What doing b-roll videos has taught me
B-roll videos. You’ve seen them, those background videos on Instagram with writing over them. The ones that fill out the story in your favourite films and videos, making everything feel more real, more alive.
Initially, I used to do them when I was doing a brand video just to add a bit of context to the main video, but over time, I’ve come to see these clips as the unsung heroes of my video projects.
Here’s what shooting B-roll has taught me about video production, storytelling, and even a bit about life.
It’s All in the Details
B-roll has opened my eyes to the beauty of details.
Capturing the steam rising from a cup of coffee or the focused expression of someone at work adds layers to content. These shots are now a story in themselves. Something you can share on Instagram or TikTok quite easily and I love how pretty they can be.
They’re the feelings added to what might otherwise be quite a bland informational post.
Preparation Meets Opportunity
You might think B-roll is just about catching random moments, but there’s a lot of preparation involved. I’ve learned to anticipate where and when those moments might arise. Having my gear ready and understanding the context means I’m always prepared to capture the magic when opportunity knocks.
But more than that. I’m always looking for little ways that tell a story in the background.
Storytelling from Different Angles
Shooting B-roll has taught me to tell a story from multiple angles. Seeing things from different perspectives can turn an ordinary video into a compelling narrative that resonates more deeply with the audience.
I’m usually looking for a different way to look at the thing I’m videoing. Framing it with something like a doorway, or through some plants. I’ll look to make something blurry in the foreground so that the thing I’m focusing on is more obvious.
Patience Pays Off
Sometimes, getting that perfect B-roll shot means waiting for the clouds to part or for a crowd to hit just the right composition. Patience has been my greatest teacher in achieving the shots I envision, teaching me that sometimes, the best things come to those who wait.
Other times I’ve just literally been in the right place.
Editing is Where the Magic Happens
I try to keep it all as simple as possible.
Shooting with my professional camera; I download everything to Dropbox, so that I can then open them up on my iPad where I’d edit them.
I use the Capcut app to do all the editing.
At one point I used to use Adobe Premier Pro – but because I simply need to remove the sound, maybe brighten them up and sharpen them. There’s no need to do it on my desktop. Keep it really simple so that you can do it quickly and without hassle.
The Joy of Discovery
The most fun part? Discovering unexpected places that I’ve found B-roll. Sometimes, a spontaneous shot can become a really lovely video, turning what used to be a background into a standout feature.
Shooting B-roll has not just made my content better; it’s deepened my appreciation for the often-overlooked moments that can make a narrative truly memorable.
And when you’re ready, here are three other ways that I can help you:
1) Visit my blog for tips on VISIBILITY.
Every week I discuss strategies to improve your visibility, get over your fear of visibility and my latest shoots. Read more on the blog
2) Plan a bespoke photoshoot.
We can plan a shoot based on what you actually need (read all about it) or you could join me at a Branding Day Photoshoot.
3) Join ‘Visibility School’.
Visibility school is a membership group where you get 12 months of photoshoots, a fab little Facebook group and lots of bonus content too (new for 2024 members) . Read about Visibility School
