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CAPTURED - Weekly Newsletter

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How to Approach Video as a Photographer

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Hey Reader,

If you didn't already know, I actually started my creative journey out in video.

Weddings, small brand projects, social edits... that was my lane before I ever called myself a photographer.

I was the 'hybrid' guy.

At first I thought everyone worked like this, but later I realised most photographers avoided video.

This skill of knowing how to create ended up being one of the most valuable things I built.

Not because I worked on massive productions, but because video became the language of the online space.

It’s how I land brand deals, how I share my work on YouTube, and how you probably found this newsletter.

So if you’ve been curious about video but not sure where to start, here’s how I’d approach it as a photographer today.

Seeing video differently...

The first thing to understand is that video isn’t as foreign as it feels.

You already know how to frame, how to see light, and how to tell a story.

Those instincts carry straight over.

The main difference is that a photo can stand on its own, while a video needs clips that connect.

That doesn’t mean building a full short film.

It just means capturing a few pieces that fit together: a wide shot to set the scene, something closer to pull us in, and maybe a detail to finish the thought.

Put those together, and you already have something watchable.

You’ll also notice that video is less forgiving than photography.

With a RAW photo, you can fix a lot in post, but with video, you need consistency across clips.

Aim to keep your settings steady so everything feels like it belongs in the same piece.

How I'd approach shooting

When you’re filming, think of it as making moving photos.

The rules you already follow from photography (composition, light, framing) all still apply.

However, the only new part is movement.

And in my experience, the easiest way to start is to let the subject move instead of the camera.

I used to think “cinematic” meant swinging the camera around or adding motion in every shot.

But steady clips are almost always easier to shoot and nicer to watch.

A tripod helps, but even handheld is fine if you keep things still.

Essentially...

Let what's in the frame do the moving

One last thing: give yourself some 'breathing room' when capturing video.

When we take pictures, we're freezing a fraction of a second in time.

With video, it's quite the opposite.

So if you feel like you've captured the moment you're recording, hold it for 3-5 seconds longer before hitting stop on the record.

You'll thank yourself later in the edit!

A quick word on Sound

You may have heard it before, but with video, audio is half the story.

People can sit through grainy visuals if the sound is clear, but no one will watch crisp visuals with distorted or distracting audio.

Whether you are filming a YouTube video or a quick reel, aim to capture clean sound.

That might mean using an external mic instead of the camera’s built-in one, or even recording voice notes on your phone if that’s all you have.

The goal is clarity.

Get into the habit of listening to your environment before you hit record...wind, hums, or chatter will all be obvious later.

How I approach editing

Editing is where video comes alive, and it’s also where most photographers freeze up.

But here's where 'processes' become essential.

Whether I’m editing a reel, a YouTube video, or client work, I always follow the same steps:

Step one is the rough cut.

I import everything into Premiere Pro, scrub through, and cut out the fluff until I’m left with the best clips in a sequence.

(CapCut is also the best free alternative I'd recommend!)

Step two is adding music.

I drop in a track early because it sets the pace and mood.

The choice of track is almost as important as the footage itself.

The wrong song can make a video unwatchable, while the right one can carry it all the way through.

Step three is layering in B-roll.

These are the cutaways, close-ups, or little details that keep things interesting and make the video feel polished.

Step four is colour.

This part feels like home to us photographers.

I apply a LUT or do a basic grade so everything looks consistent.

It’s basically using presets, but for video.

Step five is text, graphics & sound effects.

Nothing fancy, just simple titles or context overlays where they help.

If you want to push further, consider adding in subtle sound effects that match what’s happening on screen.

Small things like footsteps or ambient noise can add valuable depth to your videos!

And step six is the final pass.

I watch the whole thing through like a viewer.

If something drags, I cut it shorter.

If I get bored, I tighten it up.

That’s usually where a decent video becomes a good one.

Mistakes I've made (so you don't have to)

Looking back, there are a few things I wish someone had told me earlier.

• Shoot horizontally. Even if your end goal is social, filming in landscape gives you more options. You can always crop to vertical later.
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• Keep frame rates consistent. Early on I mixed 25fps and 50fps clips without thinking, and editing them together was painful. Pick one frame rate based on what you're shooting and stick with it.
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• Buying too much gear too soon. I spent money on stabilisers when I didn’t need them. A steady handheld shot or tripod would have been more than enough.
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• And finally, don’t overcomplicate things. For years I thought video had to feel “epic.” Some of the best things I’ve made recently are simple, almost documentary-style clips.

Why it's worth it

Even if you never sell video services, learning how video works is one of the most useful skills you can add as a photographer.

It gives you new ways to share your work, it makes your online presence stronger and it even helps when you collaborate with videographers.

It isn’t about replacing photography.

It’s about adding another way to tell stories & becoming more valuable in this creator era!

btw...

I’ve been writing Captured every week for a few years now.

If you’d like to support the newsletter, I’ve set up a virtual tip jar.

It’s a small way to help keep this going while I keep sharing these newsletters with you.

Catch you next week,

Matty 📷 🚀

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Whenever you're ready, there are 2 more ways I can help you:​

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📸 My Photography Course – Learn the fundamentals & take pro-level shots with my beginner course.

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🎨 Level Up Your Edits – Make your photos pop instantly with my Lightroom presets.

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