When Do You Need a Videographer vs. a Professional Video Production Company?

Light, camera, action…..or NOT?

Whether you are launching a new service, planning to shoot a testimonial video, or simply want to promote your product image, the question arises: videographer or professional video production company?

Stats reveal that-

→ 87% of businesses have seen a positive return on investment from video production. 

→ 55% of companies have also experienced reduced costs by hiring freelance workers. 

(Source: Freelance Statistics for 2024 | Essential Video Marketing Statistics: 2024)

It is like picking between your favorite local pizza place and a fancy Michelin-starred restaurant. Both offer good food. However, the line draws when it comes to quality and satisfaction. That’s the difference between hiring a freelancer and a video production company.

Highlights of Videographer vs. Video Production Company 1. Video production companies are packed with expert teams who can deliver top-notch quality for highly scaled projects. 2. Videographers are a small project based due to limited resources. 3. Videos for corporate, brands, commercials, and product advertising need a professional video production team. 4. The production company handles A to Z on your behalf from pre-production to post-production. 5. The video production company can be costlier, but the quality disappoints you.

Understanding the Roles: Videographer vs. Video Production Company

What Does a Videographer Do?

The videographer we are talking about here is a freelancer. Their work lists are mainly based on different niches. There, they imply a basic set of skills to capture raw footage. Videographers do their job alone but sometimes bring people together for bigger projects. 

Key Skills of a Videographer 1. Operating a camera  2. Handling sound 3. Basic video editing 4. Color correction

Operating a camera and handling sound

What a videographer has in them is an in-depth understanding of camera settings, its functions, and great angles. Their knowledge is in framing and compositing the whole subject for a worthy shot. They know how to make a plain shot more visually appealing. 

Another thing is sound; videographers don’t just capture the moment; they also contribute to the type of sounds that go better with the photo. They utilize audio techniques to ensure a clear and balanced sound.

Basic video editing and color correction

Videographers also bring video editing skills. Their knack for editing raw footage and adding transitions makes it look high-quality and deserving of praise. They enhance the visual with color correction where needed. They even utilize editing software for trimming, arranging clips, and adding effects and music. 

Ideal Scenarios for Hiring a Videographer

But whom is the videographer working for? Or should we say who should hire them and for what? 

Here is the answer. 

If you have:

1. Small business projects
2. Low budget for event coverage
3. Short content to post on social media

The videographer is very handy if your projects include short and sweet product demos, company testimonials, or behind-the-scenes footage. Their cost rates and video editing skills will be quite effective for small businesses.

Here are the ones with a low budget for video making. If your whole agenda is just to cover weddings, parties, or corporate events, then a videographer can deliver what you need, which is lower cost and effective results. At the end of the day, you will get documents and key moments from the events.

The freelance videographer is like a fairy mother of short-form content. Your target is to get views from Instagram reels or TikTok videos; hire a videographer. They will develop shots that align with the latest trends and platforms. The end result is an engaging video with minimal production.

What Does a Video Production Company Offer?

It’s time to talk about the big bulls. Big bulls because the video production company works as a troop. You say the name; they have skilled men for it. The video production company is actually a team with unique talents for specific sides.  

They deliver all-out services, from pre-production planning to post-production editing. Everything happens in-house and works directly for the company. 

Core Services of a Video Production Company

When it comes to services, you can expect multiple specialties—let’s say things that go behind successful video making. 

Service	What do they do	Description
Pre-production planning	→ Concept development → Scripting  → Storyboarding → Location scouting  → Scheduling	They work closely with clients to develop a creative idea, storyboard, and script for the video. Even selecting the perfect location that goes with the concept. All this work to ensure your message is conveyed correctly to your audience.
Camera setups	→ Equipment selection → Camera placement → Framing	The camera setup is also crucial. Because they have equipment like lenses and accessories, the cameraman knows how to place the camera at a certain angle to ensure that subjects are framed effectively.
Professional lighting	→ Lighting design → Equipment → Techniques	The knowledge of proper lighting setup is highly remarkable here. To create the perfect atmosphere for the concept, lightman uses three-point, high-key, and low-key lighting.
Advanced audio	→ Audio equipment  → Sound design	Video production companies use various audio equipment, such as microphones, mixers, and recorders, to capture clear and balanced sound. They also add sound effects, music, and voiceovers so that your audience doesn’t get distracted.
Post-production services	→ Editing → Color grading → Visual effects → Sound mixing → Mastering	They employ skilled editors, motion graphic artists, and sound designers to create polished and visually appealing videos. This involves editing the footage, adding special effects, and ensuring the overall quality of the video.

Ideal Projects for a Professional Video Production Company

The next big question is, who is the target audience of a video production company? To make it easier, how about we tell you when you want to hire a video production company?

1. Corporate video production
2. Commercial video
3. Branded content
4. Complex narrative
5. Cinematic projects 

Whether it’s a company profile, training materials, or product launches, a reliable video production company can bring your vision to life. Their professional-grade videos effectively convey your company’s message and brand identity.

Do you want to step out of the ordinary for your commercials or branded content? Your go-to call should be the production company. 

Check out this fantastic video on how your project needs a professional video production company to be one step ahead.  LocalEyes Video

5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Between a Videographer and a Video Production Company

Who are they, and what you should expect from them?

1. Project Complexity 

Video production will appear more compatible when your video project scale is vast and requires more than just capturing footage. 

Here is some example that demands a more extensive team:

• Corporate event coverage: 89% of marketers believe event marketing is crucial to attaining business objectives. It goes without saying that such large-scale events should be covered by professionals. This type of event calls for multiple cameras, live streaming, and post-production editing, which only a full production company can provide. 

