Sometimes a photo is not enough to convey a message. Videos help add an extra layer of depth and emotion to anything you want to portray. However the dynamic nature of videos means that there are more factors to consider when producing one.  Here are some easy tips to make any video look more professional.

Plan your video content

The content of your video is much more important than the quality. That isn’t to say that quality is not important, but if there is one aspect that needs extra time and energy, it is the planning of your content. Unlike photo shoots where “photoshopping” a mistake does not take long, video content is much less forgiving. So before grabbing the camera consider the following:

• Outline your goal
• Know your vision
• Scout a location ahead of time
• Plan your shooting day

Use light effectively

Lighting makes an enormous difference in the quality of your finished video. Proper light positioning can mean the difference between a flat bland video and a striking evocative shot.

The sun is one of the best light sources for video. If you’re filming in natural light, do your best to get your footage in the morning or evening, when the light is softer. Midday light coming from straight overhead can cast harsh shadows on your subjects, while morning and evening light is more flattering. If you do have to film in the middle of the day, try to do so on a cloudy day, or find a shady area for softer light.

If you’re filming indoors an important tip is to avoid overhead lighting as much as possible. It will usually cast unflattering shadows on your subjects’ faces.

Mind the background

Sometimes when taking a video we focus a bit too much on the subject and forget about the background. There’s nothing more unflattering than a forgotten trash bag or empty bottle behind your main subject.

One easy way to get a professional look for your video is to use a solid-colored background. A wall, a bedsheet, or a large sheet of backdrop paper are all good options. Make sure your subject stands several feet away from the backdrop to avoid casting shadows on it.

It’s also a good idea to shoot a video in a “professional” environment: the place where you actually work or spend time (as long as it’s been tidied up).

Clean crisp audio is a must

This is an area where quality is very important. Many audiences can accept if your video is not shot in HD, or if it’s slightly grainy, however nothing turns a viewer off more than fuzzy, indistinct audio.

Because audio matters so much, a good microphone is the first piece of equipment you should invest in. Get the best one you can afford.

Avoid shaky footage

This one is self-explanatory, shaky footage will make any video look like a home movie. Holding a camera perfectly steady is hard to do. Try using a tripod where possible to get a perfectly still clean shot. Instead of using complicated camera movements to shift from shot to shot, try taking simple steady shots and cutting between them in post.

Here is a short video that we took that uses some of these tips.