cost of their lighting equipment, stands, batteries, grips, and for gear rentals if the videographer needs additional gear that they don’t own to get the job done. Drone shots may also be an extra charge, depending on the videographer and whether or not a permit needs to be acquired to fly the drone in the area.
The example prices here are meant for illustration purposes only. Multiple factors go into the pricing of each video professional, so this article is not to be taken as a standard across the board.
Talk it out
It is very important to be thorough and upfront in your conversations with a potential videographer.
Don’t hold back information or assume things—it’s best to overcommunicate than to leave room for ambiguity. Let the videographer know your project needs, duration, delivery times, locations, expected deliverables and formats, budget and any other pertinent details. Setting your expectations clearly upfront avoids a lot of unnecessary headaches and will make the whole process run more smoothly for both you and the videographer. An experienced videographer will be able to ask you questions to get the needed clarity before the project even starts and to give you an accurate estimate for the project.
Sometimes it may be helpful to let the videographer know your budget range upfront so that they can explain what types of packages they can offer you based on your budget.
Once you’ve talked through the project together, give the videographer some time to figure out a pricing estimate (as there are many things to consider). The videographer may give you a few quote options or different packages. Also, it is very important to have a written contract that outlines all of these details so that you can refer back to it later if needed. Professional videographers will have client contract templates that they can modify based on a project’s details and needs. Make sure that you read the contract thoroughly and have clarity on what you are and are not agreeing to.
Hiring a professional videographer for your event is an investment that ensures your special moments are captured with high-quality footage and expert storytelling. The cost of hiring a videographer varies depending on factors such as event duration, complexity, equipment, experience, and editing requirements. Understanding these factors and their associated costs will help you plan your budget effectively and find the right videographer to bring your event to life through captivating visuals.
We also have a quick guide on how to go about finding the right videographer for your needs.
If you’re looking for high-quality videography and video editing services at a fair price, we’d love to serve you. Use the contact form below to send us a message about your project today!
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