How to Find a Great Camera Crew Anywhere in the World
Tom & Trevor on a glacier in Alaska
If you’ve ever found yourself needing a camera crew in a place you haven’t filmed before, you know it can be scary.
You might get stuck with a grumpy DP, end up with bad footage, or both! You might get someone who shoots mostly weddings or indie horror films, and doesn’t know a thing about professional field production.
What you need is someone who can light interviews beautifully, communicate well on set, and represent your brand in front of a client.
I’ve been on both sides of this crew equation.
As a Denver-based DP, I’ve welcomed producers from all over the world. They find me through referrals, Google, or one of the crewing agencies listed below.
When those clients fly in, we’re not just the local crew — we’re their hosts. We do our best to represent Colorado well, and if they’ve got an extra day, we’ll even point them toward the best hikes, restaurants, and local spots.
But as a production company owner, I’ve also been the one searching for crews in other cities. Luckily, over time, we’ve built a strong referral network and learned what separates the solid pros from the risky hires.
I put together this guide to help producers and agencies find their perfect camera crews anywhere in the world — and avoid the costly mistakes that come with guessing.
First some terminology - The head of your crew (besides you) will be your Director of Photography - AKA DP, DoP, Camera(man/woman), Shooter, Videographer, etc.
For the purposes of this article, I’ll call them a DP.
Alright, let’s dig in!
Table of Contents
Evaluating your Crew Needs
To find the best possible crew for your project, you need to first assess your needs. Not all video camera crews are perfect for all projects.
Are you shooting a corporate video with interviews and b-roll, or a high-end commercial? Are you looking for a run-n-gun person to shoot handheld all day, or a DP who lights really well and takes her time with each shot?
Do you want someone with their own gear? For these kinds of shoots, most crews provide everything so that you just show up with your laptop and script. This makes flying easy. And ever since COVID, most of us even know how to set up remote shoots so you can conduct the interviews from home if you like. This requires an even higher level of trust in your crew, and you kinda miss out on all the fun!
What size team do you need?
The traditional camera crew for this kind of production is made up of a DP/Camera and Sound Mixer. The sound person also works as a grip - making for a very efficient, well-oiled machine. Add a gaffer or Utility PA and things really shine. Now the sound person can focus on audio, and the gaffer can work with the DP on lighting.
Sometimes on very simple shoots, especially those with lower budgets, the DP works alone and (gasp) does their own audio. Camera people with more news backgrounds are used to this, and some actually prefer it. You just need to allow more time as he or she has to set everything up and tear everything down and also be responsible for the audio. Maybe at least think about a PA or helper.
Big Pictures camera department shooting in Vermont
On larger shoots with more complicated set-ups, you might want a Camera Assistant, and a grip/electric team with a grip truck. Do you need a Hair and Makeup person? They can be worth their weight in gold to help make the subjects look great and also relax them before the shoot. Second or third camera operator?
Crew sizes can vary widely.
Once you find your perfect-fit DP, you can use him or her to help you figure out the ideal team based on your production, and find any other team members they like to work with. Most have a vast network of folks they can recommend.
Where are you shooting?
The town you’re shooting in might be hours from a major city, so you either have to find a good local crew, or build in travel time and expenses for the crew from the major city.
In Colorado, for example, many of the top crews are based in the Denver-Boulder metro area. But we shoot all over the state, and even surrounding states.
What about insurance?
Most fully-equipped professional camera crews have their own business and carry their own insurance. But don’t assume this.
Do you need your crew to carry worker’s comp, or are you paying them through payroll? What about equipment insurance, and general liability?
Usually the production company (you) handles the GL, but the crew should handle their own insurance and worker’s comp. If you’re not sure, just ask to see their certificates of insurance.
Budgeting for a Professional Crew
No one likes to talk about rates, but I think it’s a useful thing to bring up in the context of looking for crew.
Here’s my experience with rates for professional camera crew in the United States. In Colorado these day rates are based on a 10-hour or less day, with overtime after 10 hours. Some crews will do half days (5 hours or less portal to portal), which is usually 2/3 the full day rate.
DP with a Camera and Lighting Package ~ $2,000/day.
Range is $1850 - $2500 depending on experience, the kind of shoot, and what gear they’re bringing to the table. It can go up for commercial shoots, and features. Some high-end commercial or feature DPs charge only for their labor, and all the equipment gets prepped and picked up at a rental house by a camera assistant.
But for the context of this article, I’m mostly talking about owner-operator DP’s who might have a Sony FX9 or an Arri Alexa Mini, a variety of lenses, and a basic interview lighting package.
Sound Mixer with Sound Package ~ $1,000 / day
Range here is $850 to $1500/day depending on gear, they are providing and your project. If it’s a simple one-person sit-down interview it could likely cost less than a more complicated commercial shoot with actors or a reality show flying 5 wireless.
