Photo by Andrew Hutchings on Unsplash
You have photo and video production skills but don’t necessarily feel comfortable bringing your own equipment to the event you booked. Maybe you don’t feel comfortable traveling far distances with it or simply don’t own the equipment, but are booking gigs to eventually pay for it. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, there are some pretty big reasons why you should rent camera equipment (and get camera rental insurance) for your next big event.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or someone just starting out in the industry, renting your own camera equipment is a great way to try out new gear before committing to it. With so many clients having a specific idea in mind, such as involving special effects and high-production value, renting gear to get the job done is an easy way to fulfill client requests cost-effectively.
Without further adieu, here are the top 5 reasons why you should rent your camera production equipment:
1. You Can Rent Pretty Much Everything
We have to start this list by stating the biggest benefit of camera rentals. And that is that you can rent pretty much everything! This includes the camera itself, specialty lenses, boom and wireless mics, lighting gear, grip supplies, and a Dana Dolly to keep your camera steady while filming.
These are just a few of the most common types of camera gear that gets rented, but by no means is it an exhaustive list. You may also be able to rent out a camera bag, tripod, filter, speedlight, and so much more.
Simply put, the best thing about renting out camera equipment is that you have your pick of the gear and accessories you need to make your event a success.
2. Access to the Latest Technology But Without the Hefty Price Tag
There’s no way to go around it: camera equipment is expensive. And, just like buying a new car, there are countless benefits of taking it out for a metaphorical test drive before spending your hard-earned cash on it.
For example, drones were all the rage a few years ago. And while they are still popular, they’re being used for much larger productions, rather than individual use. This is one example of how easy it is for your camera gear to become outdated. In many cases, a lot of innovative camera equipment becomes old news a year or two later. Here’s looking at you, drones, selfie sticks, and GoPros.
While these items have their place, they tend to get trendy and fizzle out. So, investing in them means that you may be holding onto gear that people aren’t necessarily interested in using anymore. This concept applies to lighting gear and camera lenses, too. Fads fade quickly in this industry, and considering you may have budgetary constraints, investing in everything new that comes down the pike may hurt your wallet in the end.
Renting gets rid of this budgetary constraint, allowing you to get what you need when you need it and not keep it past its expiration date. Furthermore, it allows you to meet your client’s demands for one-time projects. Since many camera rental houses offer support and training on the latest technology before you use it, you have a myriad of gear at your disposal.
3. Makes it Easier to Travel Cross Country or Abroad
One big benefit of renting camera equipment is that it makes it easier for you to travel cross-country or internationally without exposing your gear to harm.
Camera equipment can be easily broken or lost when checked through an airline. Likewise, it can be very expensive to check these at the airport. If you’re traveling internationally, you may face issues getting through customs. All of these could result in a situation in which you arrive at your client’s shoot without the gear you need. This could spell big trouble!
By checking what camera gear can be rented when you arrive at your destination, you eliminate all these potential issues from occurring.
4. The Rental Process is Really Easy
Photo by ShareGrid on Unsplash
Best of all, the process of renting the quality gear you need is made easy when you go through a rental shop.
In most cases, a rental shop allows you to try out the gear in person, so you can have time to get acquainted with it before taking it with you to your shoot. Furthermore, rental shops tend to have a lot more products, including specialty items.
5. You Can Actually Save Money
Saving the best entry for last. When you rent your camera equipment, you can save money. There are a few ways of doing this.
First, renting equipment cuts back on your maintenance costs. If you own your equipment, you’re also responsible for making repairs or paying for replacement parts if something breaks. When you rent, the rental company is responsible for repairs when one of their cameras or associated parts breaks.
This ties into the other big benefit of renting, which is reducing your insurance costs. Camera rental insurance is necessary, whether you own or rent your gear. However, by going through a rental company, you’re usually not paying as much for insurance as you would if you got full coverage on your personal equipment. Ultimately, this saves you money that can be used for other expenditures.
Other big benefits of renting your camera equipment include reducing your overhead costs and storage needs. As with any good or service, the cost you give to clients includes the cost of your equipment. It has to be for you to make a profit. However, this can be hard to achieve if you’re shooting a small gig or only need to invest in a specific type of equipment for one day. Renting eliminates this, so you only need to rent out the gear you need for one-time use, instead of paying a lot of money for something you’re not going to regularly use. Even if you’re using a specialized piece of camera equipment, you can pass the production cost to the client.
The same goes for storage. Camera gear can be quite extensive and bulky, and you may have limited storage options available if you’re shooting in a small space. Keep the area free and clear by renting your camera gear from a quality rental shop. And, since renting camera gear is usually tax deductible, there’s never been a better time to rent the gear you need at an affordable cost.
