Every platform—from social media to YouTube to streaming services—prioritizes video content, and for good reason: last year, video was projected to account for 82% of all internet traffic.

As a podcaster, vlogger, or digital content creator, it’s natural to consider expanding into videography.

Mastering high-quality video production is an invaluable skill, whether creating corporate branding videos, working as a wedding videographer, or producing content for your YouTube channel. Explore this guide to understand videography's purpose, its various forms, and essential tips for becoming a successful videographer.

What Is Videography?

Videography involves the digital capture, editing, and production of video content. Videographers use digital cameras and streaming devices to record various projects, such as concerts, news events, or podcasts and vlogs.

While videography shares similarities with cinematography, the two have distinct differences. Videography typically focuses on capturing live events with a spontaneous, guerrilla-style approach, whereas cinematography refers to highly produced projects involving a film crew and a script, often shot on film stock rather than digital devices.

What Is the Purpose of Videography?

Unlike the highly planned and produced nature of cinematography, videography’s purpose is to capture live events as they unfold. Videographers work at the moment, not only recording footage but also adjusting lighting and adding music or sound effects as needed.

Cinematographers usually work with larger crews and focus on artistic direction, while videography is about documenting events in real time, often by a solo videographer or a small team.

Does Videography Include Editing?

Videographers and video editors have distinct roles, though their work can overlap. A video editor focuses solely on compiling and refining raw footage into a finished product. In contrast, videographers are responsible for the entire video production process, which may include editing, depending on the project's scope and the size of the team.

What Are the Types of Videography?

The creative possibilities in videography are vast, but some common styles and categories are widely used today. One popular type is time-lapse videos, which compress hours or days of footage into just a few minutes, showing changes over time, such as clouds moving across the sky or a seedling growing into a tree.

Product Reviews

Consumers rely on reviews from real users before buying a product, which explains why video reviews on YouTube and social media are so popular