• Promotional campaigns: As time passes, 64% of marketers are now investing in promotional campaigns to build social media communities. For that, their videos must be consistent in style and tone. Only a speckled team with directors, producers, and editors can do what a freelance videographer lacks.
• TV ads: TV ads aren’t going out of style. They still have the potential to grab viewers if you manage to broadcast high-quality commercials. Harvard Business Review said 80% of customers still trust TV advertising for product details.  If you want to create such powerful information, a professional production crew with experience in lighting, sound, and special effects.
  

2. Budget Consideration

Initially,  hiring a solo videographer might seem tempting because of the cost rates. You will be more driven to the budget-friendly videographer option. 

However, the services a video production company offers justify charging a higher upfront fee. They’ll provide you with extra services like scriptwriting, location scouting, and music licensing that a videographer can’t offer.

Here’s a breakdown of the typical costs linked with each option:

Videographer	Video Production Company
→ Hourly rate or flat fee → Rented equipment → Travel expenses → Basic editing cost → Additional services cost (Drone footage or 360-degree video)	→ Project-based payment → Salaries for crew or freelance teammate → Equipment rental or ownership → Location cost → Talent casting fees → Editing software expenses

3. Timeline and Deadlines

Not every project is flexible with deadlines. Some projects might have tight deadlines, so you need to act as soon as possible. At that point, you can only rely on a video production company. The reason is that they are always equipped to handle the workload. Their packed team can work simultaneously to ensure that the project is completed on time. 

You won’t get it from a solo videographer, as they might already be juggling multiple projects. They may find the challenging deadline unexpectedly difficult.

Turnaround Times
Solo videographer	Video Production Company
It can be slower due to limited resources and potential scheduling conflicts.	Often, it has fast turnaround times because of the expert team, in-house resources, and efficient workflow.

4. Production Quality and Equipment

Coming to the technical part. The quality of your video project highly depends on the equipment. Whoever you hire, you must ensure they have advanced equipment to produce the video. 

Let’s see the essential tools that are needed:

Devices	Types	Used In
Cameras	DSLR Mirrorless Camcorders Cinema Cameras	Different types of cameras offer varying levels of image quality, from low light performance to slow motion capabilities.
Lenses	Prime lenses Zoom lenses Specialty Lenses	Professional lenses offer better image resolution, durability, and manual control, which can impact the footage overall.
Lighting Setup	LED Lights Softbox lighting Ring Lights	Proper lighting can dramatically affect the mood, change the atmosphere, and evoke certain emotions through video.
Sound design tools	Lavalier Shotgun Condenser Microphone	High-quality audio and high-resolution images come together. A correct sound designing tool can provide a professional-looking and sounding video.

Why Equipment and Team Expertise Matters for Quality

The point here is not only having the advanced equipment sets. You will need expert people who actually know how to operate such equipment. 

A skilled videographer or production company can:

• Utilize equipment to its fullest potential. They understand both the capabilities and limitations of different video-capturing setups.
• Create visually appealing compositions. Their strong sense of composition and equipment aligns to achieve the desired effects.
• Both know how to capture high-quality audio with sound recording tools to have crystal clear audio.
• Their skills in footage editing transform simple footage into a cinematography shot. It creates a polished final product.

Creative Control and Vision

When a Videographer Can Deliver Personalized Content

A freelance videographer might be the answer if you are searching for a more personalized and collaborative experience. 

They will:

• Work closely with you in one-on-one sessions to fulfill specific needs and preferences.
• Be more flexible and responsive to adapt changes according to your vision or schedule.
• Provide a more intimate and personal feel to your video to authentically represent your brand or story.

When a Production Company Can Help Realize Larger, More Complex Ideas

The answer is actually within the question. A video production company should be an easier choice if the project requires an expert team and specialized services. 

They will:

• Bring in multiple specialists such as directors, producers, actors, editors, and other professionals to contribute their expertise.
• Excuse a grand vision with multiple camera shots, exquisite location, and special effects.
• Provide a higher level of production value to create visually stunning and professionally produced videos. 

Which One Should You Choose?

You can work as either a videographer or a video production company; the decision is yours. However, you will need to understand what they bring to the table. It can be daunting, especially if you are new in the industry. 

We would say try to understand the key differences between these two options. Here are our key points so you can make an informed decision. 

Real-World Examples: Videographer vs. Production Company

It’s time to see some results. We don’t want you to think that these are all just talks about videographers and production companies. We have some real examples demonstrating what a freelance videographer can offer and what a video production can accomplish.

Example One: Social Media Campaign

• Brand: The Coffee Beanery
• Project: A local coffee shop that wanted to create a series of videos to post on social platforms to promote their newly launched coffee line.
• Videographer: They hired a solo videographer to capture the coffee shop’s vibrant atmosphere. They have also added behind-the-scenes shots and shots of visually appealing drinks.
• Outcome: The videographer created the series with engaging videos. It quickly gained attraction on social media and drove increased foot traffic to the coffee shop.

Example Two: Corporate Brand Video

Brand: Bolt

• Project: A tech company wanted a corporate brand video to attract investors and showcase how they are working for the future generation.
• Video production company: While a videographer could have produced a basic video, the company hired a professional video production team. They demanded high-quality, visually stunning shots that would leave a long-lasting impression.
• Outcome: The video production company successfully created a visually striking video that effectively communicated the company’s mission, values, and offerings. The video helped the company secure significant funds and establish itself in the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which One are you hiring: a Videographer or a Video Production company?

Just a quick heads-up—it’s okay to take your time and choose the right videographer for your project. It’s important not to just go with the cheapest option without considering the quality. 

For high-profile projects, it’s best to have a skilled team on board. That’s where a video production company comes in. 
At LocalEyes, we have an amazing team ready to bring your vision to life, backed by over 150-plus glowing reviews from clients all around the world.