Subcontracting in Photo & Video Production: How and Why We Do It

Subcontracting is one of those topics that sounds more complicated than it actually is.

In the photo and video world, subcontracting simply means being hired by another studio, agency, or production company to execute part of a project on their behalf. And yes, it’s something we do regularly at C King Media.

This includes both the studio as a whole and our principal photographer and videographer, Charles King, working on projects under other banners when it makes sense.

Subcontracting Isn’t Just About Filling the Calendar

Let’s be honest. Subcontracting absolutely helps keep calendars full and revenue consistent. That part isn’t a secret.

But it’s not the whole story.

For creatives, subcontracting is also about exposure to different types of projects, clients, industries, and creative challenges. If all we ever did was one type of work, even if we were very good at it, the process would become repetitive over time.

Creative growth thrives on variety.

Staying Creatively Sharp Matters

As a studio, we do a lot of corporate, commercial, and branded content. That work is important, valuable, and effective. But creativity benefits from contrast.

Subcontracting allows us to step into projects that push us creatively in different ways, not because we don’t know how to do them, but because they let us approach familiar tools with a different mindset.

Nonprofit work is a great example. Sometimes it’s paid, sometimes it’s partially or fully pro bono. Either way, those projects often allow for deeper storytelling, emotional connection, and creative freedom that fuels passion and sharpens our craft.

That inspiration always finds its way back into our client work.

Why Larger Agencies Hire Local Studios

A lot of people assume that large production or marketing agencies with “nationwide” services actually send their own crews everywhere.

In reality, that’s rarely the case.

Very often, those agencies hire trusted local studios to execute specific parts of a project. Common scenarios include:

• Remote talking head videos for corporate teams
• Executive interviews in regional offices
• Location-specific footage (Washington, DC is a common one)
• Budget-conscious productions where flying a crew doesn’t make sense

From the agency’s perspective, it’s faster, more cost-effective, and more reliable to work with an experienced local studio.

From our perspective, it’s a straightforward production role with clear expectations.

The Reality of “Nationwide” Production

Here’s an industry truth that doesn’t get talked about much.

Many studios that appear to service the entire country are actually teams of producers with strong SEO, solid sales processes, and well-built vendor networks. When a project lands in a city like Tulsa, Phoenix, or Washington, DC, they don’t already have crews there. They source them.

They research local providers, contact studios like ours, and subcontract the execution.

As long as the numbers make sense and the scope is clear, we’re happy to be part of that process.

Why Subcontracting Can Actually Be Less Stressful

One of the underrated benefits of subcontracting is efficiency.

In many cases, we’re brought in near the final stages of planning. The creative direction is already set. The client approvals are done. The expectations are clear.

That means:

• Fewer meetings
• Less back-and-forth
• Minimal pre-production overhead
• Clear execution goals

While margins can vary, the reduced time investment often balances out. In some cases, it’s as profitable, or more so, than running a project fully in-house.

How This Benefits Our Clients

Subcontracting doesn’t dilute our standards. It strengthens them.

Working with agencies, studios, and production houses exposes us to different workflows, expectations, and creative approaches. That experience directly improves how we operate as a studio.

Clients benefit from:

• A team that’s adaptable
• Experience working within larger production ecosystems
• High execution standards without unnecessary complexity

Whether we’re the primary studio or a trusted subcontractor, the goal is the same: professional execution and clean results.

The Bottom Line

Subcontracting is not an exception. It’s part of how modern production works.

At C King Media, we subcontract throughout the year, intentionally and selectively. It keeps us sharp, inspired, and connected to a broader creative ecosystem, while allowing us to deliver strong, reliable work no matter the role we’re playing.

In the end, good production isn’t about who’s name is on the invoice.
It’s about who shows up and does the work right.