Easy Changes to Immediately Shoot Better Social Media Videos

Intro

What’s up, contractors? I’m here in the kitchen today to show you how you can create social media posts like a pro-even if you’re not a videographer or have never done anything like this before. You can do it all right from your phone! I’ll share tips, tricks, and secret iPhone settings to help you make it happen.

Choosing the Right Camera

When I’m on the road with contractors, I often hear questions like, “What camera should I use?” or “Does it make a difference?” Some think they need a DSLR or a rugged GoPro for fieldwork. However, I recommend using your smartphone. Whether you have an iPhone, Android, or something else, smartphone cameras-with their advanced settings and software-compete with, and can sometimes outperform, professional cameras under ideal conditions. I’ll show you the settings to tweak for the best results.

Optimizing Phone Camera Settings

Let’s dive into your phone’s camera settings to maximize its potential:

1. Video Resolution: Set your video format to 4K at 60 frames per second (FPS). This gives you the highest quality resolution, and 60 FPS makes your videos smoother. If you want to slow down your footage later, you can reduce the speed by 50% without losing quality.
2. Gridlines: Turn on the grid feature. This adds square lines to your screen, making it easier to line up shots and keep them level.
3. Pro Features: Skip the ProRes and ProRaw features unless you’re experienced with editing and managing large files-they’re not worth the hassle for most people.
4. Cinematic Mode: Switch your camera to cinematic mode (on iPhones) or panning mode (on Android) for a more professional look.

Prepping Your Space

Before filming, clean and prep your space. Your video’s quality depends on how the space looks. Here’s what to do:

• Declutter: Remove items like soap dispensers or anything not intentionally placed.
• Lighting: Turn on under-cabinet lighting and make sure the space is bright and inviting.
• Decor: Leave decorative items, like cutting boards, that enhance the space’s feel. Arrange them intentionally to cover outlets and empty corners.
• Add Greenery: A small plant can make a big difference. If you don’t have set dressing, you can find affordable options on Amazon or Target (links are in the video description).

The goal is to create an idealized, minimalist space where everything feels purposefully placed.

Shooting Your Video

With your space and camera ready, it’s time to shoot. Use a shot list to stay organized (check the video description for ours). Here’s how to capture great footage:

1. Wide Shots: Start with an establishing shot to give viewers a sense of the entire room. Use slow, smooth movements for 3-5 seconds.
2. Detail Shots: Focus on smaller elements like flowers or decor to convey the emotion of the space. Find angles that highlight the details.
3. Movement Techniques: Stick to three types of movements:
   • Inward/Outward: Move toward or away from a subject.
   • Side-to-Side: Capture a panning shot.
   • Orbiting: Circle around a subject for dynamic angles.

For the final shot, consider pulling out, as if exiting the space. Avoid back-and-forth movements, which can confuse viewers.

Wrapping Up

After capturing your footage, you’ll have plenty of short clips to use for various social media posts. If the idea of shooting video still feels overwhelming, check out our video on using photos and AI to achieve a similar outcome. Once you’re ready to edit your clips into posts, watch our tutorial on creating engaging social media content.

With these tips, you’ll be creating professional-looking videos in no time!