Videography as your sole profession?

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lifepo4

Well-known member
May I ask you guys how many people here whose only career is Videography and rely on it for a living? I am asking this because I have long determined that my profession is too hard on me personally (next job is >1k miles away and MUST move every few years to work for the next startup company) and I want to have some control over my life. I have stayed in 4 states from 2004. Realistically how difficult to make more than $50K per year when you have a sole proprietorship? I know it really depends on your skills and possibly your location.

I talked to Justyn last yesterday and enlightened by him. He is a veteran on this forum and clearly an expert. I am planning to go professional in two years. I know the economy is bad, but hopefully everyone here is doing good even during difficult periods!:beer:
 
I have been doing it for over 18 years now. Working for yourself is hard, especially now that the economy is tanking.

If you don't already have clients and gigs already lined up, then it will be difficult if not impossible to start up a video business right now.

I wish you luck.
 
i tried the whole freelance thing for a while........ let me just tell you it sucks, as far as the guy who owns the studio, well he's driving a Cadillac.
 
lifepo4 said:
May I ask you guys how many people here whose only career is Videography and rely on it for a living? I am asking this because I have long determined that my profession is too hard on me personally (next job is >1k miles away and MUST move every few years to work for the next startup company) and I want to have some control over my life. I have stayed in 4 states from 2004. Realistically how difficult to make more than $50K per year when you have a sole proprietorship? I know it really depends on your skills and possibly your location...
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I have been in business full time since 2000. Things were really lean in the beginning. If you are single, your overhead will probably be lower. When I started I had a wife and three children...well come to think of it, I still have a wife and three children.:)

Are you married and how many people are depending on you to support them? If you are married and your wife has a paycheck, it will take some pressure off of you.

My wife and I do videography as our sole source of income. I don't know that many people where both the husband and wife's sole source of income is from videography, but it can be done.

We have chosen to work together and to focus on weddings and training videogaphers because that is what we enjoy doing the most. For us, it's about quality of life. We could make more money doing other types of video, but we really enjoy the type of projects we take on.

Not having a regular paycheck is not for everyone, but it does have it's advantages. I have more control over how busy I am and my job security versus someone in corporate America. Here is an example.

Last Fall we could see our business was slowing down. We got out there and really started marketing, investing both time and money. Now it's really paying off, even with the economy slowing down. I hear a lot of people complaining that they do not know if they will have a job next week or next month. I don't have that concern because I was able to take control of my business. You don't always have that option in corporate America.

The size and type of market you live in does affect your business plan. My market is relatively small, about 700,000 in the metro area, but I don't limit myself to my own market.
 
Thanks for all the inputs here, I definitely know the pressure from the bad economy and the necessary long-term planning. I am in no hurry to make quick $$$. I will take advantage of my current income and learn as much as I can!
May god bless all hard working folks!
 
I ran my own business for 4 years (ceramic tile installation/remodeling, not videography), and while I made pretty good money it was unstable. Sometimes I had more work than I could do, other times it would be a few weeks in between. All my work came from word of mouth, I never advertised, and I still did pretty well because I delivered quality work at a decent price and always stood behind it. I got out because it was taking a terrible toll on my body (more specifically my knees). Now, I much prefer the steady paycheck, but I realize that its different for everyone. I have now been settled into my career for 17 years. Our department took a substantial pay cut due to the economy, so I am making money on the side in videography. I like it better this way because I don't have to get jobs, but it helps to pay the bills and provides fun money. Just as before I try to deliver a quality product at a decent price. And I pay my taxes.

Not to discourage you, but in all honesty, I would not want to be starting a business that I had to rely on for my sole income right now. I don't have to tell you about consumer confidence being extremely low. I would also add that everyone has their hands in your pockets. When I had my tile business here in California, I had to deal with the IRS, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Employment Development Department, the Contractors License Board, the DMV, County and City governments, just to name a few. While they all those agencies serve a purpose, it was extremely difficult to compete with those who operated "under the table". But I'm glad that I was above board.

If theres any way that you can continue in your job and do this on the side until you can build a foundation, I would recommend it. Again, you may do just fine setting off on your own, especially if you have the drive to succeed, but I prefer to work over a net until I build a foundation.
 
