6 essential tips for shooting vertical videos with @inyourfayes

Why Shooting Vertical Video is a Game-Changer

@inyourfayes shares her top tips for shooting vertical videos like a pro! With short-form content dominating social media, mastering the 9:16 aspect ratio is essential for grabbing attention and keeping audiences engaged. Unlike landscape video, vertical content is designed for mobile-first viewing - meaning composition, framing, and camera movement all need a fresh approach.

“Short-form vertical content has completely changed the game. Whether it’s a quick tutorial or the behind-the-scenes of your photoshoot, these video’s have the power to reach millions of eyeballs. I’m going to walk you through the essentials for shooting vertical footage with your camera.”

Here’s everything you need to know to nail your next vertical video shoot.

1. Picking the Perfect Camera

First things first - your camera. Canon EOS R50V is built for creators, featuring advanced movie capabilities, a compact design, and a side screw for vertical tripod mounting which is a game-changer for stability. Plus, its flip-out screen lets you monitor your shots from any angle.

2. Making the Most of the 9:16 Ratio

Framing is everything when shooting vertically. It might feel different at first, but follow these tips to get it right:

• Keep your subject centred for a natural and engaging shot.
• Use the rule of thirds to create balanced and dynamic compositions.
• Turn on your camera’s grid lines to keep everything aligned.
• Experiment with off-centre framing for a more dynamic and exciting.

3. Shoot wider for flexibility

Sometimes you want to spice up your video just a little more with text or visuals. To make this process go smoothly, shoot a bit wider! That way you’ve got space to add in text, subtitles, or other cool visuals without cramming them into the corners of your shot.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Leave safe zones for captions and on-screen graphics.
• Give yourself room to crop in postproduction - cropping is much easier than stretching footage.

4. Choosing the Right Focal Length

Bringing the right focal lengths to your shoot plays a huge role in how your footage looks, and the 9:16 ratio offers a unique opportunity to get creative. Even though the Canon R50V is super lightweight, it still lets you swap out lenses to get that perfect shot.

Wide-angle lenses allow you to show off an entire scene, giving you plenty of space to work with. Just be mindful of distortion, as it can create some funky-looking shots. A standard focal length like 35mm or 50mm is ideal for portraits, keeping your subject natural-looking without any warping. Whether you're filming from further away or capturing a close-up, these lenses ensure a clean, balanced look.

The RF-S 14-30mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ kit lens from the R50V offers a wide range of focal lengths, making it perfect for fast and dynamic shooting—all without needing to change lenses.

5. Tripod or Handheld? Stabilisation Matters

Here’s where it gets interesting: stabilising your shots. A tripod such as Canon HG100-TBR gives your footage a more cohesive and polished look, while handheld shooting makes it easier to switch between shots, adding a fun, dynamic feel. Want to take your handheld shots to the next level? Try a vertical cage! These handy setups let you attach handles for better stability and even mount a monitor for a clearer view of your footage.

6. Lighting & Depth of Field: Make Your Subject Pop

Lighting is everything when it comes to creating mood and atmosphere in your videos. There are endless ways to approach this, but the most important thing is adjusting your lighting for the vertical frame. When posting to social media, you want your subject to stand out. Lighting also affects depth of field; a darker background helps your subject pop, creating that cinematic look we all love. Sometimes, the most unexpected lighting setups produce the coolest shots so don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun!

What makes creating videos so special is that every video is unique to you. Whether you’re trying new techniques or just having fun, there’s always more to learn about vertical video creation. But with these essential tips, you’re set up for success on your next big project!

Put These Tips to the Test & Win!

Ready to show off your vertical video skills? Put these techniques into action and enter our SEE MORE video competition for a chance to win! Find out more here.