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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.
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.
As a videographer, you'll need:
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.
Access thousands of courses from some of Australia's leading providers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To protect yourself and your videography business, there are some important legal documents to consider before starting. These include:
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:
You can get legal advice and services and legal document templates and examples online. Compare the options below for more information.
Read more: Where to begin at tax time if you run a small business.
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.
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.
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