Budgeting for Success: How Much Does Videographer Cost?

Jamie Perez • May 31, 2024

Video is an exemplary way to stand out in a crowded market. Hiring a professional videographer can elevate and amplify the quality of the product you’re putting out there, but how much should you put aside for a professional service like this? Do videographers cost per hour? What’s the average day rate of a videographer?

Let’s explore some key factors that can help you determine what your video project might cost:

1. Define Your Project Scope:

The first step in budgeting for a videographer is to define the scope of your project. Are you looking for a single video for a specific campaign, a series of videos, or ongoing video content production? The complexity and volume of work required will significantly impact the cost.

2. Experience and Expertise:

Experienced videographers with a strong portfolio often have higher rates. Their expertise and skills can be worth the investment, especially for projects that require a high level of creativity and storytelling. On the other hand, less experienced videographers or newcomers to the industry may offer more budget-friendly options. But with that said, you will get what you pay for. (Rates can range from $25/hour for newbies to $350 an hour on average for more experienced videographers)

3. Equipment and Resources:

 

The type of equipment used by the videographer can influence pricing. High-end cameras, drones, stabilizers, and lighting setups can enhance the quality of your video but may come with additional costs. Every videographer will price this differently but I've seen it range from $1,000 - $3,000 per day for use of higher end equipment.

 

4. Location and Travel:

 

If your project requires shooting in multiple locations or involves travel, factor in travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation and meals. These costs can vary depending on the distance and duration of the shoot. Many videographers will set their own day rate or half day rate. Some charge by the hour. Some are a combination of the two. Day rates for smaller video companies can range from $800-$3,500 per day. Once you start getting into larger video production companies, those numbers get even higher.

 

5. Length and Complexity of the Video:

 

Longer videos or those with intricate editing and post-production requirements generally require more time and effort. This can affect the overall cost of your project. Communicate all your video's specific needs with potential videographers to get accurate quotes. Some videographers will charge you an hourly editing rate, some charge a flat rate per minute of finished edited video.

 

6. Editing and Post-Production:

Don't forget to budget for editing and post-production work, which is often a significant part of the video production process. Editing, sound design, color grading, and graphic animations can add to the overall cost. If you only need the raw footage, the cost will be lower than if you needed it all edited together. That said, if you already have all the footage and just need an editor, ask your videographer if they offer just editing services as well.

7. Licensing and Usage Rights:

 

Determine whether you need exclusive rights to the video footage or if you're comfortable with non-exclusive licensing. Most videographers will grant their clients access to the final video products delivered but do not give access to the raw footage for the client to use. If you need exclusive rights to the raw footage, that typically comes at a higher price. Think about it: If you have access to all the raw footage and never need that videographer’s services again, that videographer is losing out on future business with you because you have all the material you need to put that video together. So, they will typically charge an additional fee to sell you the raw footage. Of course, that fee probably won’t be as costly as having them edit together several more videos for you.

 

8. Get Multiple Quotes:

It's a good practice to request quotes from multiple videographers. This will give you a better sense of the market rate for the type of services you require. Remember, the lowest quote isn't always the best option; consider the quality of work and the videographer's experience.

9. Consider the Value:

When budgeting for a videographer, think beyond the immediate cost. Consider the long-term value that high-quality video content can bring to your brand. A well-produced video can boost engagement, conversions, and brand perception, making it a worthwhile investment. People who spend several thousand dollars on a video could see several hundred thousand dollars as a return on their investment through new clients, donations, etc. as a result of that video. We’ve seen it happen.

 

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how much a business should expect to spend on a videographer. Your budget should align with the specific requirements of your project, the expertise and experience of the videographer and your overall business goals. If we had to say a number… on average, expect to spend at least several thousand dollars on a well-produced video. The bigger the video company ( i.e. the more employees, contractors, and overhead they need), the more you will be paying for your video (just like any business/service). I've seen 30 second videos range in price from $400- $10,000 depending on a number of factors that are involved in the production. Videographers have to make a living off their clients’ projects so it would be unreasonable to only budget several hundred dollars for a project that might take a couple weeks or more to complete. If you wouldn’t be willing to accept a $500 or less payment from your workplace every pay period, it’s good to assume a videographer shouldn’t work for that little either.

 

Ultimately, the right videographer can be a valuable partner in helping your business succeed through compelling visual storytelling.

