Videographers shoot and often edit video for businesses, events, agencies, and individuals. Typical invoices cover corporate videos, event coverage, wedding films, promo and social content, and interview shoots. Many are solo operators who bill for their time, their gear, and post-production separately.
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Most videographers price in one of three ways: a day rate or half-day rate for shooting, an hourly rate for editing and smaller jobs, or a flat project fee for a defined deliverable such as a 60-second brand video. Day rates usually cover the operator plus a base camera kit, with extras like second shooters, drones, lighting packages, wireless mics, and teleprompters billed as add-ons. Editing is billed hourly or folded into a package, and the number of revision rounds is usually capped. Wedding and event work is often sold in packages by coverage hours. Pass-through costs such as music licensing, stock footage, travel, permits, and location fees are billed at cost or with a small markup. Usage rights matter for commercial work, and some videographers charge more when a client wants broadcast use, paid ads, or full ownership of raw footage.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate or commercial shoot (one operator, base kit) | per day (8-10 hrs) | $800-2,500 |
| Half-day shoot | per half day (up to 4 hrs) | $450-1,300 |
| Video editing and post-production | per hour | $50-125 |
| Event coverage (conference, party, performance) | per hour | $100-250 |
| Wedding film package (6-8 hrs coverage, highlight film) | flat fee | $2,000-5,500 |
| Second shooter or camera assistant | per day | $250-700 |
| Drone footage (licensed pilot) | per day or add-on | $300-900 |
| Short promo or social video (30-90 seconds, shot and edited) | flat fee | $750-3,500 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand video shoot day at client office and showroom (1 operator, camera, lighting, wireless mics) | 1 day | $1,600.00 | $1,600.00 |
| Second shooter / B-roll camera | 1 day | $450.00 | $450.00 |
| Post-production: edit of 90-second brand video with color grade and audio mix (includes 2 revision rounds) | 14 hours | $75.00 | $1,050.00 |
| Additional revision round (round 3) | 2 hours | $75.00 | $150.00 |
| Licensed music track (commercial use, web and social) | 1 license | $79.00 | $79.00 |
| Mileage to and from shoot location | 86 miles | $0.70 | $60.20 |
| Total | $3,389.20 | ||
Notes: Shoot date: May 14. Final video delivered as 4K MP4 plus 1080p social cuts via download link. Payment due within 15 days of invoice date. A 50% deposit of $1,650 was received on April 30 and is credited on this invoice. Late balances accrue 1.5% interest per month. Raw footage is not included unless agreed in writing.
Ties each charge to a specific day on set and settles questions about how long you worked.
Shows the client what the day rate includes and justifies add-ons like a second shooter, drone, or lighting kit.
Documents how many rounds were included and which were extra, so charges for added revisions are not disputed.
Lists the final length, resolution, and versions delivered (for example 4K master and vertical cuts) so the client confirms they received what was agreed.
States where and for how long the video can be used, and whether raw footage is included. This prevents later disputes about ownership or reuse.
These are real out-of-pocket expenses. Listing them separately keeps your rate clean and makes reimbursement clear.
Shows the booking deposit as a credit so the client sees the remaining amount and the due date.
Most videographers take a deposit of 25-50% to hold the date, since a booked shoot day turns away other work. For larger projects, a common split is a deposit at booking, a second payment at the shoot or rough cut, and the balance before final files are released. Net 15 or net 30 is typical for businesses, while wedding and individual clients usually pay in full before or shortly after delivery. Late fees of 1-1.5% per month are common if stated in your contract. Many videographers hold final high-resolution files until the balance is paid, and send a watermarked or low-resolution preview in the meantime. Payment is usually accepted by bank transfer, ACH, check, or card, and agencies may require a W-9 and a PO number before they pay.
Scouting, gear prep, travel, and offloading and backing up footage take real hours. Build them into your day rate or list them as line items, since billing only for time on camera undercuts you.
State the number of included revision rounds on the quote and invoice, and the hourly rate for extras. Open-ended editing is the most common way a fixed fee turns into unpaid work.
Deliver a watermarked or low-resolution review copy first and release the full-quality files once the balance clears. This is standard and keeps leverage on your side.
Day rates and hourly editing rates reflect different work. Showing them separately makes your pricing easier to understand and helps when scope changes.
Spell out a fee for late cancellations or weather reschedules of outdoor shoots. A day blocked off for a client is income you cannot recover if you do not charge for it.
For shooting, most videographers use a half-day or full-day rate, because setup, travel, and breakdown make short hourly bookings unprofitable. Hourly works better for editing, small add-on tasks, and event coverage where the hours are clear. Many set a minimum booking, such as 3 or 4 hours.
Often yes. Raw footage lets the client or someone else re-edit your work, and it removes a future editing sale. Some videographers charge 25-100% more for raw files, or only release them under a separate agreement. State whether raw footage is included on the quote and invoice.
It is a good idea, especially for commercial work. A short line stating the permitted use, such as web and social media for 2 years, protects you and sets expectations. The full terms should be in your contract, and the invoice can reference them.
List licensed music, stock clips, and similar costs as separate line items at your cost, or with a modest markup if you handle the licensing. Make sure the license you buy covers the client's intended use, such as paid ads or broadcast, which often costs more than a personal or web license.
It depends on the state. Some states tax digital products or certain production services and others do not. Check with your state's tax agency or an accountant, and if you do collect sales tax, show it as a separate line on the invoice.
Send a Videographer estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Videographer estimate template