How to Become a Videographer

Everything you need to know to get started shooting video

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Have you been thinking about getting into video but have no idea where to start? Perfect, you’re in the right spot. I remember exactly what it felt like to want this and feel completely lost, so this one’s for you.

A quick bit about me

I came up producing and directing for TV, and I always loved the storytelling and the shooting most of all. I’d borrow my DP’s camera (that’s Director of Photography) to grab a few shots of my own. I had all these ideas for how I wanted to shoot something, but the technical side of video scared me.

Eventually my ideas were so clear in my head and so lost in translation with the DPs and editors that I knew something had to change. I had to teach myself to shoot and edit. So what was I actually scared of? If they could do it, I could do it.

That’s where it started. I was determined to teach myself everything, and yes, that takes patience and a whole lot of questions. I wanted to produce, direct, shoot, and edit all my own work. So I went out and shot. A lot. Because if you sit around thinking about shooting and never actually shoot, you’re doing yourself a huge disservice.

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How to shoot video that doesn’t suck

Practice. Then practice more. It’s the only way to learn and the only way to get better. I don’t care what camera you have, it means nothing if you don’t know how to use it.

These days I do all of it: direct, produce, shoot, and edit. On bigger projects I bring on a second DP and always a drone operator. I travel all over the country shooting everything from lifestyle (my favorite) to corporate and everything in between. Now that you know a little about me, let’s talk about you.

Start at the beginning

Before gear, before anything, get honest about your why:

Why do you want to do this?

What is it about telling stories that pulls you in?

What do you actually want to get out of becoming a videographer?

Your answers shape everything else, so don’t skip them.

Gear: what camera should I buy?

This is the question that never stops changing, so let me save you a year of your life: there is no perfect camera. There never will be. Cameras update constantly, often through firmware you download as it comes. I waited way too long chasing the “right” one. Just buy a camera and get to work.

Canon is my all-time favorite. I love the color science, and the menus are easy to navigate. My current kit is the Canon R6 Mark II, the R5 Mark II, and the Canon C70, with an R6 Mark III on the way. My favorite lens right now is the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM.

Here’s what I looked for in a camera, and what I’d tell you to look for too:

Mirrorless: lighter and easier to handhold for long stretches. I shoot a ton of handheld.

4K at 60fps: high quality, and gorgeous in slow motion.

At least 1080 at 120fps: super slow-mo, amazing for lifestyle.

Dual card slots: record to two cards at once so you’ve got a backup on site.

IBIS (in-body image stabilization): a must for me. Without it, all that free-flowing handheld footage looks shaky.

Run and gun: I love a built-out rig, but on site I rarely have time to build one. I want to grab the camera and go. Light and portable wins.

10-bit 4:2:2: better quality footage than 8-bit.

C-Log: Canon’s high dynamic range profile. I color grade everything in post.

Manual settings: non-negotiable. Auto is fine to start, but learn the exposure triangle and shoot manual so you’re in charge of every situation, not just hoping it works out.

Editing

I edit everything in Adobe Premiere Pro and use the full Adobe Creative Cloud for video and photo. I also edit in Lightroom Classic for photos, and it’s been a game-changer.

Tips for new videographers

One of the fastest ways to start is to get hired as an assistant so you can learn from a pro. And yes, you can get paid to assist. Try to work on as many types of shoots as you can. It builds your skills across the board and helps you figure out what you actually love to shoot. Lifestyle, corporate, weddings, real estate, there’s so much out there.

Also offer to second shoot. There are tons of jobs, weddings especially, where I bring on a second shooter because there’s so much to capture in such a short window. It’s one of the best ways to get real reps on a real day.

Post-production essentials

You’ve got beautiful footage. Now what?

SD cards: I use ProGrade v60 256GB.

Back up, back up, back up. If you’ve got a big project sitting on a few tiny SD cards, back everything up three or more times right away. I store it all on external SSDs (solid-state, so there’s no spinning disk to damage). My favorite is the Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TB. Once the final is edited and delivered, one or two copies is plenty.

A computer that can handle big files. Video files are huge. I’m on a MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1 Pro, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD).

An external monitor: I use the LG 27-inch UltraFine 5K.

Editing software: Adobe Creative Cloud for everything, including Premiere Pro for video, plus Lightroom Classic for photos.

Once clients start booking you, get organized early. I run my bookings, contracts, and invoices through HoneyBook, and I deliver final galleries through Pic-Time.

And when you’re ready to build a site to show off your work, I made mine on Showit and haven’t looked back.

The real secret

Knowledge is power, and it’s true. So go get it. Ask the questions, watch the tutorials, and most of all, go shoot. You don’t need permission, and you don’t need perfect gear. You just need to pick up the camera and not put it down.