Legal videographers produce visual documentation, usually of an
evidential nature, for use in legal procedures. Legal videographers
may be called upon to produce visual documentation for a number of
purposes, such as filming video wills, pre-nuptial agreements, or
interviews with witnesses involved in legal actions. Legal
videographers may be employed by law enforcement agencies to film
depositions, forensic evidence, or to document crime scenes. In
addition, legal videographers may film insurance fraud evidence,
pre-construction videos, post-construction videos, settlement
documentaries, and mock trials.
There are no educational requirements to become a legal
videographer. However, a degree in video production, sometimes
called audio-visual production, or some amount of course work in
video production training will prepare videographers for work in
their field.
Legal videographers may be self-employed or work for a company
that offers legal videographer services. Legal videographers are
required to purchase their own equipment, such as cameras, video
editing equipment, video editing software, video monitors, and
field gear such as tripods, light meters, lighting equipment, and
microphones.
Unlike stenographic court reporters, the courts do not require
that legal videographers be certified. However, the American Guild
of Court Videographers (AGCV), founded in 1995, offers four
certifications for legal videographers: Certified Deposition Video
Specialist, Certified Court Video Specialist, Certified Legal Video
Instructor, and Certified Senior Court Videographer. Membership in
the AGCV may enhance that status and earnings potential of legal
videographers.
Legal videographers may also join the National Legal Video
Association (NLVA), which offers members a listing in their annual
directory, quarterly newsletters, and discounts on hotels, car
rentals, and long-distance telephone calls. Like certification by
the AGCV, membership in the NLVA is not required to work as a legal
videographer.
Many lawyers secure the services of legal videographers to
produce video presentations for use in courtroom settings. As
courtroom procedures utilize more advanced visual media technology,
the demand for legal videographers is expected to increase.
The median annual salary for a legal videographer in the United
States is approximately $56,500. The starting salary for a legal
videographer is roughly $44,000. Experienced legal videographers
can make as much as $75,000 annually.