Should You Film Video in Portrait or Landscape?
At the top of this blog, you’ve just watched a vlog from Dan, one of the videographers at Yellow Lizard Media, answering a question we hear regularly: should you film your video in portrait or landscape?
The answer is not quite as simple as choosing the one that looks best.
It depends on where your video will be shared, how your audience will watch it and whether you want to use the content across several platforms.
Start with where your video will be watched
Before choosing how to frame your video, think about where the finished content is going to live.
A video created for your website will usually need a different format from one designed for Instagram Reels or TikTok. If you know which platforms you are targeting before filming begins, your videographer can compose each shot with those formats in mind.
This helps you avoid awkward crops, missing graphics and the occasional disappearing arm when the video is resized later.
When should you film in portrait?
Portrait video is designed to fill the screen of a mobile phone.
It is generally the best choice for:
- Instagram Reels
- TikTok
- Facebook Reels
- YouTube Shorts
- Vertical social media adverts
- Instagram and Facebook Stories
Most people watch this content while holding their phone upright, so a portrait video uses the entire screen without asking them to rotate their device.
This makes portrait content ideal for quick tips, short interviews, product demonstrations, behind the scenes clips and videos designed to grab attention while someone is scrolling.
When should you film in landscape?
Landscape video remains the strongest option for content viewed on websites, laptops, televisions and larger screens.
It works particularly well for:
- YouTube videos
- Website content
- Brand and promotional videos
- Case studies and testimonials
- Presentations
- Conference screens
- Training and internal communications
A landscape frame gives you more room to show locations, products, team members and supporting details. It can also create a more cinematic feel, particularly when the setting or action around your subject is an important part of the story.
If your video is going to sit proudly on your website or be shown during a presentation, landscape will usually feel more natural.
Can you film in portrait and landscape at the same time?
Absolutely, and there are a couple of ways to approach it.
The first option is to use two cameras, with one filming in landscape and another filming in portrait. This gives you footage specifically composed for each format and allows both cameras to capture the best possible frame.
It is particularly useful for interviews, podcasts, product demonstrations and talking to camera videos where you already know the content will be used across several platforms.
The second option is to film in a high resolution format such as 4K, keeping the subject close to the centre of the landscape frame. During editing, a portrait version can then be cropped from the original footage.
This can work brilliantly, but it needs to be planned properly. If the subject is positioned too far to one side, or important details sit around the edges of the frame, they may disappear when the footage is converted into portrait.
Frame every shot with both formats in mind
Creating portrait and landscape versions is about more than simply pressing the crop button.
Your video production company should consider where the subject is standing, what is happening in the background and where text or graphics will appear. There also needs to be enough space around the subject to create a portrait crop without making the finished shot feel uncomfortably tight.
Captions are another important consideration. Text that looks perfectly positioned in a landscape video may cover someone’s face or fall outside the visible area in portrait.
Planning these details during filming makes it much easier to create professional versions for every platform during the edit.
Choose the right approach for your content
Not every shoot needs two cameras, and not every video needs to be delivered in both formats.
If you are filming a detailed company video primarily for your website, landscape might be all you need. If the content is being created specifically for TikTok or Instagram, filming directly in portrait could be the better option.
However, if the shoot is part of a wider video marketing campaign, capturing both formats can give you far more flexibility.
One landscape video could sit on your website or YouTube channel, while several portrait clips are shared across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. The message remains consistent, but the presentation is adapted to suit how people use each platform.
Get more value from every video shoot
Filming with multiple platforms in mind can help one shoot produce a much wider collection of content.
Alongside your main video, you could create:
- Short portrait clips for social media
- Landscape videos for your website
- Quick tips and frequently asked questions
- Video adverts in different formats
- Behind the scenes content
- Short previews directing viewers to the full video
This gives your business a useful bank of professional footage without needing to organise a separate shoot for every channel.
It also makes your video marketing more consistent, as every version is captured with the same lighting, location, presenter and overall visual style.
Final thoughts
So, should you film in portrait or landscape?
