How to Become a Freelance Videographer

What does a videographer do?

There are many different areas that a videographer can work in; from recording larger-scale video productions and live events to smaller and more personal productions such as weddings and birthday parties.

Other examples of the type of jobs videographers can be involved in include:

• Short films
• Documentaries
• Advertisements
• Training videos
• Sports events

Videographer skills

The role of a videographer usually means having to work alongside others and so it isn’t just about having the best technical skills, you need to be able to communicate well too.

Here are some typical skills you need to become a successful videographer:

• Good people skills – as mentioned previously, communication really is key when it comes to producing videography. This is especially important if you find yourself working with a large group of people, for example at a big event such as a wedding.
• Being creative – obviously, the level of creativity and the extent of your own input depends on the type of work you’re doing. Visual boards are a great place to start so you can get an idea of how you will turn ideas into a reality.
• Video editing skills – the job of a videographer doesn’t end as soon as the recording finishes; you’ll be expected to create a polished end product with professional editing, soundtracks and maybe even special effects.
• Having decent fitness levels – it’s probably not the first thing you might think of, but a videographer will experience long days, will need to carry heavy equipment and might need to move around a lot to capture the best footage possible, so being fit is fairly important.

What qualifications do I need to become a freelance videographer?

There are a couple of different routes into videography, either via formal studies or becoming self-taught.

It isn’t necessary to gain a degree in videography, but it might be helpful to you, either from a personal point of view or for the type of work you want to get into.

If there is a specific area you want to work in, looking at relevant job adverts can be helpful in giving you an idea of what they’re looking for, in particular, what common qualifications are listed.

No matter which route you decide to take, it’s vital that you gain as much experience as you can (this might be in the form of an apprenticeship at the start of your career) and build your portfolio to show your skills to potential clients.

Benefits of becoming a freelance videographer

For many videographers, the self-employed route is a natural progression for their careers and there are many reasons why.

A contractor is able to command higher rates of pay compared to an employed worker within the same role because they’ve usually dedicated themselves to a particular skill, which means that it is likely that they are both highly skilled and experienced in their field.

As a freelance videographer, you’ll need to pay out for various other costs that are essential for you to work – the good news about this is that you’ll be able to claim back on these expenses and therefore reduce your tax bill at the end of each year.

Typical expenses include:

• Travel costs
• Office costs
• Training courses
• Accountancy fees

For more help and advice on this, read our Limited Company Expenses Guide and Subsistence Expenses pages.

If you need any further help, or you’d like to sign up you can either contact us via our online chat, call one of our friendly experts on 01442 795 100 or email sophie.lewis@dolanaccountancy.com.