How to Create Professional Equine Product Videos Using Your Smartphone: Get Set for Black Friday and the Holiday Season
In today's fast-paced digital world, creating winning product videos is crucial for equestrian businesses, especially when many are gearing up for Black Friday and the Christmas season.
While professional video shoots can be costly, you can produce glossy product videos right from your smartphone. This months newsletter is a 10 step guide, packed with invaluable tips to help you shoot professional-quality equestrian product videos that will wow your audience and importantly, help bring in sales!
Tip 1. Create an Easy Home Studio Setup
Forget about renting expensive studio space and create an effective studio right in your own home or yard.
Consider investing in a lightbox kit, which includes a pop-up white box, smartphone tripod, and even lights. These kits are budget-friendly, starting at just ￡25. They're perfect for beginners, just be prepared to iron out any creases in the background panels.
For larger products or top-down shots, invest in wipe-clean backdrops. I love www.blackvelvetstyling.com as their extensive selection of brick, wood, and shabby chic styles can really enhance your equine product videos.
Tip 2. Create a Studio Cove Setup
Achieving that professional infinity curve look is easier than you think. Purchase a wide roll of white paper, attach it to a shelf, and let it cascade down, curving onto a desk or table. Secure it in place with tape. This setup ensures the focus remains solely on the product in the foreground, giving your videos a polished look.
When in doubt, opt for a white background, as it's a versatile choice for any product.
Tip 3. Lighting Matters
Starting out, keep your lighting setup simple. Natural light is a great option so shoot by a large window or go outside during the brightest part of the day.
Experiment and see which lighting works best for your products. Avoid harsh, bold lights that can make your videos appear flat. To soften the light, place a sheet of plain photocopy paper or a bit of baking roll over your light source and ensure that your light is directed toward the back of your studio setup rather than directly at your product to minimize shadows.
Tip 4. Shoot with a Blurred Background
For a more casual look without a studio vibe, you can use your smartphone's bokeh or blurred background effect (I go in to more detail about the bokeh effect in this newsletter article ). This feature can make even messy backgrounds appear artistic.
You can find it in your smartphone's camera settings under options like "cinematic," "live focus," or "portrait mode."
Tip 5. Try Top-Down Videos
Top-down shots are a favorite for many because they eliminate depth of field, making your product stand out.
Use equipment like an overhead smartphone stand, which ensures stability while shooting overhead. This makes experimenting with angles and shots easy. You can find budget-friendly options online to get started.
Here's my current budget-friendly favourite if you are just starting out.?
领英推荐
Tip 6. Add Movement
Incorporating movement into your product videos can significantly enhance their appeal. Try panning your camera from left to right to showcase your product from various angles.
A gimbal can provide stable shots if you already have one, but if not opt for a dolly slider, resembling a small roller skate for your smartphone.
Alternatively, invest in a mirrored turntable or rotating display stand for smooth movement. These can be found for around ￡20 and are battery-operated, with adjustable speeds.
Tip 7. Consider Using a Macro Lens
For captivating close-up shots, consider adding a macro lens to your smartphone. These lenses are affordable and clip onto most smartphones. Remember to shoot in well-lit areas for the best results.
If you're committed to macro photography, check out www.shopmoment.com for high-quality options, although they are an investment.
Tip 8. Add Variety
Variety is key in keeping your audience engaged. If you have multiple products, line them up and shoot them in sequence. Experiment with different movements and shot sizes. Shoot products in the center and on either side of the frame to make resizing for social media and text overlays easy.
Tip 9. Don't Forget Props
Props can elevate your product videos and provide viewers with a sense of proportion.
Consider using horse treats, handfuls of horse feed for texture, hay and straw as bases, or even equestrian tack in the background. Rows of hats or boots neatly fill the frame and enhance your video's production value.
Tip 10. Safety Kit Checklist
Before you start your product shoot, ensure you have the following essentials:
Remember, I'm here to offer guidance and support to ensure your equestrian product videos shoot is a winner. To create fast, professional-quality video content that drives sales and grows your equine brand or business using just your smartphone, take a look at my Equine Video Pro Course , priced at just ￡97 for lifetime access to get you ahead of the game for Black Friday and the Christmas season.
WHO IS JAY
I am a video expert based in England and I am the UK’s Number One Smartphone Video Coach. I’ve got over 30 years of experience in TV and video and I’ve worked?as producer, director, presenter and celebrity stylist on a large number of broadcast shows for the BBC, ITV, Sky and C4 and I am a horse owner and full time equestrian obsessive!
Since 2007 I have been the CEO of Violet Productions a successful production company based in London and the Cotswolds making videos for clients?who want to outsource their video needs.?
For clients who want to shoot their own video content, my smartphone video online training courses are helping hundreds of people just like you to grow your business or brand with video. My new online?Equine Video Pro course ?is tailor made for time poor fellow equestrians,?keeping your equine brand and businesses ahead of the game when it comes to creating scroll stopping video content.?
You can email me [email protected]