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i work full time as a video producer for a news paper
<sarcasm>such awesome job stability!</saracasm>

and i also bust my ass freelancing in the action sports industry doing videography, editing and graphics. i'm on an airplane atleast once a month and barely have enough time to hang with the wife. but its fun and i hope all this work pays off one day.
 
DaFireMedic said:
I ran my own business for 4 years (ceramic tile installation/remodeling, not videography), and while I made pretty good money it was unstable. Sometimes I had more work than I could do, other times it would be a few weeks in between. All my work came from word of mouth, I never advertised, and I still did pretty well because I delivered quality work at a decent price and always stood behind it. I got out because it was taking a terrible toll on my body (more specifically my knees). Now, I much prefer the steady paycheck, but I realize that its different for everyone. I have now been settled into my career for 17 years. Our department took a substantial pay cut due to the economy, so I am making money on the side in videography. I like it better this way because I don't have to get jobs, but it helps to pay the bills and provides fun money. Just as before I try to deliver a quality product at a decent price. And I pay my taxes.

>> This country will surely rebuild quickly if 70% are like you. :-)

Not to discourage you, but in all honesty, I would not want to be starting a business that I had to rely on for my sole income right now. I don't have to tell you about consumer confidence being extremely low. I would also add that everyone has their hands in your pockets. When I had my tile business here in California, I had to deal with the IRS, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Employment Development Department, the Contractors License Board, the DMV, County and City governments, just to name a few. While they all those agencies serve a purpose, it was extremely difficult to compete with those who operated "under the table". But I'm glad that I was above board.
>>> This is like in China. I hate Californian Communism and left bay area exactly one year ago.

If theres any way that you can continue in your job and do this on the side until you can build a foundation, I would recommend it. Again, you may do just fine setting off on your own, especially if you have the drive to succeed, but I prefer to work over a net until I build a foundation.
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>> no intention quit any time soon. I am a long-term player and will do things step by step, very methodically.
 
We've been running our little husband & wife company for nearly 4 years while supporting a growing family. We're only now starting to see a some profit. It's important to understand that you probably won't see a profit from any legitimate business for the first few years. Many people think that running a video production business is just getting the camera gear yet do not account for the incidental expenses and most importantly their time.

If you really enjoy shooting video and want to keep doing it in the future, I would think long and hard about doing it professionally because I've seen extremely talented colleagues get totally burned out by the industry they once loved. If you really want to go pro then my advice would be to get your foundations right by building a good business plan.

On the other hand freelancing would be ideal for people that just love to shoot because they are not burdened by the task of running a business and dealing with clients. I'd like to add that if the owner of a legitimate business drives around in a nice Cadillac then he deserves it; no one knows the sacrifices he's made to reach that point - me I'm still driving a Hyundai but I too hope that one day I'll be driving a nice car :)
 
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I have been an executive producer/director for thiry + years. I sold my business and the three studios in three cities five years ago and went back to directing,editing and shooting. They were the three thing I loved doing and why I got in the business to begin with and the bigger the biz got the more suits I wore and the less hands-on I did. As an owner with employees to keep busy and their families the pressure,especially in todays market is intense. It was a tough decision to "get out"as many of the folks who worked with me were like family. But I saw the need to "re-tool" all my post gear and flypacks and so on to hi-def coming and got out.
I LOVE SHOOTING! And I can't say it often enough, I make a good living with my camera and have found a niche that works for me. My past client base helps, but I still find myself on the sets of music videos shooting and working with young directors and having a ball.
This is like any other journey in life. Work hard,be honest,give credit where credit is due, pan,tilt and invoice!
Murph
PS: 1st Camera- CP 16
1st Non-Linear system-Steenbeck
1st Video edit system-Ampex VR2000 machine to machine 10 second roll with edit cue tone.

Yep, I am old!
 
