After many years of freelance work, I have compiled a checklist of videography tips for filming. Everything on this list comes from my own experience filming a wide range of content for clients in London, across the UK, and in Europe.
Freelance videography
Working as a freelance videographer brings a variety of responsibilities depending on the scope of each project. Depending on the scope of each commission, I might handle some or all of the creative aspects of a production. Staying adaptable and open to learning new skills is essential as techniques continue to evolve.
Freelance videography is an exciting and creatively fulfilling occupation but it can also be demanding in ways that are easy to underestimate. Most clients expect you to work quickly and efficiently in any new environment, often on your own. Capturing the best quality footage within any given budget is always the goal. Hopefully, these videography tips will help you navigate the varied expectations of both experienced and less experienced clients.
Consider your clients
Before any shoot, think about your client’s level of experience. They may be completely new to film or video production. If you feel unsure, ask about their technical knowledge or look into their background beforehand.
Clients with no previous production experience may need guidance on what is realistic for their project. Knowing this early lets you make allowances during filming and plan accordingly. On occasion, you may even find yourself offering them a few videography tips of your own.
Creative thinking time
Being commissioned well in advance of any filming date makes a real difference. Extra lead time lets me think through the project properly and develop ideas to discuss with my client. Thinking carefully about each production and staying dedicated to each individual commission, helps ensure the best outcome for everyone involved.
Packing kit
My preference is to pack my filming gear the evening before any shoot. Quiet, dedicated time helps me think through the specific requirements of each session and select the right items from my kit. Packing the night before also gives me time to check and test everything thoroughly. Clean lenses, clean sensors, and well-protected equipment mean I can set up quickly and confidently on arrival.
Consider potential challenges
Think carefully about the location, environment, and subjects before the shoot day. Always check the weather forecast in advance, whether you are filming indoors or outdoors, conditions can affect which kit you need to bring.
Over the years, I have filmed at many challenging locations. Some have required me to transport kit differently; others have meant bringing extra equipment for camera protection or to film safely. Health and safety for everyone on location always comes first.
Beyond kit logistics, consider what problems might arise on the day. Filming in a public environment, for instance, means managing the security of yourself and your equipment. Unexpected situations do come up. Being mentally prepared makes a big difference.
The correct kit for each shoot
When shooting with a DSLR-type camera, I always bring a spare body. Other essentials include alternative power options for all kit (including your phone), a pack of data cards, a selection of lenses, and audio equipment. For anything critical, like a radio microphone, pack a spare.
Every commission and location calls for a different kit configuration. Planning well in advance gives you time to hire or order anything you do not already own. On some shoots, I wear an equipment waistcoat to keep everything I need close to hand.
Equipment kitbags
As a solo videographer, transporting everything myself is part of the job, sometimes including multiple tripods, lights, and cameras. A good range of kitbags makes managing all of that much easier.
I use a large Kata Beetle 282 backpack (which I use on most shoots), a Peli Air 1615 and a Think Tank tripod bag. Both the Peli Air 1615 and the Think Tank tripod bag have large capacities and are on wheels, helping me manage everything I need. I also have separate cases for lighting and tripod bags. Sometimes I need to travel super light and use a small waterproof rucksack for everything I need.
Plan your travel
Arriving early is a personal rule I stick to on every shoot. Extra time at the start removes the stress of a rushed setup. Working across London means travel always needs planning. Delays can come from any direction, regardless of how you travel.
Whether driving, taking public transport, or getting a taxi, always check journey times on Google for your specific travel method and time of day. Review travel apps on the morning of the shoot and always have a backup plan ready.
Taking care of yourself
Your health and energy are your most valuable assets as a freelance videographer. Filming days can be intense. Clients often have a lot on their minds, so looking after your own wellbeing matters just as much as looking after your kit.
Try to get proper rest before a shoot day. Manage the weight of your kit carefully and think about how to transport and secure it safely on location. Pack a bottle of water and some energy bars. Lunch breaks are not always guaranteed. Sometimes you may need to gently push back on client expectations in a way that protects both your work and your well-being.
Location recce
For complex projects or unfamiliar locations, a recce is well worth the time. Visiting a site in advance often means meeting key people, such as a theatre technician, an AV team member, or a member of the production crew, which helps everything run more smoothly on the day.
Walking the site lets you identify the best filming positions, locate power sources, assess lighting conditions, check for potential variables, and evaluate safety. A recce also helps you agree a realistic timetable with your client and work out whether you need to hire in any additional kit. Taking a camera along lets you test lenses and angles before the shoot day itself.
Rehearsal filming
For complex live performances or theatrical productions, filming a dress rehearsal first is one of the most useful videography tips I can offer. Seeing the show before the actual performance lets you learn each participant’s movements, the timing of key actions, and how the lighting changes throughout.
That knowledge feeds directly back into the production. Sharing notes with other creatives who may have no filming experience helps optimise the show for camera. Planning multiple camera positions also becomes much more precise once you have watched a run-through and can write a proper shot list.
If you are planning on filming with multiple cameras, then watching a rehearsal can also help to finely adjust each camera position and select the best lens for each particular camera position. Recording a performance will enable you to review it and create a camera shot list for the actual performance.
Data protection
Always use fast, reliable cards from a trusted brand. SanDisk cards come with a lifetime guarantee, which has saved me on more than one occasion when a card developed a fault. Buying the fastest cards available also means they stay usable across camera upgrades as data rates increase.
Both my main cameras have dual SD card slots; wherever practical, I record to both simultaneously. At the end of each filming day, I copy everything to SSDs or to my edit station’s RAID 5 drives, then create a second clone on a separate drive. Only once I have two copies does the reformatting begin.
I hope you have found this list of videography tips for filming helpful. Do get in touch if you would like any help or advice with your own project. If you have any videography tips of your own, do let me know.
More tips for videographers
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