The Real Business of Freelance Media:

15 Years of Hard-Won Lessons

Guest insights from Craig Charters, Adventure Media alumni.

The 25/75 Rule Nobody Tells You

After 15 years running a profitable media business, here's the brutal truth: I've watched incredibly talented videographers and photographers fail—people far more skilled than me—because they thought creative ability alone would carry them.

Success in this industry is 25% being good at your craft and 75% being skilled in business acumen. You need to master marketing, sales, client management, and financial planning just as much as your camera skills.

What to Actually Charge

Let's talk real numbers because undervaluing yourself kills businesses.

My current rates:

• Pre-production/Planning: £350-500/day

• Production (shooting): £1,500/day

• Post-production: Similar rates

Never do half-days or hourly rates. Even a one-hour shoot consumes your entire day with prep, travel, setup, breakdown, and data management.

Extended hours? Charge time and a half for 7.5- to 10-hour days, double time for all hours beyond that.

The Sobering Math

From every £1,000 profit after expenses:

• 40% income tax

• 10% National Insurance

• 15% student loan repayments

• 7% pension contributions

You keep roughly £272.50 from every £1,000 earned. This is why proper pricing matters.

The 25/75 Rule Nobody Tells You

After 15 years running a profitable media business, here's the brutal truth: I've watched incredibly talented videographers and photographers fail—people far more skilled than me—because they thought creative ability alone would carry them.

Success in this industry is 25% being good at your craft and 75% being skilled in business acumen. You need to master marketing, sales, client management, and financial planning just as much as your camera skills.

What to Actually Charge

Let's talk real numbers because undervaluing yourself kills businesses.

My current rates:

• Pre-production/Planning: £350-500/day

• Production (shooting): £1,500/day

• Post-production: Similar rates

Never do half-days or hourly rates. Even a one-hour shoot consumes your entire day with prep, travel, setup, breakdown, and data management.

Extended hours? Charge time and a half for 7.5- to 10-hour days, double time for all hours beyond that.

The Sobering Math

From every £1,000 profit after expenses:

• 40% income tax

• 10% National Insurance

• 15% student loan repayments

• 7% pension contributions

You keep roughly £272.50 from every £1,000 earned. This is why proper pricing matters.