Everyone at some point questions their decisions, career choices and The Dream. As a young videographer I already know what the advantages and disadvantages of this profession are. These are probably similar to the ones photographers would express, but I'd like to hear that from them.

Pros

1. Getting to film some really interesting events.

I am not specialised in any type of events yet, therefore I get opportunities to work with different clients. It may be a Performance School, which needs to have a musical filmed, or a BMW enthusiasts club, organising a drifting championship. I, personally, never thought I would enjoy drifting at all, but I was wrong! I screamed and shouted, loved the adrenalin and now know what a burnout is! :-) If not my job, I don't think I'd get those opportunities.

2. Meeting other videographers and photographers.

And it's not all about networking and benefits, which it brings. I just really appreciate meeting like-minded people, who are working for the same reason - to make sure the client is happy with the result. Often happens that photographers I meet become my friends and even more often we start to meet at different events without planning it. It is always nice to work with someone, who will not block the shot and will not purposely disturb videographer. Team-work is crucial, even we are not in the same team. And generally, photographers are interesting to talk to and have many stories to tell!

3. Travelling.

Well, I am not that big yet to travel the world working, but, locally, I am travelling. My office is my bedroom but when I am out shooting, it can be anywhere really. I have always filmed in England, but some really nice videographers took me with them to France to film a wedding. That was awesome and I'd love to do it again. And after Brexit world seems big and I am just repeating to myself how lucky I am to work in the industry which is needed anywhere in the world!

4. Rewarding Experience.

I swear when I edit. Because editing is a constant problem solving. BUT when it is done, and the client gives feedback with no corrections, I get a feeling of accomplishment. This is what I work for, this is what I enjoy - knowing, that my work has made someone else's mood better or will be enjoyed for many years to come. And generally, I think people, naturally love the feeling of completion. I get that every time a video is finished.

5. Lots of room for improvement.

There are no limits to the technique both of camera operation and editing. Every shoot is making me a better videographer. We are given the location, the objects, the story. We need to work with that and make it all look its best. There is no way to become worse with every single shoot. And it is tough, yes. The more you learn, the more things need to be learnt (as happens with every profession I think).

Cons

1. It's hard!

Being a videographer means that your body works very hard. Many of my colleagues exercise daily, swim, eat healthy food, do jogging or yoga etc. And there's a reason for that - if you're not fit, it will show in the footage. I am skinny, don't have much muscle. The equipment is heavy and long hours don't help. So I need time to recover after some shoots. Now I am working on a new diet to gain more weight and exercise to improve my stamina. I also have a bad posture which I need to fix as soon as possible. My body is what makes me a videographer, so I must take care of it!

2. Long hours.

Depending on the events I am shooting, long working hours can get very tough. In the end of a really long day (mostly shooting weddings), you become tired and the shots get less creative/interesting.

3. Difficult clients.

There are many memes and communities on Facebook that parody graphic design, photography or videography clients. Some clients are just really difficult to work with. I didn't have that many so far, but what all videographers share is the ability to compromise and to explain. We need to educate our clients the same way they teach us. I believe it's a mutual relationship and it's a must master it. I'll write another post on some funny requests I heard about in the future.

4. Expensive equipment.

The equipment is truly expensive. I don't have much of my own kit. My colleagues borrow the kit or I rent it. The camera I use is Canon C100 and it itself costs $2500 and it's one of the cheapest DSLR cameras available of similar specification. Then what you need is a set of lenses. One zoom lens such as 70-200mm costs $2000. And then there's a tripod, slider, monopod. If you have lights, it means you're rich! :-) If you ever book a videographer, the price he/she would give to you probably wouldn't even include the price for the kit or its insurance. Although, I think it should.

I was thinking of a fifth disadvantage just to balance pros and cons, but I cannot find any! In result, we've got 5 pros and 4 cons. Maybe that is why I actually am a videographer!

I hope you found this little list interesting,

All the best,

Greta