Before you book a videographer, get clear answers on what you will receive, who will turn up, how many changes you can ask for, who can use the footage, and what happens to your money if plans change. Get those answers in writing, in a contract. Below are the questions worth asking any supplier, with Aligned Vision’s own answers from our help centre and service pages as a worked example.
1. What exactly will I receive, and in what format?
Ask for a list of every file you will get, the length of each video, the resolution and how it will be delivered. “A video of the event” can mean a 2 minute edit or a 2 hour recording.
Our answers:
- Music videos are delivered as H.264 MP4 files at 1080p or 4K, optimised for YouTube, Apple Music, Tidal and social platforms. ProRes master files are available on request, for label distribution or future re-edits.
- Event coverage, according to our help centre, can include a full event film of 5 to 20 minutes, a highlights reel of 1 to 3 minutes and short vertical clips, depending on the package.
- Content creation files come through a private Google Drive or WeTransfer link, organised by platform and format.
2. How long until I get it?
If you have a release date, a launch or a funding report due, the turnaround matters as much as the price. Our service pages and help centre give these times:
- music videos: our music video package lists a 7 day turnaround, and our help centre counts the 7 days from the final shoot day and says rush delivery in 1 to 3 days is available as a paid option
- event deliverables: 7 to 10 business days, by private download link
- content shoots: photos in 3 to 5 business days and video in 5 to 7 business days
- live streams: the Broadcast Stream package includes a full event recording and a highlight edit of 2 to 3 minutes, and our help centre says both are delivered within 5 business days
3. How many crew, and for how many hours?
The number of people filming decides how many angles you get. The hours decide whether the start and end of your event are covered. Check both against your running order.
Our event coverage and live streaming pages list the crew and hours for each package, and our music video package includes an 8 hour production day. For example, our event coverage packages run from four hours with one camera operator at £450 to full day coverage with a three camera team at £1500. Our post on event videography prices goes through all three. For music videos, see how much a music video costs in the UK.
4. How many rounds of changes are included?
Ask how many revision rounds the price includes, how you send feedback and what extra rounds cost.
Our music video package includes 2 rounds of edit revisions. Each round is based on consolidated feedback sent through our revision form. Further rounds are £150 each.
Collect everyone’s comments into one list before you send them. If several people send separate notes, both rounds can go quickly.
5. Who owns the footage, and where can I use it?
Ask whether you can use the footage in adverts, on broadcast and on every platform, and whether the videographer can show it publicly.
For event coverage, our help centre says all delivered footage comes with full commercial usage rights for online platforms, broadcast and promotional use. Aligned Vision keeps the right to include the project in its portfolio, unless a confidentiality agreement is signed at booking. If your event or project is private, ask for this at the start.
Before you book, look at the supplier’s past work as well. Ours is on our portfolio page.
6. What deposit do you need, and how can I pay?
Ask how much secures the date, when the balance is due and which payment methods are accepted.
Our terms:
- a 50% deposit confirms your shoot date
- the other 50% is due 48 hours before the shoot
- we accept bank transfer (BACS), PayPal and major debit and credit cards through Stripe
- retainer clients are invoiced at the start of each month
Our £750 music video package can be split into three interest-free instalments on request. For larger projects, flexible payment can be discussed case by case on the discovery call.
7. What happens if plans change?
Ask this before you pay anything. Find out what you get back if you cancel, what it costs to move the date, and what happens if the videographer cancels.
Our policy:
- You cancel more than 14 days before the shoot: your deposit is refunded, minus a £50 admin fee.
- You cancel within 14 days: the deposit is forfeited.
- You move the date: one free reschedule is allowed with at least 7 days’ notice. Rescheduling within 7 days costs £100, because crew and equipment will already be confirmed.
- Aligned Vision cancels: you get a full refund straight away.
8. Is there a contract?
If the answer is no, don’t book. A contract protects both sides and puts the answers to the other questions on this list in writing.
Every Aligned Vision project comes with a service agreement covering scope, deliverables, timelines, usage rights and payment terms. Contracts are sent digitally and signed through DocuSign. The quote and contract follow within 48 hours of the discovery call.
9. What do you need from us?
A good videographer will ask you questions too. Expect to be asked for a running order, a list of key moments, contacts at the venue and any people or areas that should not be filmed.
For live streams, our help centre recommends booking at least 2 to 4 weeks ahead, and 6 to 8 weeks for large events such as festivals or award shows. Our post on what you need to live stream a church service covers the technical side.
Ask us
You can put any of these questions to us before you commit. Email info@alignedvisionmedia.co.uk or use the form on our contact page. Our help centre says the team usually replies within a few hours on business days.
