It is no secret that video content has grown a lot in popularity.

People love watching videos! Whenever we watch a video, it can be easy to forget that someone filmed it. Shocking, I know.

With this rise in video content, you would think that freelance videography is a popular and well-known career choice within media. The truth, though, is that most people think of writing when they think of freelancing in the media space.

Yes, writing is a big part of the freelancing world, but it doesn't have a monopoly on the media. Videography earned its spot at the table.

Pause, because Alrika Möller from media update is unravelling freelance videographers' place in the media — scene by scene.

What does a freelance videographer do?

If you haven't figured it out just yet, a freelance videographer films footage for different projects and clients.

The process goes a little something like this …

A client contacts the videographer asking them to film footage of a specific event. They stipulate what kind of footage they want and what they are planning to use it for.

The videographer shows up at the event with a lovely set of equipment and starts filming anything and everything the clients have asked them to film. Once the event is finished, they go home and look at the footage they have gathered.

Some freelance videographers then edit the footage according to the client's requests, while others just hand the footage over. It basically comes down to the services they provide and the requests of the client.

When all is finished, the clients pay them for the footage, and it is all done and dusted.

What do you need to be a freelance videographer?

This topic can lead to great debate as some people believe that talent and a good camera are all you need. There are those who believe that knowledge is power and equipment makes all the difference.

If you fall in the second group, then an education is for you. The most common education for a videographer is a film or art school with a focus on filming and camera work and editing, as some clients ask you to edit the footage as well.

A common move for videographers is to work as an assistant or apprentice for a well-established videographer and learn the tricks of the trade before you go out on your own.

Where do freelance videographers fit into the media space?

Freelance videographers can fall into a wide variety of categories, from wedding videography to filming corporate training videos and everything else in between. When it comes to the media space, however, there are a few specific standouts.

News videography

This one is a little self-explanatory. News stations and channels are not always able to get to every newsworthy event or get the footage they want and need. That is where freelance videography comes in.

If being a news videographer is your fancy, there are two main ways to go about it. In some cases, the news station contacts the videographer and asks them to film something specific for a segment in the news.

Another way to go about it is to keep your ear on the ground and yourself well informed so that you can go to the breaking news situations to film your footage. You can contact the news station or channel, offering them the footage at a fee.

Sports videography

As much as we wish it entails videography as a sport, it does not. Sports videography is the filming of sporting events and teams.

This could be anything from a World Cup Final to a team looking to get some behind-the-scenes practice videos.

Sports videographers can follow the same routes as news videographers by waiting for the call or making the calls.

The main clients for sports videographers are television programmes or Youtube and social media sports pages. In recent years, the concept of posting sports podcasts on Youtube has become quite popular, and these podcasters or shows sometimes need footage of the game to add context.

Sports teams themselves often hire videographers to film the athletes playing or training in order to use it for their websites or attract sponsors.

Events videography

Big events are inevitable. Concerts, festivals and expos happen all year round. These events can be a videographer's bread and butter as there are a wide range of clients looking for footage of such events.

The hosts and planners of the event often use the footage on their websites as a way to showcase their past work. They also use the event footage for social media pages and PR campaigns.

Another use for the videographer's footage is news channels and discussion pages. Whenever a big event happens, there is a chance that some news station or television programme wants to talk about it during a pop culture segment.

Videographers can purchase their own tickets and make their own opportunities by going to these events and filming everything they can to be used by whoever needs and wants it.

Otherwise, they go as a commissioned videographer and get their ticket provided by the client.

Corporate videography

Some companies have their own videography departments, depending on their needs and budget, but most companies don't require daily videography. Therefore, they make use of freelance videographers.

These videographers film anything from:
  • in-house training videos
  • product tutorials
  • company events
  • big announcements, to
  • charitable efforts.

Companies then use this footage as part of their website and social media or for marketing efforts and press releases.

When it comes to videography within the media world, the possibilities are endless.


Have you ever used a freelance videographer? Let us know in the comment section below.

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The media world is a vast space filled with a great deal of industries and opportunities. If you are looking for more insight into different aspects of the media, start off by checking out these Careers in radio.
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