Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about Instagram being a *video app.* As a photographer, I think that means we need to talk, but it may not be the conversation you’re expecting. 📹

Yes, I have feelings on the subject, but it seems to me that we have an opportunity! We can either adapt or we can complain, but let’s get the full picture before we decide, okay?

The reason video content performs so well isn’t just because of the A-word.* Brand video content performs well because we watch it. It’s engaging! 

Sure, it’s easier to consume it than produce it, but you can’t avoid the facts. 

Thanks to Instagram’s analytics, we’ve had proof of video being more engaging than still photos since Instagram Stories were released. We ALL watch story videos! 

That’s not to say that photos don’t have a place anymore. Photos will ALWAYS be relevant — just maybe in different places and to accomplish different goals. 

There are things you can achieve with brand photos that you can’t with brand video and vice versa.

the truth about photography + how videography differs: 

When I’m working with clients, I encourage them to take action and move around. Of course, when they get the photos back, what you see is a split second in time! You don’t see the whole action. 

That means, we’re relying on you to have the perfect smile and pose at the exact same time I press the shutter on my camera. 

With brand video, the only adjustment we make is that we capture the whole story — the beginning, middle, and end. And, while you may feel more pressure than you have with photography, I’m willing to bet it’s because you’re overthinking the action especially when it comes to creating 7-second videos for Instagram!

4 tips to keep you feeling camera-ready:

1. Take an “everything is content” approach to writing a list of things you do often in your business. 
2. Be real. You don’t have to give bubbly (or serious) energy 100% of the time. 
3. Break the ice. You may be recording the whole time, but you won’t use every second of that recording. Shake off the nerves with a private dance party, tell a joke, take a deep breath, sip your coffee, and trust your videographer. 
4. If you are talking, talk to a person! Phones are far less engaging.

Let’s explore a few brand video examples:

Example 1. Rebecca Cafiero

Rebecca, a marketing mentor and PR strategist, and I started incorporating brand video almost a year ago. When we capture a moment, we capture it as a photo AND a video. Now, she has the flexibility to use that one moment in multiple ways.

Ex 2. Erika Cruz

To capture Erika’s morning routine as a Latina coach and speaker, I focused on capturing still images and Topher Hammond, a professional videographer and battery charger, focused on recording brand video. Erika can use the brand photos across her marketing platforms and videos for b-roll online, on social, in digital courses, and more! 

Ex 3. Cook Smarts

When the Cook Smarts meal planning team and I are together we are hyper-focused on REEL content that’s REAL easy. We are always taking photos pointing to negative space that they can use to add legible text for social media. When we add brand video into the mix, we get lots of fun, personality-filled videos that allow the team to add text that moves around the frame! 

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If there’s anything you take away from this blog, it’s this: THIS IS ONE FORM OF MULTITASKING THAT WORKS! 🎥 

Photography and videography are two creative, necessary tools you can use to engage your followers, leads, and clients. While you’re camera-ready, why not capture both forms of content? 

If you’re ready to create twice the content in one session, let’s chat. We’ll work together to capture the photos and videos you need to quickly fill your marketing content calendar!