Color grading can make or break your final image. But not every project needs a $2,000/day colorist. Here’s when to hire one and when to handle it yourself.
When You Can Grade It Yourself
If your project is:
- Web content with simple looks: Social media, YouTube, basic corporate work
- Rec.709 delivery only: Standard HD/web color space, no HDR or cinema deliverables
- Natural lighting with good exposure: Minimal correction needed, just polish
- Tight budget: Under $10K total production budget
Learn DaVinci Resolve (it’s free), apply a basic correction, and call it done. Your time is worth more than hiring out simple grades.
When to Hire a Colorist
You need a pro when:
- National broadcast or cinema release: High-end deliverables, HDR, P3 color space
- Complex looks: Heavy stylization, matching archive footage, VFX integration
- Mixed camera formats: Matching ARRI, Sony, and Canon footage in one edit
- Tight deadlines: You don’t have time to learn advanced techniques mid-project
- Client expects it: Some brands won’t accept anything less than a professional grade
What a Colorist Actually Does
More than just moving sliders. A good colorist:
- Matches shots across different lighting conditions and cameras
- Builds custom LUTs for your specific project
- Fixes exposure and white balance issues you missed on set
- Enhances skin tones without making them look artificial
- Delivers in multiple formats (Rec.709, P3, HDR10, Dolby Vision)
How Much It Costs
Professional colorists charge:
- Day rate: $800-2,500/day depending on experience and market
- Project rate: Fixed price for the whole job (good for predictable budgets)
- Hourly: $150-400/hour for smaller projects or revisions
A 30-second commercial typically takes 4-8 hours to grade. Budget accordingly.
How to Work with a Colorist
Make their job easier:
- Deliver a locked edit (no more changes after color starts)
- Include reference frames or mood boards showing the look you want
- Provide clean, uncompressed files (ProRes 4444 or better)
- Share camera settings, LUTs used on set, and any on-set references
The Middle Ground
Can’t afford a full colorist session? Hire one for a few hours to:
- Build a hero grade for your key shots
- Create a LUT you can apply to the rest yourself
- Fix problem shots (bad exposure, mixed white balance)
Then handle the rest in-house. Best of both worlds.
Need color grading for your next project?
Let’s talk. We can handle it in-house or connect you with a colorist who fits your budget.