Adding some production value with a jib
Gaffer /Grip ~ $650-$850/day
Sometimes one and the same, or sometimes a team of two or more. Often a Grip/Electric team can provide a grip truck and a much more extensive lighting.
Camera Assistant / First AC ~ $750-$850/day
Some can provide their own wireless focus kits, monitors, and computers to download footage for an additional fee.
Makeup / Vanities ~ $650 - $900/day
Kit rentals are usually $50-$150 extra depending on what they bring.
PA / Utility ~ $250-$350
Are you looking for a PA to help you by getting releases signed, crafty and lunch, or are you looking for someone to help the crew who knows how to set up a c-stand and properly wrap cords? Either way, a local production assistant can be a handy addition.
Additional Equipment - If you need a second camera, gimbal, slider, or drone, ask your DP the price for adding.
Finding Your Perfect Crew
Here are some tried and true ways to find the best team for YOUR shoot:
Referrals
Corporate Video shoot for Turing AI
Referral from a colleague - A referral from a trusted colleague is the best place to start. Just make sure you ask your friend about what kind of production you worked with them on, and their background and style. While it might have been a good fit for them and their shoot, it may not be for yours.
Referral from your top choice - If the DP you know in town or were hoping to work isn’t available for your shoot, ask them who they would recommend. I have fantastic relationships with several local DPs and we trade work and refer each other all the time. This relationship is built on years of trust that you will take good care of their client.
Referral from your local team - if you have a DP or other production crew member you work with locally, ask them if they know anyone in the town you’re going in that they could recommend. Many of us have a large network of fellow crew members we know across the country, and are happy to refer them.
Crewing Agencies
A good crewing agency can serve as your production partner in putting a team together. Usually the people they recommend have been carefully vetted. You just tell them about your production, and they’ll know who would be the best fit for your particular need. They can also advise you on going rates, and how you can best maximize your budget.
Some specialize in television and broadcast, while others focus more on corporate video and commercial work.
Some go so far as to only include crews who are insured, and can provide them annual proofs of insurance. This alone eliminates some of the hobbyists and less experienced folks.
Many make their money by taking a small fee (like 12-15%) from the crew, or they split the fee with the client. It all varies. From my point of view as a crew member, I don’t mind paying that fee because they’ve done the marketing and the work to get that client, and will guarantee their payment.
There are many of these agencies out there.
Here are the ones I trust and have I’ve worked with for years on countless shoots - in alphabetical order - so that I don’t show favorites!
As a Colorado-based company, I’ve been working with Crew Connection for many years. Since 1989 they’ve been matching clients with crews, and they got me one of my very first gigs when I moved to Colorado in the 1990’s. Since then, they’ve hired me for dozens of shoots, and they’ve always been great communicators and a pleasure to work with.
I asked Aleah Williams - current Owner/Senior Coordinator at Crew Connection, what sets them apart and what plans they have for the future:
“Like no other crewing service partner in the industry, Crew Connection brings decades of industry knowledge and expertise to every client interaction. With three decades of proven success in creating the highest quality video productions, we stand behind all that we do. Just as we anticipated the growth of this industry and built a technology to support it, our Crew Coordinators anticipate your video needs and present the best solutions for every project.
We are also launching a fully interactive website, June of 2026! Clients and Crews will be able to book jobs, invoice and so much more! - More to come January of 2026.”
A top-notch agency based in Fulton, MD that has a vetted network of nearly 2500 crews in 350 cities around the world. They specialize mostly in corporate video production, and have hired us for lots of shoots over the years with some big name corporations.
I asked Kim Moseman, Digital and Marketing Content Manager at Crews Control, what sets them apart:
““We offer an exceptional range of global video crews and post production services that can elevate your corporate videos to new heights while streamlining the entire process for you.
Our team finds and vets the very best local talent in each city and then matching their talents, areas of expertise and shooting style perfectly to our corporate video producer clients requests. You’ll work directly with one of our incredible Production Managers, who are driven to make the perfect match.
We also offer still photography, animation and motion graphics, live streaming, drone footage and more! From your script, to the screen-Crews Control can handle everything and anything in-between.””
I’ve known and worked with Jill for many years, and she’s hired me to shoot some amazing projects. Jill is an incredible lady who runs her solo business with a very personal touch. Her worldwide crews and photographers are carefully vetted, highly experienced, and are happy when she calls. It’s like talking to a friend, and I’m sure that’s how she treats her clients as well.
“What sets me apart from other crewing agencies is that they operate with offices and teams of staff handling bookings — while my company is just me.
I personally manage every booking, building relationships based on mutual trust with the crews I hire. I genuinely love what I do.
