How to start a videography business

If you love shooting video content, you can monetise your passion by starting a videography business. In this guide, we set out the key practical, financial and legal factors to consider before starting your own videography business.

What is a videography business?

A videography business shoots, edits and produces video content for brands and clients. Typically, a videography business will work on small-scale video productions like wedding and event videos, corporate videos and real estate videos.

How to start a videography business

1. Find your niche. In a competitive industry, it's important to find your target market. For example, you can specialise in wedding and event videography, corporate video production or editing YouTube content.
2. Develop a business plan and products. Write a business plan that takes into account market research, estimated income and expenses, and the pricing of your services.
3. Create a brand name and a logo. It's a good idea to create a business name and logo that reflects what you do. You should register your business name with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), unless you're planning to run the business under your own legal name. For your logo, you can hire a graphic designer or you can use these graphic design tools and services to create your own logo.
4. Get the right equipment and software. As a videography business owner, you will need a high quality video camera and editing software.
5. Consider loan options. Depending on the equipment you plan to use, you may need to apply for a loan to start your business. If you can't get a business loan, there are also personal loan options available.
6. Choose the right structure for your business. Most of the time, operating as a Sole Trader or Partnership is a simple and cost-effective way to run a videography business. However, there are advantages of registering your business as a Company if there are external investors involved or if you wish to better protect yourself against the business's future liabilities.
7. Consider legal requirements. You may need to get legal document templates such as a Service Agreement and Cancellation Policy. If you're hiring models and actors to appear in your video, you may also need a Model or Talent Release Form.
8. Market your business. You can use advertising on Google and social media, invest in building an online portfolio and respond to job ads on online job marketplaces like Airtasker and Oneflare.

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Skills needed to start a videography business

As a videographer, you'll need:

• Video shooting and editing skills. You'll need to have experience in shooting and editing video content and have a portfolio to prove that you are experienced in video production.
• Customer service and organisational skills. It's also important to have the skills to provide clients with a positive experience. You need communication skills to set clear expectations for clients, models, other creatives and venue managers, as well as organisational skills to prioritise more urgent tasks.
• Business skills. As a small business owner, you will need some basic business skills such as bookkeeping and marketing. Write a business plan detailing how to finance your business, ongoing costs, how to grow and evolve, and your marketing strategy.

Courses and qualifications

While there are no specific qualifications to operate a videography business, studying will help further your skills and offer industry networking opportunities. This is especially valuable if your experience is limited.

Check out informal online learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Skillshare for easily accessible short courses.

For formal qualifications, your options are TAFE colleges, film schools and universities. Fees for these differ, but expect to pay from $1,580 for a Certificate III in Screen and Media at TAFE, $15,000 for a diploma from a private institution or around $23,832 for a Commonwealth Supported Place in a university bachelor's degree.

Read more: Find out the main differences between online and campus courses.

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Equipment and software needed to start a videography business

For a basic videography business you will need:

To lower your startup costs, look into second-hand equipment from sites like Gumtree, eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Alternatively, you can rent the gear you need, but be aware of the costs involved.

Read more: Find out where to buy professional video cameras online in Australia.

Loan options for a videography business

Depending on the level of your savings and the equipment you need to buy up front, you may need to get a loan to start your business. Cameras range in price from $2,500 DSLR cameras to $15,000 HD cameras and $25,000 RED cameras.

Our guide on small business loans can help you figure out which option is the best for you. Keep in mind some lenders will require you to have been operating the business for at least six months to a year, while other lenders will require a minimum annual turnover of at least $100,000.

If you're just starting your business, you may need to think about getting personal loans instead. Before you apply, always make sure you're able to afford all repayments, including any additional fees or charges.

How to structure your videography business

In Australia, the most common business structures are Sole Trader, Partnership or Company. A Sole Trader is a one-person business, a Partnership is two or more people owning a business together and a Company is a separate legal entity from the owners.

