Director of Photography vs. Videographer

A couple of years ago, I made the decision to start calling myself a Director of Photography instead of a Videographer. I still work as both, and in many cases, the two terms overlap. But in my experience, there is a key difference.

To me, a Director of Photography is someone who takes the time to craft an image. This includes using lighting, composition, and camera movement to shape the way a shot looks and feels. A Videographer, on the other hand, is someone who captures what is already happening, often with minimal control over the environment.

I consider myself a Director of Photography when I’m working on projects that require careful setup. In commercial shoots or documentary interviews, I spend time selecting the right frame, adjusting background elements, and shaping light to create a polished, intentional image. A Director of Photography needs a deep understanding of lighting and how to use it to elevate the final result. This includes understanding contrast ratios, which refers to the balance between the key light and fill light on a subject’s face, as well as the brightness difference between the subject and the background. These choices have a major impact on how an interview subject or actor is perceived by the audience, and they are a fundamental part of the DP’s role.

That said, I also do plenty of work as a Videographer. When I’m shooting run and gun B-roll or filming a live event, I’m usually working quickly with a minimal setup. I might be running around with a gimbal, trying to capture as much usable footage as I can while things unfold in real time. There’s still skill involved, but the approach is very different.

I’ve noticed that a lot of people who call themselves Directors of Photography are really doing more videography work, just under a fancier title. At the same time, the word “Videographer” can carry a certain stigma, often associated with wedding videos or lower-budget event coverage. Lately, I’ve seen the title “Commercial Videographer” being used, which I think does a better job of describing the type of work many of us are doing.

At the end of the day, I use both titles depending on the context. But I think it’s important to understand the difference between simply documenting what’s happening and intentionally crafting what the viewer sees. That distinction matters, especially when you’re working in a visual medium.