Portrait is ideal for mobile first platforms and short social media content, while landscape is usually better for websites, YouTube, presentations and larger screens. If you want your content to work across both, you can use two cameras or carefully frame high resolution footage so it can be cropped during editing.
The key is deciding where the content will be used before you press record. A little planning at the beginning can prevent problems later and help you get much more from your shoot.
At Yellow Lizard Media, we help businesses plan, film and edit content for websites, social media and wider video marketing campaigns. Whether you need portrait videos, landscape videos or a mixture of both, we will make sure everything is framed correctly from the start. If you would like to discuss your next project, get in touch to book a chat.
At Yellow Lizard Media, every event tells a different story. From the presentations on stage to the conversations happening over coffee, there are countless moments that deserve to be captured. Our latest behind the scenes video takes you inside a MINT Marketing Network event in St Albans, where we documented a day full of learning, networking, and collaboration.
MINT Marketing Network is a collective of independent marketing specialists who come together to share ideas, solve challenges, and support one another. As a video production company, our role was to capture not just what happened throughout the day, but the atmosphere that makes these events so valuable.
Capturing the Presentations
The day featured a range of insightful presentations from experienced marketing professionals, each sharing their expertise with the audience. As our videographer team worked throughout the venue, we focused on capturing each speaker in a way that was both engaging and professional.
These presentations provide valuable content long after the event has finished, allowing MINT Marketing Network to continue sharing knowledge with members who could not attend while also promoting future events through effective video marketing.
Bringing the Networking to Life
One of the biggest strengths of MINT Marketing Network is the community it has built. Throughout the day there were plenty of opportunities for members to connect, exchange ideas, and build new relationships.
Rather than simply filming people talking, we wanted to capture the energy of the room. The natural conversations, friendly introductions, and genuine interactions all help tell the story of what makes these events special. As a video production company, these authentic moments are often the most powerful part of the final edit.
Hearing from the Attendees
To give viewers an even better insight into the event, Eva from Amber Mountain Marketing interviewed a number of attendees and speakers throughout the day.
These vox pops allowed people to share their experiences, explain what they had learned, and talk about how MINT Marketing Network has helped both their businesses and professional development. The honest feedback adds authenticity to the content and demonstrates the real value that comes from attending these events.
For any videographer, capturing genuine reactions like these helps create content that feels relatable, engaging, and trustworthy.
30 Seconds With… Emily Walker from ECW Digital
Half way through the event, we also caught up with Emily Walker from ECW Digital for another episode of our 30 Seconds With… series.
In this short interview, Emily explains why video has become such an important part of website SEO and how businesses can use video to improve user engagement, increase the time visitors spend on their website, and ultimately help boost their online visibility.
It is a great reminder that video marketing is not just about creating content for social media. Professionally produced videos can become valuable assets across your entire website, helping both your customers and your search engine performance.
Another Great Day Behind the Camera
Filming events like this is always enjoyable because every project is built around real people and genuine conversations. From capturing informative presentations to documenting networking and filming insightful interviews, the day showcased everything that makes MINT Marketing Network such a valuable community for marketing professionals.
Our behind the scenes video offers a fun glimpse into how we work while also showing the planning, creativity, and teamwork that goes into every shoot. Whether we are filming conferences, networking events, interviews, or brand content, our goal is always the same: to create engaging videos that help our clients get the most from their video marketing.
If you are looking for a videographer or a video production company to capture your next event or create engaging content for your business, we would love to hear from you.
Why Audio Matters More Than You Think
In this vodcast, Scott Dymond and Dan Gibbons from Yellow Lizard Media dive into all things audio, breaking down a crucial (and often overlooked) part of video production. Drawing on their experience as a video production company, they explain why great audio is just as important, if not more so, than visuals when it comes to effective video marketing, and how poor sound can quickly undermine even the best-looking footage.
Essential Audio Equipment and Planning Ahead
They explore the different types of equipment they use as a videographer team, from lapel microphones and shotgun mics to audio recorders and on-camera solutions. Scott and Dan discuss how they help clients plan ahead to ensure audio is captured cleanly and consistently from the start. They also highlight the importance of preparation, from location, testing sound levels and identifying potential background noise issues before filming begins.
