The smartest production decisions aren’t made on a spreadsheet—they’re made when you feel confident in the people behind the work. Price is usually the first question people ask when shopping for video or live event production. It’s also the wrong place to start.
Price matters. Of course it does. But comfort matters more.
When you buy a car, you can test-drive it, read reviews, compare specs, and drive it home the same day. Professional services don’t work that way. You’re buying judgment, creativity, and process—long before you see anything finished. Even the best proposal is still a promise.
That’s why the real question isn’t “How much does it cost?”
It’s “Do I trust these people to get this right?”
Skip the endless searches. Start with referrals. Ask colleagues and partners who they have worked with and would hire again. Referrals come with context, experience, and honesty—and they instantly cut through the noise.
You’re not building a vendor list. You’re building a short list of potential partners.
This seems obvious—and yet it’s often skipped.
Meet the people who will actually produce your project. Not just a sales deck. Not just over email. Real conversation will tell you a lot.
Do they listen more than they pitch?
Do they ask smart questions about your audience and your goals?
Do they explain their process in a way that makes sense?
If you can, visit their space. Culture shows up fast when you walk through the door. Creative or staid? Calm or Chaotic? Buttoned-up or free-flowing?
You’ll know pretty quickly if it feels right to you and your company. Remember, if it feels uncomfortable now, it won’t feel better mid-project.
Portfolios shouldn’t just impress you. They should spark conversation.
Does the work feel like a fit for your brand and audience?
Is there range, or does everything look the same?
Did anything make you lean forward, laugh, or say, “That’s interesting”?
Then ask why they made certain choices. The right partner can explain the thinking, not just show the visuals. Don’t see something that resonates? Let them know. This type of direct conversation can open doors and spark ideas or tell both sides there is not a viable partnership. Both outcomes are in everyone’s best interests.
There’s no single price for video or live events. Cost depends on goals, audience, scope, timeline, and how big of a splash you want to make.
Great partners will help you:
Clarify what matters
Scale ideas to your budget
Understand tradeoffs (and avoid surprises)
Price shouldn’t be a race to the bottom. It should be a shared decision, shaped by trust and transparency. Maybe you add a drone but drop the 2nd camera, since there is no one size fits all, and scalability is always strived for, each line item deserves discussion as it reflects on the creative direction and the bottom line.
The best projects don’t come from the cheapest bid.
They come from strong relationships, clear communication, and teams you trust when things change—because they always do.
So, before you ask about price, ask this:
“Do I feel comfortable with these people?”
If the answer is yes, you’re probably on the right track. And that’s where great work starts.