GH2 Freelance?

roxics

roxics

Veteran
How many of you are doing freelance video or photography work with only a GH2 or GH3?

For the paast seven years I've been working salary for a company doing video and photography work. I currently shoot for them with my personal GH2 and kit 14-45mm. It's all I've been able to afford and they haven't bought me new gear in over 5 years. I would like to do some freelance work and make some money on the side, build up my gear and potentially create an exit strategy for myself.

However by the time our clients get to me they've already been on tour of the three story building in an affuent part of town. They've seen our 40+ employees in different creative departments, they've seen the video reels with seven years of work we've done for everyone from mom and pop shops to fortune 500 companies. They've signed the contract and then I show up with a GH2 and kit lens. By that point they trust I must know what I'm doing. And I do.

But if I go freelance, how much is my little camera going to hurt me? I don't have a reel of my own. I'm restricted from using anything I've shot for the last seven years in a personal reel. So I have nothing to show even though I have all this work and experience.

So there are a couple things I need to get in line. I need to build a personal reel and I need to be able to sell to potential clients. As great as I know the GH2 is, I'm concerned I won't be able to sell myself as a videographer/photographer with that alone. So is anyone else doing it or should I maybe consider investing and 5D3 and Canon glass? I'm most especially concerned about the photo side when it comes to selling myself against pro photographers with big Canon/Nikon gear.
 
roxics said:
But if I go freelance, how much is my little camera going to hurt me? I don't have a reel of my own.
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...This is your own insecurity speaking, as normally nobody cares about the gear you use as long as you act professionally and can deliver the goods on time.

Yes there are jobs where you will only be hired if you own a certain type of camera. I've seen lots of jobs where people specify a Canon 5D, Canon 7D, Sony EX-1, RED camera, etc... ( I got a few freelance jobs because of my HMC-150 camera )

You will definitely need a good demo reel so that people can see what you can produce. As for still photography, you need a good portfolio for the same reasons you need a demo reel.

If still photography was my main thing then I would buy a Nikon D800, which also works well as a video camera. ( the US TV show "Wilfred" is entirely shot on Nikon D800 cameras )
 
Normally I'd say gear doesn't matter, and it doesn't for the first part. But the GH2 is not a professional stills camera, and anyone who has effectively used a proper camera can list a lot of reasons why. That you have to ask implies to me that you don't have the experience to be a major competitor in that field, which is very well saturated by very experienced people charging nothing. Don't try to get serious work using it. For video I find it to be totally legitimate for most projects, as long as you have a strong enough audio kit to go with it. Canon or Nikon is worth the investment if you're doing stills.

This is all marketing, and you might need to research your market and how marketing works a bit more before diving too far in. This forum isn't going to give you those answers. And as for not having a reel, that seems like an easy problem to fix. There is no shortage of things to shoot no matter where you are.
 
Do your reel, showing only what you can reproduce on demand (lighting, sound, etc...). That's what will get you the job or not, most likely. Then what about renting the equipment needed for the shot? When you do an estimate or invoice/bill your client, even if you own the equipment, you have to factor in the equipment anyway.
It seems to me that Cassius is right on when he talks about marketing, providing you have the know-how.

L.
 
I have had no problems using my GH2's for paid video jobs, and customers have been very satisfied. I probably would use a GH3 or Olympus OM-D with my lenses if I intended to make money shooting stills, although images from the GH2 can become quite stunning after a round through Lightroom... Many of the critics of the GH2 as a stills camera haven't tested it themselves, but just repeat other's opininons... Try it out for yourself using good glass, tweak the RAWs and make a highest quality print before you judge... But for video the GH2 is still an absolute gem, and I will only upgrade when I can afford a Canon C100.
 
A hacked Gh2 still delivers unbelievable pics - as does a factory one. Yes, they're small and look non-pro, which is the reason why all those gear junkies stick all that ridiculous rigging on them, and guess what, it takes them so long to move and reset that they look even worse than amateurs. Dazzle them with your composition, lighting, clean audio and high quality pics. Show them how quickly you can set, shoot and reset. If you have a monitor for your client use that and ask them if they like the shot. There is nothing worse than some fool with an overigged set-up fumbling with matteboxes, follow focuses, rails and crap and burning client time. Keep it light and tight.I have a hacked GH2 and a GH3 and shoot video like stills, but with a beachtek box if I'm doing audio - clients love it and talent are not intimidated when you shove a small cam in their face. I would recommend a few more lenses than just a 14-45. You need a wide and a good medium zoom, the faster the better.
 
