Gaffer for Hire in Orlando & Central Florida
Gaffer for Hire in Orlando & Central Florida
If you're producing a commercial, branded content video, or corporate shoot in Orlando, Tampa, or anywhere across Central Florida and you need a gaffer — you're probably running into the same problem. You search "gaffer for hire Orlando" and you get staffing sites. Middlemen. Agencies that will match you with whoever happens to be available.
That's not how I work.
I'm Tyler Williams — a working gaffer and Director of Photography based in Central Florida. I'm not a platform. I don't subcontract your job out and hope for the best. When you hire me, I'm the one showing up on your set, running your lighting department, and making sure the look you're going for actually happens.
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Why Local Matters More Than You Think
Bringing in a gaffer from out of market has real costs beyond the travel budget: they don't know the local crew pool, they don't know where to source gear quickly when something breaks, and they're not going to have the relationships with rental houses in Orlando or Tampa that come from years of working here.
I've been lighting commercial and branded content shoots across Central Florida for years. I know which rental houses have what. I know the local best boys and electricians worth calling. When you hire local, you get someone already plugged into the market — and that matters when your call time is 5am and something needs a solution fast.
If you want to understand what a gaffer actually does on set, I've written a full breakdown here: [What does a gaffer do?](https://www.tylerwilliamsdp.com/blog/what-does-a-gaffer-do-a-working-gaffer-explains-the-job-and-how-to-hire-one)
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What I Bring
I come with my own G&E package — truck-loaded with the lighting and grip gear that covers most commercial-scale shoots without you having to source a separate package house. LED fixtures, tungsten, HMIs, grip stands, diffusion, and the tools to rig them properly.
More importantly, I come with a process. Before your shoot day, I'm reading the shot list, talking with the DP (or if I'm wearing both hats, thinking through the look), scouting the location if there's time, and planning the lighting order so your day runs tight. I don't figure it out when I get there.
On set, I run the G&E department — that means managing the electrics, keeping the power situation controlled, calling out safety issues before they become problems, and making sure every setup is lit the way it needs to be, as fast as it can be done.
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Where I Work
I'm based in Central Florida and available across the region. My primary market is:
- Orlando and the greater metro (Orange County, Seminole County, Osceola County)
- Tampa Bay (Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater, Sarasota)
- The Space Coast (Brevard County, Melbourne, Cape Canaveral)
- South Florida for the right project
If you're producing something outside those areas, reach out anyway. For the right project I'll travel.
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Rates
Day rates for commercial gaffer work in Florida typically run in the $650–$1,200+ range depending on the scope, crew size, and whether a gear package is included. I don't have a posted menu — every project is different, and I'd rather give you an accurate number after hearing what you're actually shooting than quote something generic.
If you're also looking for a DP and want to think through whether that makes sense on your production, read this first: [How to hire a DP for your commercial](https://www.tylerwilliamsdp.com/blog/how-to-hire-a-dp-for-your-commercial).
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FAQ
How far will you travel?
Anywhere in Central and South Florida without a second thought. For projects outside Florida, it depends on the scope — reach out and let's talk.
Do you supply your own gear?
Yes. I have a package that handles most commercial-scale shoots. For larger productions, I can coordinate with local rental houses to supplement, and I know what's available across the Orlando and Tampa markets.
Do you bring your own crew?
I can, depending on the production size. I have relationships with local best boys and electricians I trust and work with regularly. If you need a full G&E department built out, I can help put that together.
Can you do both gaffer and DP on the same project?
Sometimes, yes — particularly on smaller commercial shoots where the production is lean and the look is manageable. We'd talk through whether that's the right call for your specific shoot.
How do I book you?
Contact me through tylerwilliamsdp.com. Give me a quick rundown: shoot dates, location, rough scope (commercial, corporate, branded content), and what role you're looking to fill. I'll get back to you quickly.
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Let's Work
If you're producing in Orlando, Tampa, or anywhere in Central Florida and you need a gaffer who knows the market, comes prepared, and runs a tight lighting department — that's what I do.
Hit the contact page at tylerwilliamsdp.com and let's talk about your project.