Filming Tips

Icon of a flower vase with three flowers and leaves, set against a pink circular background.

Capture the little things.

Not just the big moments. Think textures, like the decorations, the details of the venue, the table settings, the flowers. Those small visual moments add so much richness to the final film and are so easy to forget in the moment.

Icon of a film clapperboard with a play button, overlayed on a pink circle with a dark gray background.

Try to film horizontally whenever possible.

It gives us the most flexibility when editing your final film.

Weather icon showing a partly cloudy day with the sun and clouds, and a pink background element.

Think about your light.

Light makes all the difference. If you want to see someone's face clearly, make sure the light source is in front of them. If the light is behind them, you'll get a beautiful silhouette, which can look amazing too, just know the difference before you press record.

Sound wave graphic in white with a pink circle background.

Sound matters more than you think.

Laughter, toasts, conversations, background chaos. Those sounds are what bring the memory back. If someone's talking to the camera, step away from the speakers so we can hear them.

Illustration of a stopwatch with a pink background

Let moments breathe.

Try to hold on a moment for 10–20 seconds instead of quick clips.

Two speech bubbles with question marks inside, overlapping, on a pink circular background.

Channel your inner “Aunt Barb”.

This is our favourite tip. Point the camera at people and ask them questions. What's your name? How do you know the birthday girl? What are we celebrating today? How are you feeling right now? Those little interviews are pure gold and give the final film so much personality and heart.

A VHS tape with a label that reads 'VIDEO CASSETTE' and a purple and white design, with the number '4' on the right side.

SHOT LIST IDEAS:

Establish the vibe

Wide shots of the venue, inside and out, before the chaos begins.

Get the details

Florals, table settings, signage, food, textures. The things that made this event feel like this event.

Video cassette tape with labels for 'Video Cassette' and a blank space for writing.

Catch the arrivals

First hugs, first reactions, guests walking in.

Go candid

People laughing, talking, completely unaware of the camera. The real stuff.

Ask questions

Point the camera at someone and ask them anything. How do you know her? What year is it? How are you feeling right now? Those clips make the final film.

Don't miss the main moment

The speech, the cake, the first dance, the big surprise. Whatever it is, be ready.

Get the reactions

Faces in the crowd during the big moments are often the most beautiful shots in the whole film.

Find the quiet

Two people talking in the corner, someone taking it all in. The stillness matters too.

Stay until the end

Late night energy, last dances, long goodbyes. Events always end with something worth keeping.