+1 on the ridiculous rigs and ease of set-up! No-one has ever complained about the tiny camera once they see the results... and being able to have a shoulder bag with two ready-to-shoot GH2's, extra lenses and audio stuff in one hand, and a tripod bag with slider and mini jib in the other shouldn't be underestimated!!
 
i started off as a hobby when the gh1 first came out and through my 3yrs of just shooting for myself. It has only been in the last 8 months that I now get "paid" freelance work just through word of mouth from those personal projects. Make a reel to fast track things. Pick up work on the side to build your reputation and gear. I have yet to have a client question what I shoot on.
 
I'm with you on a slider Troels. The slider is probably the one thing it's worth spending time setting up because used correctly it gives you a BIG cinema feel. Movement will make your pics look even more spectacular. Also set up a blog or website and update it regularly with your latest works. Don't bother with a reel, no-one plays them, just send them a link to go online and they can view your stuff there.
 
roxics said:
How many of you are doing freelance video or photography work with only a GH2 or GH3?

For the paast seven years I've been working salary for a company doing video and photography work. I currently shoot for them with my personal GH2 and kit 14-45mm. It's all I've been able to afford and they haven't bought me new gear in over 5 years. I would like to do some freelance work and make some money on the side, build up my gear and potentially create an exit strategy for myself.
.
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Hold on. You work on salary for a high end creative company doing video...but you use your personal camera, and in 5 years, you've only been able to buy a $700 camera + kit lens? Something doesn't make sense.

Well, anyway. If you're going to do more freelance client work, you should at least invest in more versatile lenses - like the $350 20mm f/1.7. Or even get a cheap adapter and buy some vintage glass on Ebay.
 
I agree on getting alternative lenses... If on a tight budget I can recommend a cheap adapter plus a Konica Hexar AR 40mm/f1.8. I paid about six dollars for mine, and with a variable ND it is a fabulous tool for the money! Sigma's 19 and 30mm lenses are for sale cheaply now, because a jazzed up version has arrived. Also amazing quality for little money. With step-up rings they can share the ND filter...
 
ras815 said:
Hold on. You work on salary for a high end creative company doing video...but you use your personal camera, and in 5 years, you've only been able to buy a $700 camera + kit lens? Something doesn't make sense.

Well, anyway. If you're going to do more freelance client work, you should at least invest in more versatile lenses - like the $350 20mm f/1.7. Or even get a cheap adapter and buy some vintage glass on Ebay.
Click to expand...

I don't work for a high end creative company. I work for a local company that does work for mom and pop shops to fortune 500 companies. I don't shoot national TV spots or anything like that. The company I work does mostly web media and video is often tacked on to website builds or internal web courses. They don't want to invest in higher end video gear. The last piece of video equipment they bought for us was an XHA1 five years ago and refused every other request we've made since then. Which is why I'm looking to do freelance work. My job is a steady paycheck, but it's not advancing my career at all.

My personal kit includes:
GH2 hacked with flowmotion
14-45mm Panasonic 3.5-5.6
28mm Minolta f3.5
45mm Minolta f2
Zoom H4N
Audio Technica 835B short shotgun
Boom mic stand
Manfrotto tripod with fluid head.
 
It looks to me like you have what you need. The thing to understand for serious work is that your gear doesn't matter, since you'll be renting whatever you might need anyway. A GH2 is the only camera I own right now, but I still hire myself out for stills shoots by renting proper cameras. I also hire out my entire crew by renting additional cameras and supports. I don't even own proper shoulder mounts or anything like that. Even if I did own it I'd be charging the client a fee to use it, so why not just tack it on as a real rental price? Of course that's not feasible for every job or every piece of equipment, but understanding rentals means that you aren't limited to your gear. If you need something else, get something else.

Now, I'm not going to give you a full marketing course right here, but the most important thing you need is an understanding of your market. Who are you selling to? Why do they need to hire you? What do you offer that no one else does? Who is your competition? What do they have that you don't, and how do you strategize to beat that advantage? What is your pricing strategy, and what kind of margins can you expect? It's unwise to go into business just because you want to; you need to fulfill a market need. With this information you can build a strategy. If you need a reel, find local charities and non profits that might want a web video up and shoot it for them. Spend six months volunteering and you'll build up an impressive reel, a list of contacts, serious community involvement and some helpful experience. And if you've already been stuck in this job for five years, six months should seem like nothing.

