Let’s Talk: Hybrid Shooting - Photo/video

These days, both photography and video are in high demand. There are many of us popping up who have the skillsets for both. However, it’s one thing being hired on one shoot as a photographer and being hired on another as a videographer. It’s another thing entirely being hired to do both on one shoot as one person.

So the question is

“is it possible to do both
on the same shoot?”

The answer isn’t a simple yes or no…

“It really depends
on the shoot”

Video and photo in the professional world are two different disciplines - while similar, there is a difference in thought process, settings and equipment.

Doing both where there is time pressure (especially something like an event) has too much margin for error.

Hiring someone who does both video and photography can sound like a good way of cutting costs but it can vastly increase the likelihood of disappointment and project failure.

The bigger questions to ask are;

“What is the result you need?”
“How important is it that the full outcome is met?”

If you need quality results with no compromise, then you will need to invest in that and trust the provider knows what is required to produce it.

There is often a lack of understanding of the production process (whether big or small) and what goes on behind the scenes. A good shot doesn’t start with the click of camera shutter or record button, it starts in the hours, days, months, even years before - in the planning.

A £30k project isn’t £30k profit - the margins aren’t as big as people often think when the quote comes though for a project and the creative process is often a fragile one made even more fragile on shoe string budgets.

In the last 12 months, I have been pressure testing my skills by doing both photo and video on some shoots. In many cases, I have done more than I thought was possible. However, I have found myself completely overwhelmed in some instances and the final results have suffered.

This has allowed me to identify what is realistic for different types of shoots and gives me clear experience to advise what I need to carry out my work. Some shoots may only need one person but some may require a large crew. Everyone will have a role and be there for a reason with the goal to be delivering the expected results.