Smile, You’re On Camera: Three Tips To Making Better Video

Jake and Haley preparing for a shoot.

As we’ve discovered in earlier posts, photos and videos make great content to push out to social media networks. On the surface, making a video can seem daunting – gathering the equipment, filming your subject, and editing your footage all seems like a lot of work. It’s understandable because everyone wants a professional looking video.

There are, however, a few things you can do that will give your video a professional look, and guess what? None of them are “buy a $2,000 camera.”

• Stabilize your camera. It doesn’t matter if you have the most expensive camera in the world – if your footage is shaky it will definitely look amateur. Invest in a high quality tripod, one that is sturdy and heavy enough to stay stable. Take some time and frame your shot – you want your subject to be set up in frame in a natural way.
• Light your scene. Ever heard the phrase “more than meets the eye?” This is especially true for cameras when recording video. Cameras interpret light and color differently than our eyes. This means that what may seem well lit to our eyes shows up washed out and darkened on film. Take some time to analyze the light sources in your scene – work with the light, not against it.
• Sound, Sound, SOUND. One of the most important aspects of your video is sound – I’d say it’s equally as important as video. Sound is so important because it’s what is conveying your message. Choose areas of your surroundings carefully – will the mic pick up the hum from the air conditioner or fridge? Is the wind blowing at such an angle that it’s impeding the quality of the sound? Can your subject be adequately heard? Most in-camera audio solutions are sub-par, so consider using a handheld or lapel mic – it will make all the difference.