Who remembers when it was seen as ‘basic’ and super ‘amateur’ to shoot vertical videos? Imagine if KSI got famous from shooting at 9:16!

Thankfully, we’ve moved on and vertical video is all the rage

Partly down to the vertical nature of platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, if we want to be relevant on these platforms then we have to play by their rules.

Whilst it might seem simple to swap between horizontal and vertical video, there is actually a lot we have to consider.

Scroll down for 3 killer tips for making amazing vertical videos 👇

1. Don’t forget to use the rule of thirds

Okay okay, you’re right. This is a tip that goes without saying for shooting at any ratio. But, it becomes even more important when you’re creating vertical videos.

What happens is that by using the rule of thirds, you will find creative opportunities to split your screen and create unique videos.

The way you frame your subject vertically is always different to horizontally and using the grids on your iPhone (for example) is a really easy way to make sure everything is lined up and still looks professional.

2. Don’t be scared to shoot a close-up

Vertical video allows us to get nice and close to our subjects without ruining the quality or the shot.

Whether you are shooting a person, some food or even the landscape, the 9:16 aspect ratio will give you endless opportunities.

We love getting the detail into vertical videos and using both pan and zoom motions to create engaging short videos that keep our viewers hooked.

3. Make sure to leave space for text and emojis

A lot of the time, you will be shooting vertical videos for social media purposes. As much as you might love the first-edit versions of your videos, there is no denying that text and emojis will help boost the performance of your video.

For you to be able to make the most of the opportunity, make sure you leave space in key areas around the frame for text to be added. This could be across the top of the shot or even in the bottom left corner (for example).

Text can really help bring your videos extra detail that otherwise would have to sit in a caption. Instagram Reels have shown us how aesthetically-aligned text added to videos can boost performance and provide a new dimension creatively too.

You should definitely give it a try!

Whilst our list of tips is not exhaustive, they will all help you shoot better vertical videos no matter what your niche or subject is. From behind-the-scenes videos to product shoots and even recording your boss doing a TikTok dance, you’ll be operating at a higher level in no time.

If you’d like more information about vertical videos or how to get the best out of your videos on social media, get in touch with our specialists today 🙌