Techniques, Challenges, and Post-Production Tips
They share simple but effective techniques for getting the best results, including mic placement, monitoring audio properly, and avoiding common mistakes like relying on in-camera microphones or overlooking environmental factors. Alongside this, they discuss the types of challenges you’re likely to face, such as wind noise, echo, interference, or unpredictable surroundings, and how to minimise or completely avoid them with the right approach. Scott and Dan also go into detail on improving audio during post-production, offering insight into how a video production company can enhance sound quality through editing.
A Practical Guide to Better Audio for Video
Overall, this vodcast is a practical, straight-talking guide to capturing better audio for video, packed with useful advice for businesses, content creators, and anyone looking to improve their video marketing. Delivered in Yellow Lizard Media’s approachable, no-nonsense style, it gives you the knowledge and confidence to take your audio from an afterthought to a key part of your production process.
Got a video in the pipeline?
If you need any help with your video projects or video marketing get in touch to book in a free chat.
How One Video Shoot Can Create Months of Content
At the top of this blog, you’ve just watched a vlog from Dan, one of the videographers at Yellow Lizard Media, explaining how businesses can stop scrambling for something to post every week by creating an entire library of content from one video shoot.
Because if you’re already bringing in the cameras, lights and crew, why create just one video?
Start with a content plan
Before you hit record, think beyond the first video you want to produce.
Start with one core topic, such as a service you provide, a product you sell or an area of your expertise. This could become your main long-form video, giving your audience a useful overview of the subject.
From there, break the topic down into smaller sections that can work as individual videos. A single detailed discussion could give you several shorter clips, each answering a different question or focusing on one specific benefit.
A little planning before the shoot can turn one idea into an entire bank of useful content.
Create content in different formats
Your audience will not always consume content in the same way.
Some people will happily watch a detailed video on your website or YouTube channel, while others prefer a quick tip on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok. Capturing content with different platforms in mind allows you to create:
- Long-form videos
- Short social media clips
- Reels and vertical videos
- Frequently asked question videos
- Quick tips and advice
- Website and email content
We can even capture footage in portrait and landscape formats during the same shoot, giving you content that works across multiple platforms without awkwardly cropping someone’s head out of the frame.
Answer your customers’ questions
Frequently asked questions are a goldmine for video content.
Think about the questions your customers regularly ask before buying from you. These could be about your process, pricing, timescales, products or what it is like to work with your team.
Recording several short answers during the same shoot gives you useful content that can be shared individually over weeks or months. It also helps potential customers understand your business and feel more confident before getting in touch.
You already know the answers, so there is no need to write an Oscar-winning script. Just keep it natural, helpful and clear.
Capture plenty of B-roll
B-roll is the supporting footage that helps bring your videos to life.
This might include:
- Your team working
- Conversations with clients
- Close-ups of your products
- Your office or facilities
- Equipment being used
- Behind-the-scenes moments
These clips can be used in your main video, but they also become valuable assets for future social posts, adverts, presentations and website content.
A strong library of B-roll means you do not need to organise a new shoot every time you want to create something. You already have professional footage ready to go.
Do not forget the behind-the-scenes content
People enjoy seeing how things are made, particularly when it shows the personality behind a business.
Behind-the-scenes clips, setup footage and even the occasional outtake can make your brand feel more relatable. Not every piece of content needs to be perfectly polished. Sometimes the moments between takes are the ones audiences connect with most.
This type of content is also easy to capture while filming your main videos, so it gives you even more value without taking over the day.
Turn one shoot into more than video
The value of a content shoot does not stop with the videos themselves.
Your recorded conversations can be turned into blog articles, email content, social media posts and website copy. Quotes can become graphics, longer answers can inspire future articles and individual clips can support marketing campaigns throughout the year.
With the right planning, one shoot can provide the foundation for an entire content campaign rather than one video that is posted once and quietly forgotten about.
Final thoughts
Creating a library of content saves time, keeps your messaging consistent and makes showing up online much easier.
Instead of starting from scratch every week, you have a bank of professional footage ready to edit, reuse and share across your website, social media channels and marketing campaigns.
