How do you choose the right videographer?

You have an idea for a video. But a quick online search "videographer in my area" reveals there are many video production companies online promising top notch results. How do you sift through their content to find the right match for your vision?

It’s overwhelming.

That’s why we want to help you find the right production team with these six practical steps:

1. Evaluate Their Portfolio and Recent Work:

• Style and Quality: What do you think of their portfolio? Pay attention to their style and the quality of their previous work. Remember, they’ll showcase their best work upfront–try to dig a little deeper in their portfolio to get a more well-rounded understanding of the content they produce. If they don’t offer more than a few videos on their site–ask to see more. They’re a videography company–that shouldn’t be a problem!

• Relevance: Determine if their style aligns with your vision and the desired outcome for your project.

  
  

The right production team will listen to your vision for the project and offer insight on how to best accomplish it.

2. Prioritize Communication and Collaboration:

• Initial Contact: Evaluate how responsive and professional they are during your initial contact.

• Creative Alignment: Discuss your project goals and ensure they understand your vision. A production team who doesn’t want to work with you to achieve your vision or make it better isn’t worth your time. 

• Team Dynamics: Assess if their team is collaborative and open to your input. And if they can offer you mind blowing creative ideas too, even better!

Production teams should be a cohesive unit.

3. Ask the Right Questions:

• Relationship Expectations: Clarify their expectations for the working relationship and their involvement in the project. Do they expect you to find the talent? Create the script? How hands-on do you need to be on this project? 

• Project Usage: Inquire about their plans for using your project in their portfolio or marketing materials. This one matters if you want privacy! 

• Unique Selling Points: Ask what sets them apart from other videography companies in the industry. Are they simply a “videographer in my area” or do they bring something unique to the table? Incredible drone shots? Animation? Creative storytelling? 

4. Research Their Reputation:

• Client Testimonials: Look for testimonials and reviews from previous clients to gauge their satisfaction. This one is big–always check to see what others say!

• Industry Recognition: Check if they have any awards or industry recognition. Another way to test their recognition is to look at the companies they’ve worked with in the past. If they are pulling in some big names, well, that’s recognition in itself. 

• Team Experience: Ask about experience and qualifications of their team members. This information can often be found online too! 

  
  

5. Define Your Needs and Expectations:

• Project Goals: What are your project goals and the desired outcome? Be as clear as possible here!

• Budget and Timeline: Establish your budget and timeline constraints. 

• Risk Tolerance: Do you want to try something edgy and fun, or stick to a classic script? Either is great–but it’s good to know upfront which you’re more comfortable with. 

The best production companies go the extra mile to produce exceptional videos.

6. Seek Expert Advice:

• Consult a Professional: If you're unsure about evaluating videography work, ask someone who has experience in the field to help you choose a team.

  
  

These six steps can lead you to finding the right fit for all your production needs. We wish you the best choosing a videography team!