What does videography mean?
Videography is the art or practice of making video recordings. It encompasses the planning, filming, editing, and presentation of moving images for films, events, businesses, journalism, documentaries, and online media. In ordinary use, the word often suggests professional or systematic video production rather than casual filming with a phone, although it can apply to any deliberate practice of recording video. A videographer is the person who performs this work. Videography is related to cinematography but has a broader scope: cinematography chiefly concerns the visual techniques used in film production, whereas videography can include promotional, instructional, documentary, and event recordings. The term is also sometimes used more narrowly to describe the visual style or techniques of a video. Its principal connotations are technical skill, creative composition, storytelling, and professional production. The word is useful when a speaker needs to identify video recording as a field or practice rather than referring to a particular video or video producer.
nounThe art or practice of making video recordings, especially for events, businesses, films, or other productions.
- The art or practice of producing video recordings, especially as a professional or creative activity.
"The documentary was praised for its inventive videography and striking visual storytelling."
"Her company provides videography for weddings, conferences, and corporate events."
"The historical footage became important to the documentary's videography and narrative structure."
The plural is rare because videography is ordinarily used as an uncountable name for a field or activity.
"The course compares the videographies of several pioneering documentary filmmakers."
Videography joins Latin video, meaning “I see,” with Greek-derived -graphy, meaning writing or recording: the art of recording what the camera sees.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does videography come from?
Videography is a twentieth-century English compound formed from video and the combining form -graphy. Video comes from Latin videō, meaning “I see,” while -graphy derives from Greek graphia, associated with writing or recording. The compound developed as television and portable video recording became established technologies, and its meaning later expanded alongside professional video production.
Related word forms
How videography is actually used
Videography is neutral in register and is especially common in professional, commercial, and event-related contexts. It is normally used as an uncountable noun, although a countable plural is possible in specialized contexts. British and American speakers use different standard pronunciations, but the meaning is broadly the same.
Easily confused with videography
Videography involves recording moving images, whereas photography primarily involves capturing still images.