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i have been doing primarily wedding videos for the last 8 years. I have had my share of corporate work, and I still pick up clients here and there. My market is about 250K, but like Mark said, I market myself elsewhere. I have had no trouble making
60k+ every year, despite how tight things have been. My full time job is doing video work for a state university, and while i enjoy the steady paycheck, the subject matter is boring to me and I have been looking to get out. So far for this season, I already have over 40k worth of jobs booked, and still have 3-4 open months go to. I am so ready to quit my full time gig, and yes, my wife works full time, so having her insurance is a big help.
 
I do videography and photography on the side with my small ( and I mean very small) production company, it is only two of us. However I still have that steady paycheck working for a communications company and my partner works for Natgeo. I think you have to do whats best for you and do what makes you happy. I cannot wait for the day until I can completely work for myself and be my on boss. My goal is to be there by 30 I am 23 now, so I am working hard towards my goal.
 
lifepo4 said:
...I have long determined that my profession is too hard on me personally (next job is >1k miles away and MUST move every few years to work for the next startup company) and I want to have some control over my life. I have stayed in 4 states from 2004. Realistically how difficult to make more than $50K per year when you have a sole proprietorship? I know it really depends on your skills and possibly your location...:beer:
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You are not the only one who wants out of their job and into something they enjoy. I am probably quite a bit older than you and need quite a bit more minimum income. When I do the math on how many gigs I would need at an estimated revenue level per gig, it becomes clear it would not be possible to start out making near the minimum income I currently need.

So for older professional folks like myself, it's never going to be possible to solely follow my video passion until retirement.

To break into video making money quickly, you need a niche or very good friends in the business. My best source of projects is a good photographer friend. Photographers are usually approached first for any type of project and they are a huge help in directing work to the video guys.

Also, your video skills are probably near the end of the list on being successful. I don't want to underplay the importance of quality, but your business, client interaction and marketing skills are much more important.

So anyway, for another 10 years or so, Im a forced part-timer.
 
Hang in there Jeff! And you are right I get a lot of side gigs from Photography friends. But it also works the other way I get Photography jobs from my Videography friends so I guess i play both sides.
 
Z1Scottie said:
i have been doing primarily wedding videos for the last 8 years. I have had my share of corporate work, and I still pick up clients here and there. My market is about 250K, but like Mark said, I market myself elsewhere. I have had no trouble making
60k+ every year, despite how tight things have been. My full time job is doing video work for a state university, and while i enjoy the steady paycheck, the subject matter is boring to me and I have been looking to get out. So far for this season, I already have over 40k worth of jobs booked, and still have 3-4 open months go to. I am so ready to quit my full time gig, and yes, my wife works full time, so having her insurance is a big help.
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How may weddings are you shooting a year, while working full time? I'm a video producer at a university as well, and shoot weddings too. I'm doing about 15 a year, and find the workload about all I can handle (especially in the summer and fall).
 
I shoot usually between 20-30, and I do freelance editing on the side. I don't always have something on plate at the U, so I edit here when i can, which is all the time :):thumbup:
 
Z1Scottie said:
I shoot usually between 20-30, and I do freelance editing on the side. I don't always have something on plate at the U, so I edit here when i can, which is all the time :):thumbup:
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Wow, 20 to 30 a year plus a full time job, that's hard core. Even 15 would be a huge strain to me. My weekends are dedicated to the kids mostly. I am working on streamlining my capture, edit, and case/dvd, artwork/printing to just a single polished boilerplate, rather than a custom product, but it still takes a lot of hours at this point.

Dafilman21: I know exactly what you mean on it working both ways, I got two wedding photography gigs last year from video buddies. I gotta say, I made more money, more easily on those photo shoots than any video shoot.
 
Photo shoots are a little easier to do imho because there is less that can go wrong. Just nail the exposure, charge the batteries have a backup body and your pretty much good to go.
 
Dafilman21 said:
Photo shoots are a little easier to do imho because there is less that can go wrong. Just nail the exposure, charge the batteries have a backup body and your pretty much good to go.
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lol if only that were true. I'm going to assume this is mainly a joke and won't take it so serious. :-)

That's the equivalent of saying video is easier because you just charge the batteries, pop a tape in and press record.

With the exception of audio you have all the same worries on a photoshoot.
 
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