Why Companies Need an In-House Videographer

by Eliza Spain on May 31, 2023

When considering hiring an in-house videographer for your company, there are several factors to consider.

Is it a smart investment for your business?

Will everyone be supportive of the decision?

Can you find someone who can handle the role's responsibilities effectively?

Hiring someone for a new strategy can be intimidating, especially if you are worried about keeping them busy.

But here’s the thing: if they are committed to producing at least three videos per week, that should be plenty to keep them busy.

It’s essential to remember that video production involves more than just shooting and editing.

There’s also pre-production work like scripting and storyboarding and post-production work like sound design and color grading, which all take time in addition to shooting and editing videos.

Companies must stay on top of their marketing and promotional efforts.

Video content is becoming increasingly popular to showcase a company's work and connect with customers.

This is why many companies consider hiring an in-house videographer to produce high-quality videos that showcase their expertise and highlight their unique value proposition.

“Video is an effective form of communication that needs to be integrated into each and every aspect of your existing marketing efforts.”

- James Wedmore, Founder of Video Traffic Academy

An in-house videographer can be a valuable asset to a company.

They provide a range of benefits that can help you stand out in a crowded market, build your brand, and grow your customer base.

This article will explain why you should hire an in-house videographer for your business, what to look for when hiring, the cost and benefits, and why it is worth the investment. 

Let's get started.

Why Hire In-House?

Most businesses require assistance producing top-quality content that meets their marketing and sales objectives.

Hiring in-house can offer numerous benefits, such as a deeper understanding of your industry and target audience, enhanced collaboration within your organization, and maintaining consistency with your brand’s voice.

The advantages of having an in-house videographer can have a significant impact on the quality, efficiency, and authenticity of your video content, including:

• They produce content much faster due to their familiarity with your staff, style, and tone. They can also make decisions that an outsourced company may need help with, such as determining the appropriate use of humor.
• Comfort your team as they work alongside team members. This, in turn, will result in higher-quality content, as subject matter experts will feel more relaxed and at ease.
• An intimate understanding of your business that an outsourced production company cannot match. They know your products or services and unique value propositions, understand your target audience, and why consumers would be interested in your offerings. This enables them to create content that accurately reflects your brand and builds trust with potential customers.

If you're considering hiring someone in-house or transitioning someone on your team, take a look at some key points to keep in mind:

• Cost: Consider the financial investment required to hire or train someone for the role.
• Expertise: Evaluate whether the candidate has the necessary skills and experience to fulfill the role's responsibilities.
• Timeframe: Determine the timeline for training the new hire and how it fits within the company’s overall goals.
• Company culture: Ensure the new hire fits the company’s culture and values well.
• Existing resources: Assess whether the company has the necessary resources and infrastructure to support the new hire in their role.

If you decide to transition, ensuring that the individual can fully commit to their new role and has the necessary support and resources to succeed is crucial.

This requires careful planning and coordination to ensure a seamless transition and maximize the benefits of having an in-house videographer.

Transitioning someone into a role requiring specific skills and knowledge in video production and editing may be challenging, especially if your current team members still need these skills. 

An in-house videographer can offer a significant advantage by capturing real-time footage demonstrating your company's capabilities and helping establish trust with potential customers.

This means you'll be able to showcase your work more engagingly and dynamically, and prospective clients will be able to see for themselves the quality of your services.

For companies, having a videographer can be particularly valuable in:

• Answering common customer questions
• Demonstrating your trustworthiness 
• Highlighting customer success stories 
• Providing a compelling and authentic way to showcase your work and building credibility with prospects
• Capturing real-time footage of your team in action to showcase your expertise and build confidence in your abilities

Hiring an in-house videographer can offer numerous advantages for a company, such as having a dedicated professional to create high-quality video content and potentially reducing costs in the long run. 

When searching for a suitable candidate, it's important to consider their experience, creativity, technical skills, equipment, and ability to align with the company's vision and brand.

Let’s look at the essential qualities you want to look for when hiring for this role.

In-House Vs. Freelance: What’s the difference? 

Hiring an in-house rather than a freelance photographer can significantly impact your operations and budget when capturing high-quality images for your business.

An in-house photographer becomes an integral part of your team, fully immersed in your brand's culture and vision.

This ongoing collaboration fosters a deep understanding of your company's aesthetic and goals, ensuring consistency across all visual content.

In-house photographers can also provide immediate availability, enabling quicker project turnaround times and a flexible response to urgent needs.

On the other hand, freelance photographers offer a level of flexibility and expertise that can be highly beneficial, especially for businesses with variable or seasonal photography needs.