In short, work smarter, not harder. Let one well-planned shoot power your content for weeks or even months.
At Yellow Lizard Media, we help businesses plan and produce content libraries that include long-form videos, social clips, FAQs, behind-the-scenes footage and plenty of reusable B-roll. If you would like to get more from your next video shoot, get in touch to book a chat.
At Yellow Lizard Media, we love giving people a glimpse into what happens behind the camera. While the finished videos are always the star of the show, there is a lot that goes into creating engaging content that helps our clients connect with their audience.
One of our long standing partnerships is with HBD, a trusted window and door installation company based in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Over the years, we have worked together on a wide range of projects, helping them showcase their products, people, and customer experiences through effective video marketing. This latest behind the scenes video captures one of our showroom filming days and highlights how we bring professional content to life in a fun and authentic way.
Creating Customer Case Study Videos
One of the key projects we regularly deliver for HBD is a series of customer case study videos. These involve sitting down with homeowners who have recently had windows or doors installed and hearing first hand about their experience working with HBD.
As a video production company, these projects are all about storytelling. We capture genuine conversations with customers before filming the finished products within their homes. This combination of personal experiences and high quality visuals helps build trust and gives potential customers confidence in choosing HBD.
Over the years, we have produced dozens of these case studies, each one providing valuable content that supports HBD’s wider video marketing strategy.
Filming Product Videos in the Showroom
The focus of this particular shoot was HBD’s impressive showroom in St Albans. The showroom provides the perfect environment to showcase the wide range of products available, allowing customers to see the quality and features up close.
Our videographer team spent the day capturing detailed product footage, walkthrough videos, and engaging visual content designed to educate and inspire potential customers. These videos help HBD demonstrate the benefits of their products while giving viewers a better understanding of what they can expect when visiting the showroom.
From careful camera movements to capturing the finer details of each installation, every shot is planned to ensure the final videos look polished, professional, and informative.
Showcasing the People Behind the Brand
We did a quick fire 30 seconds video with Hannah from HBD asking her why she uses video marketing as part of her strategy and the benefits our video projects have brought to her. Watch the video above to see Scott, one of our videographers at Yellow lizard – video production chatting to HBD’s marketing manager.
A Fun Look Behind the Camera
This behind the scenes video offers a light hearted look at what happens during one of our filming days. While there is plenty of planning, technical setup, and attention to detail involved, there is also a lot of laughter and collaboration along the way.
Working closely with the HBD team allows us to create an enjoyable filming environment while maintaining the professional standards needed to produce high quality results. It is this balance that helps us consistently create content that delivers value and supports long term video marketing success.
Our partnership with HBD continues to grow, and it is always a pleasure to help bring their story, products, and customer experiences to life through video.
If you are looking for a videographer or a video production company to help create engaging content for your business, and want to see how video marketing can support your goals, we would love to hear from you.
Why Planning Is the Key to Video Success
In this vodcast, Scott Dymond and Dan Gibbons from Yellow Lizard Media focus on one of the most important stages of any successful project, planning your video before the cameras even roll. Drawing on their experience as a video production company, they break down why strong preparation is the foundation of effective video marketing, and how getting this stage right can save time, money, and a lot of headaches later on.
Defining Purpose, Audience, and Strategy
They explore the key questions every business should be asking at the very start, from defining the purpose of the video and identifying your target audience, to deciding what success actually looks like. Scott and Dan explain how they work with clients to shape ideas into clear, actionable concepts, ensuring the final video not only looks great but delivers real results. They also cover the importance of messaging, tone of voice, and how to make sure your content aligns with your wider brand and marketing strategy.
Pre-Production Essentials and Workflow
The conversation then moves into the practical side of pre-production, where they outline the essential steps a videographer and production team go through before filming begins. This includes scripting or structuring your content, planning locations, organising contributors, and creating shot lists that keep the shoot efficient and focused.
Avoiding Common Planning Mistakes
Scott and Dan also share insights into common mistakes businesses make when planning video content, such as jumping in without a clear objective or underestimating the time and coordination required. They explain how a video production company can guide you through this process, helping you make informed decisions and avoid wasting budget on content that doesn’t hit the mark.