I don't know where you live, and all of the answers you need are specific to that and will need to be researched and understood. You should watch every reel for every company in your area to know what you need to do, and figure out how to out think all of them.

Unless you live near me, in which case you should ignore all of this and switch to VHS cassettes. They're the future of video.
 
Cassius said:
It looks to me like you have what you need. The thing to understand for serious work is that your gear doesn't matter, since you'll be renting whatever you might need anyway. A GH2 is the only camera I own right now, but I still hire myself out for stills shoots by renting proper cameras. I also hire out my entire crew by renting additional cameras and supports. I don't even own proper shoulder mounts or anything like that. Even if I did own it I'd be charging the client a fee to use it, so why not just tack it on as a real rental price? Of course that's not feasible for every job or every piece of equipment, but understanding rentals means that you aren't limited to your gear. If you need something else, get something else.

Now, I'm not going to give you a full marketing course right here, but the most important thing you need is an understanding of your market. Who are you selling to? Why do they need to hire you? What do you offer that no one else does? Who is your competition? What do they have that you don't, and how do you strategize to beat that advantage? What is your pricing strategy, and what kind of margins can you expect? It's unwise to go into business just because you want to; you need to fulfill a market need. With this information you can build a strategy. If you need a reel, find local charities and non profits that might want a web video up and shoot it for them. Spend six months volunteering and you'll build up an impressive reel, a list of contacts, serious community involvement and some helpful experience. And if you've already been stuck in this job for five years, six months should seem like nothing.

I don't know where you live, and all of the answers you need are specific to that and will need to be researched and understood. You should watch every reel for every company in your area to know what you need to do, and figure out how to out think all of them.

Unless you live near me, in which case you should ignore all of this and switch to VHS cassettes. They're the future of video.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your advice. Very sound advice. Have no fears I'm on the other side of the country. :)
 
roxics said:
I don't work for a high end creative company. I work for a local company that does work for mom and pop shops to fortune 500 companies. I don't shoot national TV spots or anything like that. The company I work does mostly web media and video is often tacked on to website builds or internal web courses. They don't want to invest in higher end video gear. The last piece of video equipment they bought for us was an XHA1 five years ago and refused every other request we've made since then. Which is why I'm looking to do freelance work. My job is a steady paycheck, but it's not advancing my career at all.

My personal kit includes:
GH2 hacked with flowmotion
14-45mm Panasonic 3.5-5.6
28mm Minolta f3.5
45mm Minolta f2
Zoom H4N
Audio Technica 835B short shotgun
Boom mic stand
Manfrotto tripod with fluid head.
Click to expand...

FWIW, I don't think that a company can legally prevent you from showing samples of work that you've done while in their employ. It's their intellectual property, but to deny placement in your portfolio is essentially hindering your ability to find work. My brother's a lawyer and told me this years ago. I'd double check with a lawyer if possible, and of course use common sense with sensitive information.
 
john flores said:
FWIW, I don't think that a company can legally prevent you from showing samples of work that you've done while in their employ. It's their intellectual property, but to deny placement in your portfolio is essentially hindering your ability to find work. My brother's a lawyer and told me this years ago. I'd double check with a lawyer if possible, and of course use common sense with sensitive information.
Click to expand...

If you've signed a contract to this affect, then it will be legally binding.
 
Fresno Bob said:
If you've signed a contract to this affect, then it will be legally binding.
Click to expand...

This. I'm no lawyer, but it usually comes down to the employer having complete ownership of whatever you film while you're employed there.

About the GH2, there's nothing wrong with its size. It's actually a great ice breaker, as clients LOVE to talk about how crazy it is that these cameras have gotten so small. I'd be willing to bet it makes them more impressed with the final outcome.
 
I think I may have some good news for you.
Depending where you are, I'm sure the law will support your right to make a reel of work you have done for this company if this company has expected you to use your own kit to shoot the work. It would be different if they had supplied the kit themselves.
In any case, if using their work for a reel presents a problem to them, then you are right to be looking for new options.
In analog photography, he who paid for the film owned the images.
 
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