My shoots have covered a wide range of projects, but my top three favorites would have to be the cold weather testing of the Ford F-150 in Alaska, the Blue Origin rocket launch in Texas, and a week-long corporate event in Normandy, France. The last one was a photo shoot with five French photographers — such an incredible experience. I only wish I could have gone on that job!” ”
The Crew Company
Founders Katy and David Henthorne both come from the Los Angeles film industry, and have years of on-set production and production management experience they bring to the table. David was a Production Manager on a Paramount Pictures show, and Katy was producing for a Warner Bros. production. Both saw the same challenge from different sides: production companies needed reliable, skilled crews across the country, but the existing options just were not delivering the quality or professionalism we expected.
So they founded The Crew Company, and it’s now it’s 29th year. They’ve brought me on board to help shoot a number of TV shows and documentary projects over the years, and are always great to work with.
I asked them how they approach booking crews for clients and what sets them apart:
“Our approach is simple: we start by asking the right questions. What’s the project scope? What’s the budget expectation? What’s the genre? Documentary, commercial, branded content, or something else entirely? How big is the crew, and what will it take to get it done right?
Whether it’s moody, documentary-style lighting, a polished pharmaceutical promo, or a fast-paced true crime shoot, we know this industry isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why we match every project with crew members who not only meet expectations, they elevate the final product.”
Crew Listing Services & Local Production Guides
There are many services where you can search for production crew members by category and location. Then you can drill down to see their work, credits, gear, and a link to their website and contact info. Just remember, you have to do all the vetting yourself once you find someone, which many production teams actually prefer.
My favorite of these is ProductionHub, and have gotten lots of gigs through them.
You can also tap into the local production guide for the state or city you’re filming in.
Finally, you can always do a Google search for “Camera Crew [city or state where you are shooting]” But this can be tricky, because the best crews are not usually the ones who show up on the top pages of google searches.
How to Vet and Hire your Crew Once you Find Them
Tom and Carlos on MMA feature story for ESPN
No matter how you find your crew, you’ll need to check them out to be sure they’re a good fit for your production.
Check out their work and clients - It’s pretty obvious, but start by looking at their work. I prefer to see a few clips of finished pieces over a montage reel. The main things to look for are lighting, framing choices, and camera movement. Does their style and the work they’ve done match what you’re hoping to achieve? Some of us have lit and shot hundreds of interviews, so can match many styles.
Don’t get too hung up on finding someone who has interviewed left-handed fly fisherman if that’s what you’re doing a story about! The pros are pretty versatile.
Talk to them - I’m amazed at how much gets booked by email alone these days. If it’s an important shoot, take ten or fifteen minutes and talk to the DP. You’re going to be spending at least one pretty intense day with this person, you might as well see how you get along on the phone. You can learn so much with a call.
Ask them about their rates - Once you have your budget in mind, see if their rates fall within that. If so, you’re good to go. If not, see if they are willing to negotiate. But remember, a cheaper crew may not be the best crew. You don’t want to get burned by the cheapest guys or gals in town.
Contact others who have worked with them - I’ve never needed to do this, but sometimes it’s good to check references of people who have worked with them before.
Book’em Danno - Once you’ve found the crew you want to work with and agreed on rates, don’t wait — get them booked before that date disappears to another shoot.
Like with any professional arrangement, it’s smart to get everything in writing. A simple agreement goes a long way, especially if you haven’t worked together before. It should clearly outline rates, overtime, mileage, cancellation terms, and payment schedule. Some crews may require a deposit to hold the date — totally normal. The goal is to make sure everyone knows what to expect so there are no surprises later.
Pre-Production - Once they’re on board, schedule a quick pre-production call to go over the details. Your DP can help you estimate lighting time for interviews, how long it’ll take to wrap in a tricky location, or even where to grab lunch nearby.
Also, you can talk about camera specs, mood and feel for the shoot, and send over some comps and location photos if you have them.
I don’t know about other crews, but the more I know ahead of time the better I sleep the night before and the better job I can do!
That’s a Wrap
Finding a great camera crew anywhere in the world really comes down to experience, communication, and trust. Once you know what to look for — and who to ask — you’ll quickly separate the true professionals from the hobbyists.
The best DPs and crews aren’t just operators; they’re partners who understand the pressure you’re under to deliver for your client. They anticipate problems, protect your brand, and make your shoot days easier. When you find those people, keep them close — and pay them fairly. It always pays off.
Over the years I’ve been lucky to both host and hire incredible crews across the country. Every one of those relationships started with a single email or phone call — and a mutual respect for doing great work.
That’s really the secret: great people make great shoots, no matter where you are in the world.
About the Author
Tom Miller is a Denver-based Director of Photography with more than twenty years experience filming branded content, documentaries, and broadcast projects. He’s worked with producers and agencies from around the world, and loves welcoming visiting production partners to Colorado — helping them capture stunning visuals while making their shoot days run smoothly. Tom can be booked directly, or through any of our agency partners mentioned above 🙂