Kenelle
Light entrepreneurship for videographers
As a videographer, working as a light entrepreneur is simple: agree on the production with your client, do the work, and invoice through the Truster app without your own Business ID (Y-tunnus). Truster handles invoicing, withholding tax and reporting, and you get paid straight to your account. With HetiPalkka, your pay is deposited even before the invoice due date, which helps when payment terms between productions stretch out.
Typical videographer productions and pricing
Videographer assignments range from short social media clips to multi-day productions: company profiles and recruitment videos, wedding films, event coverage, music videos, training videos, and ongoing content production for companies' social media channels. Many videographers also subcontract for production companies and advertising agencies.
The most common pricing model is a project price covering pre-production, shooting days and editing. Shooting days are often priced by the day and editing by the hour or as a fixed part of the package. For ongoing social media production, a monthly package works well, where the client receives an agreed number of videos each month. Clearly define in the quote how many rounds of revisions are included in the price — it saves you from a lot of disagreements.
For larger projects, it makes sense to invoice in instalments: part when the agreement is made, part after filming, and the final part once the finished video is delivered. With Truster, you can create each partial invoice separately in just a few minutes.
Keep equipment and expenses under control in the app
Video production costs are often even higher than photography costs: cameras and lenses, gimbals and tripods, drones, microphones and audio recording equipment, lighting gear, editing software subscriptions, a powerful computer, plus hard drives and cloud storage. Add to that travel to filming locations and any equipment rentals for individual productions. Log your expenses and mileage in the Truster app, and they'll be automatically factored into your pay in line with tax authority guidelines.
If you shoot with a drone, make sure you meet the requirements for drone flying: up-to-date guidelines are available from Traficom. It's also worth checking your equipment insurance, since accidents happen on set.
How much do you take home?
Truster's service fee is 3.99% of invoicing or a flat 55 €/month, which suits those who invoice regularly. After the service fee, withholding tax is deducted from your pay according to your tax card. VAT is usually added to the invoice — the general rate is 25.5% — and the client pays it on top of the invoice. Work out your own numbers with our calculators at truster.com/laskurit.
Long payment terms are common in video production, especially with corporate clients. HetiPalkka pays your wages before the invoice due date, so your cash flow doesn't depend on your client's payment schedule.
You can see the status of every invoice in the app in real time, and if a client's payment is late, Maksuvahti sends reminders on your behalf for 1.99 €/invoice. Business clients can also receive the invoice as an e-invoice, which speeds up processing in larger organisations. All the invoices, wages and expenses for your productions stay in one view, so you keep the big picture even during a busy filming season.
Light entrepreneur or your own company for video production?
Light entrepreneurship is a sensible choice for a videographer when you have a few productions a month or work alongside a salaried job. You don't need to set up a company, hire a bookkeeper, or file VAT returns: Truster takes care of the admin, and you spend your time filming and editing. The account is free, so you can keep your invoicing ready even during quieter months.
Here's how to start: download the app, create an account, and create your first invoice once the production is delivered. Break the invoice down by parts of the work, such as shooting days and editing — this speeds up client approval. You log expenses and mileage in the same app, so nothing is left to memory.
As the number of productions grows and you start investing more heavily in equipment, you can consider setting up your own company. Until then, light entrepreneurship keeps risk and admin to a minimum, while your portfolio grows just the same.
Frequently asked questions
Does a videographer need a Business ID (Y-tunnus)?
You don't need one. As a light entrepreneur, you invoice through Truster without your own company, and Truster handles invoicing, taxes and reporting. This is especially suitable when you do productions as a side job or want to test entrepreneurship before setting up your own company.
How do I invoice a multi-stage video production?
Agree on payment instalments already in the quote: for example, an advance when the agreement is made, a second instalment after filming, and a final invoice on delivery. You create a separate invoice for each instalment in the Truster app. Instalment invoicing reduces your risk and smooths cash flow on long projects.
Who owns the rights to the filmed material?
Copyright is generally created for the maker, but in client productions the usage rights are agreed in the contract. Clearly state whether the client gets the material for all uses or only for agreed channels, and whether you can use the material yourself in your portfolio.
Can I deduct editing software and equipment as expenses?
Yes, work-related purchases such as software subscriptions, equipment, hard drives and equipment rentals are recorded as expenses in the Truster app. They're factored into your pay in line with tax authority guidelines, so keep your receipts and log them right away.
Start invoicing today
The account is free and comes with no obligations. You only pay when you invoice.