You'll need to choose the one which best suits the needs of your videography business and then register for an Australian Business Number (ABN). There are different legal requirements for each structure, and these influence factors like how much tax you'll pay. Read our guide to structuring a business in Australia to find out the pros and cons of different business structures.

How can I market my videography business?

There are many ways to market your videography business. Keep in mind your niche (for example, sports videography) and make sure your marketing strategy aligns with your niche.

• Website. Build a website to showcase your portfolio and provide information on your services, credentials, pricing, client testimonials and contact details. Consider adding a blog to further drive traffic to your website.
• Social media. You can use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Vimeo and YouTube to show off your work and build brand awareness.

Do I need any legal documents written up before I start operating? What about online legal services?

To protect yourself and your videography business, there are some important legal documents to consider before starting. These include:

• Service Agreement. This agreement is between you and your clients outlining the services you're providing and agreed payment. Check out this wedding photography agreement template for more details.
• Partnership Agreement. If you're setting up the business as a partnership, this contract states each person's roles and responsibilities, and brings peace of mind from a legal standpoint.
• Cancellation Policy. This will outline the terms to deal with last-minute cancellations and no-shows.
• Model Release Form. When working with models, this agreement defines how and where the footage can be used, plus the model's compensation.
• Employment Agreement. If you hire employees, it's a legal requirement to have an Employment Agreement that includes the responsibilities of the employee and their payment.

It's also a good idea to speak to a lawyer to have your paperwork reviewed and check your business is legally compliant. You might find it useful to speak to:

• Small business lawyers. Small business lawyers specialise in helping people set up and run a business. They can advise you on how to structure the business, how to negotiate contracts and whether you're compliant with the Australian Consumer Law.
• Copyright lawyers. Copyright lawyers can advise you on any intellectual property issues that may arise in the course of running your videography business. For example, you might need advice on who owns the copyright in the videos you create, how to legally use music in your video content or what to do if a third party uses your video without your consent.

You can get legal advice and services and legal document templates and examples online. Compare the options below for more information.

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What other systems do I need to have in place when starting my videography business?

• Business plan. An important tool when starting any type of business, especially if you're planning to approach a bank or investor for finance.
• Tax records. If your annual business turnover is $75,000 or greater, you're legally required to pay goods and services tax (GST) on all sales. If you employ staff, you'll also need to make pay as you go (PAYG) instalments.

Read more: Where to begin at tax time if you run a small business.

• Insurance. Taking out insurance will help protect your business from risk. For a videography business, you'll need to look at public liability insurance, equipment insurance and income protection insurance.

How much should I charge my customers?

You can charge clients a fixed rate for each project or an hourly rate. For most videography jobs you will be quoting a fixed fee, although it will ultimately depend on the business and the task.

If you're in industries such as wedding and event videography, it's a good idea to prepare three core packages with different prices and market them to clients. According to website Easy Weddings, wedding videography businesses will charge customers between $2,000 and $3,500 for a videography package.

If you're charging by the hour, videography businesses will, on average, charge clients $75 to $200 an hour, which includes shooting, editing and directing.

However, rates for videography services vary greatly depending on the type of service required, the videographer's experience and skill level, and the location the videographer operates in. To get a further idea on what you can charge, start by checking out the rates on your competitors' websites.

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Frequently asked questions

How can I get more videography work?

While word-of-mouth recommendations are valuable, you can take a more proactive approach to securing work using online marketplaces like Airtasker and The Right Fit.

Building relationships with industry contacts is also a brilliant way to secure future work. For example, if you're a wedding videographer, try networking with event planners who may subcontract you for future work.

What should I wear while working as a videographer?

All black, business casual attire is the industry standard and will ensure you appear professional. For weddings or formal occasions, consider a tailored vest or jacket for men, or a dress for women. As you'll be moving, breathable fabrics and comfortable shoes are a must, as is a hat if you're outdoors.

What type of work is available for videographers?

There are many types of work available for videographers. For example, you can specialise in wedding and event video, real estate video, corporate and training video and video production for distance education.