HOW TO HIRE · PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO

How to hire a videographer in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

Videographers need no licence in the UK. Here is who owns the film, what the licence must say, and what to ask before you book a day.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a videographer in five steps

  1. Write a one-page briefWhat the film is for, where it will be shown, how long, and the deadline.
  2. See a finished film like yoursA full piece in the same style — interview, promo, documentary — not a reel.
  3. Agree the deliverablesLengths, formats, versions for each platform, subtitles, rounds of changes.
  4. Get the licence in writingWhere and how long you may use the film, and whether the copyright is assigned.
  5. Get releases from people on cameraAnyone identifiable in a published film should agree in writing.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

Filming for businesses and individuals is open to anyone in all four UK nations — there is no videographers' register. The checks are finished work in your style, references, and a written brief and contract. No law requires a videographer to hold insurance, but locations and venues often require public liability cover, and filming on someone else's property needs their permission.

Ask for two complete films like the one you want and a client to ring. Ask for the certificate, and who is arranging each location.

Copyright and your licence

For a film, section 9 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 makes the producer and principal director its authors, and section 11 makes the author the first owner — so the videographer owns the copyright in your film and footage. Section 90 means it moves to you only in a signed written assignment; without one you hold a licence.

Read the licence clause: can you use the film in adverts, cut new versions, keep the raw footage? If you need to own the copyright, ask for it to be assigned in writing. legislation.gov.uk →

Music and other people's material (copyright)

Section 20 of the 1988 Act restricts communicating a copyright work to the public, which includes putting it online. Music, stock footage and logos in your film all need a licence for the use you plan.

Ask the videographer to list every licensed element and the terms. legislation.gov.uk →

ICO data protection fee

A videographer keeps your contact details and footage of the people who appear in it, which is personal data. A business or sole trader processing personal data must pay the ICO data protection fee — £52 or £78 a year for most small businesses — unless exempt, and is then listed on the ICO's public register.

Search the business name on the ICO register and ask how long the files are kept. gov.uk →

VAT

Filming and editing a video is standard-rated: VAT at 20% applies to the shoot day, the edit and the licence. Over the £90,000 registration threshold a trader has to charge VAT and show it separately, next to its VAT number.

Ask for the VAT number, and see the filming day, the editing and the 20% VAT on separate lines. gov.uk →

“Can I see a complete video you made in this style?”

A good answer: A whole finished piece, with the brief the videographer was answering.

“What is included in your videographer day rate?”

A good answer: Hours, crew, kit, travel, and whether editing is separate.

“How many rounds of changes to the video are included?”

A good answer: A number, and the price of extra rounds.

“What licence do I get to use the film, and for how long?”

A good answer: A written licence matching your use; an assignment of copyright if you need to own it.

“Is the music licensed for how we will publish the film?”

A good answer: A named library and licence terms that cover your channels.

“Who will get releases from the people in the video?”

A good answer: The videographer brings release forms, or agrees that you will.

“Do you carry public liability insurance for the locations?”

A good answer: A certificate in the videographer's trading name, at the level the location asks for.

Getting the quote right

  • Who actually attends the filming day — the videographer you met, each camera or sound operator, employed or subcontracted
  • Filming days or hours, crew size and kit
  • Editing priced separately, with rounds of changes stated
  • Deliverables: lengths, formats, platform versions, subtitles
  • Music and stock licences, and your licence to use the film
  • Travel and location costs as separate lines
  • Deposit and balance terms
  • The VAT number, with VAT on the filming and the edit as a separate line

Walk away if

  • Only a showreel, never a full film
  • Unlimited changes promised for a fixed low price, with nothing in writing
  • Unlicensed music for a film you will publish
  • No licence clause at all
  • Vague on who owns the raw footage
  • No insurance where a location requires it
LOW
£427
TYPICAL
£690
HIGH
£900

What a videographer costs: £427–£900 per day

Videographers price by the filming day, with editing, extra versions, licensed music and travel added as separate lines. Videographer price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Videographers near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you.

  1. Brief and planPurpose, audience, script or questions, shot list, schedule.
  2. Pre-productionLocations booked, permissions in writing, releases ready, kit checked.
  3. FilmingSound checked first, coverage to the shot list, backups during the day.
  4. EditingA first cut, your changes within the rounds agreed, licensed music.
  5. DeliveryFinal files in the formats agreed, with the licence in writing.

Day rate
The price for a day's filming, usually with kit and crew stated.
First cut
The first full edit, for your comments.
Rounds of amends
The number of change requests included.
Release form
Written consent from a person to appear in a published film.
Masters
The final high-quality files of the finished film.
Stock footage
Bought-in clips used under a licence.

AFTER

When the job is done

Archive the mastersDownload the final files and keep two copies, with the licence terms.
Check against the briefLengths, versions, captions and every agreed change.
Keep the releasesSigned releases from people on camera, in case anyone asks later.
Leave the reviewReviews on Locufy come only from booked jobs, so yours about the film counts. If something was wrong, the make-it-right step comes first and the videographer is asked to fix it.

STEP 1Tell the videographer, in writingSet out what went wrong with the film and what you want done, by message or email. Section 49 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires a trader to use reasonable care and skill; where the film fell short, ask for it to be done again at their cost, or for money off.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyRate the videographer under four stars and you are asked whether to send the problem to them first; we follow it through. Then the review goes up.
STEP 3Trading Standards, through the helplineNobody regulates videographers, so if a dispute over the film stalls, Trading Standards is reached through Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 in England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 800 9060, or Consumerline on 0300 123 6262 in Northern Ireland.
STEP 4Money still in disputeA claim against a videographer for a refund or the cost of putting things right can go to small claims: up to £10,000 on the county court small claims track in England and Wales, up to £5,000 under simple procedure in Scotland, and up to £5,000 in the small claims court in Northern Ireland.

Hiring a videographer: questions people ask

Videography needs no licence anywhere in the UK.

The videographer, under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, unless they assign it to you in writing. Check what your licence lets you do.

Yes, if the film will be published. Ask for licensed music and the licence terms.

£427 to £900 a day, typically around £690. Crew, kit and editing move the price. Day rates, with editing and kit, are in the videographer price guide; enter your town above for videographers near you.

Yes. It is where the deliverables, the licence, the changes and the dates are fixed; the Consumer Rights Act 2015 duty of reasonable care and skill sits behind it.

Raise it in writing against the brief. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 lets you require the work to be redone or a price reduction.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in photography & video

How to hire: Video EditorHow to hire: Event VideographerHow to hire: Wedding VideographerHow to hire: Drone VideographyHow to hire: Live Streaming ServiceHow to hire: Product PhotographerHow to hire: Headshot PhotographerHow to hire: Event PhotographerAll 701 hiring guides →

Videographers near you

Videographers in LondonVideographers in ManchesterVideographers in BirminghamVideographers in GlasgowVideographers in BelfastAll videographers on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 9 — authorship (films: producer and principal director)
  2. Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 11 — first ownership
  3. Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 90 — assignment
  4. Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 20 — communication to the public
  5. gov.uk — pay the data protection fee
  6. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  7. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 55 — repeat performance
  8. Citizens Advice — more help with a consumer issue
  9. gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
  10. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  11. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register