A person is holding a microphone in their hand.
By Jamie Perez June 27, 2025
Mastering the art of storytelling takes years of practice. You can buy all the top-tier equipment in the world and still struggle with telling a good story. Because while the nice cameras can make a good visual, no amount of equipment in the world can produce a good soundbite. Only the person behind the camera can do that. If you are someone who has been creating videos or sharing stories and wonder why your videos just don't hit you in the feels the way you want them to, it's time to do some self-reflection and ask yourself how good the interview questions were that you came up with. Because your interviewee is a direct reflection of the interviewer . We see so many people pay thousands of dollars for incredibly cinematic video... but the message just isn't there. It fell flat and now you've just spent all this money for a video that ultimately won't work the way you wanted it to. If you are running an organization and are about to sit down for a video interview, I would want to know that the person behind the camera was a good interviewer and knew how to calm my nerves, knew how to ask the right questions to make me really think about my WHY, and could pull emotion out of me that I'm not used to sharing. We've put together several tips about how to approach an interview, from the way you enter the room, to the questions you ask when the lights and camera are rolling: If the tone of your story is raw, emotional and authentic, enter the room this way. Have conversations with your interviewees as you're setting up your gear to talk about soft, heartwarming topics. Maybe even share something vulnerable about yourself so break down that wall we tend to put up around others. Show them that it's okay to not always put your best self forward. That we are all human and life happens. This helps them not only feel comfortable with you before the camera starts recording, but allows them to open up during the actual interview. If you enter the room with a serious demeanor or frazzled because you're running late, you're bringing that energy onto the set and your interview will be reflective of that. Ask better questions if you want better answers. For example: If you ask someone if they like the sunset-- that's a yes or no answer you're going to get. But if you ask them," Tell me through the use of colors what you love about the sunset and paint a picture so I can imagine what you're seeing -- that is a prompt that encourages them to share a memory, an emotion, a sensory experience that invites a much richer soundbite. Stay away from yes or no questions. Those will not help you the editing process. Talk from the heart, not from a script. If you're sticking to a pre-planned script -- that's all you're going to get. But if you go into an interview and just have an authentic conversation driven by curiosity and natural chatter, you're more likely to get sound that you didn't even anticipate. Let the curiosity of the moment drive the conversation instead of bringing a piece of paper that has a list of questions to get through. Be curious and go off script if you MUST have one. When you are genuinely curious about someone's life and you approach it in a caring way, they want to share their story. They want to feel seen, they want to feel heard and not judged. No one likes to keep things inside. And keeping things inside is not good for us. We need connection, we need people and we need people who care. Embrace silence. This is such an important skill to master. Most of the time when we are talking to someone, we interject with "Yea" "Uh huh" "Absolutely" and so on. When you are recording an interview on camera, it's important for the interviewer to stay completely silent after they've asked their question. It's hard to edit out your interjections so you want to make sure your voice cannot be heard during their answer. A simple head nod to address that you're listening will suffice. And after your interviewee has finished their sentence, don't start talking immediately. Give it a few seconds of silence. We do this for two reasons: it helps during the editing process to have some padding to work with in case we need to dissolve or add a transition between clips, and it opens up an opportunity for the interviewee to say more... and oftentimes, that "more" can turn into a really powerful soundbite that you weren't expecting to get simply because they wanted to fill that silence. These aren't just good tips to use during interviews -- these are good tips to help you have a more rich and meaningful connection with others in real life!
Camera Lens
By Jamie Perez May 29, 2025
Most of the time when nonprofit organizations are sharing stories, we are hearing from staff members, the founder and clients. All of these are perfectly fine stories to tell... but what about sharing the donor stories? When a nonprofit has regular donors, there's probably a story behind WHY they believe in your cause so much. There's a heartfelt element to why out of all the nonprofits they could donate to -- why do they choose YOURS to give to time and time again? They most likely relate to your mission. They believe what you believe about a problem that needs to be addressed and they wanted to be part of the solution. Maybe they went through a traumatic situation that your organization is helping people solve. Get to know your donors. Be curious. They're just as much a part of your organization as your staff and clientele. By sharing their stories, they not only feel more involved in an organization they already care so deeply about, but it also could be a great way to attract MORE donors who can relate to their story. Donors give because of stories -- their gifts don't come from coercion; they come from emotion, a desire to connect. It opens up a relationship and this is how wallets open and lives are transformed. People want to know they belong to something and that they're making a difference. It feels good for anyone to know they're needed, wanted and appreciated. Show them the impact of their gift through storytelling. Don't just focus on them when you need something from them. Engage them. Make them part of the organization's journey. To help get you started, here are a couple questions that could ignite some great soundbites when interviewing your donors: What happened in your life that makes you so compelled to support our cause? Why is this need so important to address? With these questions, you're not only asking them to address the need that your organization is addressing, but you're still focusing on THEIR story. By bringing them along this journey and asking these questions, it helps remind them why they give monetary gifts to you. And their story and their reasons could encourage others to do the same. BE CURIOUS. THESE ARE THE TYPES OF STORIES THAT ARE NEVER TOLD BECAUSE WE NEVER ASK . By being curious, sharing THEIR story, you're showing them you not only care about them helping your cause, but you care about them as people. And who doesn't like to share their story with someone who is truly interested?
Owner of Beyond Words Jamie Perez interviews woman on camera in studio setting
By Jamie Perez April 30, 2025
Owner of Beyond Words Jamie Perez interviews woman on camera in studio setting
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