Freelancers often bring a diverse portfolio and fresh perspectives from working with various clients, which can infuse creativity and innovation into your projects. 

Hiring a freelance photographer can also be more cost-effective for businesses that do not require a full-time photographer. You only pay for the services when needed, without the overhead costs associated with a permanent employee.

Choosing an in-house or freelance photographer depends on your business's specific needs, budget, and long-term goals.

If your company requires constant, cohesive visual content and values, having a dedicated team member who deeply understands your brand, such as an in-house photographer, is the ideal solution!

Conversely, if your photography needs fluctuate or you seek diverse, high-quality perspectives, a freelance photographer could provide the flexibility and specialized skills necessary to enhance your visual marketing efforts.

Related: 22 Marketing Ideas That Will Win You New Business

What to Look for in a Videographer

When hiring someone in-house for the role of a visual storyteller, it is essential to find a candidate who is a good culture fit and possesses strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills.

This is because this person will frequently contact employees within the organization and may need to give and receive feedback to ensure the development of the best possible video content.

When seeking a suitable candidate, consider the following:

• Ensure they align with your organizational culture and can effectively represent your brand and its message.
• Verify that they possess knowledge of your brand's voice and tone consistency.
• They should have a strong portfolio that showcases their video production skills and experience in creating quality videos.
• They must demonstrate technical proficiency with cameras, lighting, and editing software.
• Creativity and the ability to develop original ideas and concepts for video content are also essential, as is the capacity to work collaboratively with others, including clients and colleagues.

While previous work experience is helpful, it is only sometimes necessary.

Many graduates of journalism, video production, and film school programs have gained hands-on experience through school, internships, or seasonal on-set production work and have excellent demo reels or portfolios to showcase their skills.

To assess a candidate's abilities, it is recommended that they share examples of projects or work they have completed from start to finish. Ask them about the kind of equipment they have experience using and the projects they’ve worked on.

This will provide a sense of the quality of their skills across the entire video production process.

Once you understand the qualities to look for in a videographer, you should consider the cost of hiring and video production.

Who Owns the Copyright When a Company Hires a Photographer?

Understanding copyright ownership is crucial when a company hires a photographer, as it impacts how images can be used, distributed, and monetized. 

Generally, when a company hires a freelance photographer, the photographer retains the copyright to the images they create unless a written agreement states otherwise. 

This means the photographer has the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and display the images.

For the company to use the photographs as needed, they must secure a license from the photographer, specifying the permitted uses, duration, and limitations.

Companies need to negotiate these terms upfront to avoid potential legal disputes and ensure they have the rights necessary for their intended use of the images.

However, the scenario changes if the photographer is an in-house employee. In this case, the work created by the photographer typically falls under "work for hire," where the employer automatically owns the copyright to any images produced as part of the photographer's job duties. 

This means the company has full rights to use, modify, and distribute the photographs without additional permissions or licenses from the photographer!

Regardless of the photographer's employment status, companies should have clear, written agreements outlining the ownership and usage rights of the photographs to protect their interests and avoid misunderstandings.

Cost of Hiring & Video Production

On average, an in-house videographer is paid around $50,000 annually. To achieve optimal results with video content, the videographer is expected to create about 150 videos per year or three videos per week.

This means the cost per video an in-house hire produces would be approximately $350. 

While it's essential to consider these costs, additional upfront expenses, such as equipment and editing tools, can range from $2,000 to $50,000, depending on quality. 

Other expenses may include travel costs for on-site filming and ongoing training and development for the videographer to stay current with the latest techniques and technologies. Overall, the all-in costs for hiring an in-house videographer can range from $55,000 to $90,000.

On the other hand, the cost of outsourcing video production can vary widely depending on various factors, such as the length and complexity of the video, the level of expertise of the production company, and the location of the production team.

If you decide to outsource your video production, you can expect to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 per video, depending on its length and complexity. So, assuming you produce the same number of videos each year, as mentioned earlier, your expenditure would be at least $150,000/per year.

While having an in-house videographer can bring many advantages to a company, it's important to consider the costs and ensure it's a justifiable investment based on the company's needs and budget.

Conclusion

Hiring an in-house videographer can benefit companies looking to enhance their marketing and outreach efforts. 

A skilled videographer can be a valuable asset for any business, from creating compelling video content that showcases their work and services to improving their online presence and brand reputation. 

While hiring an in-house videographer has costs, the potential return on investment in terms of increased sales, customer engagement, and brand recognition can be significant. 

By carefully evaluating your needs, budget, and goals, you can decide whether hiring an in-house videographer is right for your business.

Have questions?

Are you seeking more information to help you make the best decision for you and your company? 

We are here to help. 

Schedule some time to talk with us today!