A Clear Roadmap for Better Video Content
Overall, this vodcast is a practical, no-nonsense guide to planning video content properly, packed with advice for businesses looking to get more out of their video marketing. Delivered in Yellow Lizard Media’s straightforward and approachable style, it gives you a clear roadmap to follow so when filming day arrives, everything runs smoothly and your video has the best chance of success.
Got a video in the pipeline?
Whether you know exactly what you want or you’re still defining your strategy, we’d love to help you plan something brilliant. Get in touch to book in a free chat.
At Yellow Lizard Media, we’re usually the ones helping other people feel confident in front of the camera. But recently, it was our turn to step into the spotlight as we filmed our very first vodcast.
For years we’ve been told the same thing: “You guys should be in front of the camera more.”
So we finally took the leap and made it happen.
What followed was a day full of setup, laughs, last-minute tweaks, and ultimately something we’re proud of.
Stepping in Front of the Camera
Even though we spend our lives producing content for others, being on the other side of the lens felt completely different.
This vodcast was about challenging ourselves, stepping outside of our comfort zone, and showing what it looks like when we practice what we preach.
The Setup: Turning the Studio into a Vodcast Space
We’ve included two behind-the-scenes videos from the day so you can see exactly how it all came together. From lighting adjustments to camera placement, audio checks, framing decisions and last-minute rethinks, this was a proper hands-on production day.
It’s easy to watch a finished vodcast and forget how many moving parts go into making it feel effortless. These BTS clips show the reality behind the polish.
The Main Event: Our First Vodcast
The finished vodcast is now live and marks a big milestone for us as a business.
It represents more than just a new content format it’s a step forward in how we communicate, create, and connect with audiences.
You can watch it on our YouTube channel.
Now We Offer This to Our Clients
Since producing our own vodcast, we’ve already rolled this format out for two clients and both have gone down brilliantly.
The feedback has been fantastic. Clients have loved the relaxed, conversational style, and the ability to create long-form content that feels natural, engaging, and versatile across platforms.
This has quickly become another service we’re proud to offer:
- Branded vodcast production
- Studio or on-location setup
- Full filming and editing support
- Content repurposing for social media
If you’ve been thinking about doing something similar for your brand, then let’s chat! We can help you bring it to life.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just a video shoot for us it was a milestone.
We pushed ourselves creatively, learned a lot in the process, and came away even more confident in what we can deliver for our clients.
And if this is what our first vodcast looks like… we’re excited for what’s next.
How Video Marketing Can Transform Your Business Online
At the top of this blog, you’ve just watched a vlog from Dan, one of the videographers at Yellow Lizard Media, where he breaks down something every modern business should be paying attention to: how video marketing can completely change the way your brand performs online.
Because video isn’t just content anymore it’s a growth engine.
Video grabs attention instantly
We’re all scrolling faster than ever. Feeds are crowded, competition is high, and attention is limited.
Video is what stops the scroll.
Whether it’s on social media, your website, or in paid ads, professionally produced promotional video content consistently keeps people watching for longer and engaging more deeply with your brand. It’s immediate, visual, and far more compelling than static content.
Video builds trust and human connection
People don’t just buy products or services they buy from people they trust.
Video helps you build that trust faster than almost any other medium. When audiences see:
- Real faces
- Real stories
- Real emotion
That’s why brand storytelling through video works so well. It humanises your business and helps potential customers feel confident in choosing you.
Video increases conversions
If you’re using video on landing pages, sales pages, or product pages, you’re already ahead of the curve. A well-planned product video can demonstrate features, benefits and real-world uses in a format that is easy to digest.
Studies show that video content can increase conversion rates by up to 80%, meaning more enquiries, more sales, and a stronger return on investment from your marketing efforts.
When people understand your offer quickly and clearly, they’re far more likely to take action.
Video boosts your SEO performance
Search engines love video content.
Websites that include video are significantly more likely to rank on Google, helping your business gain:
- More visibility
- More organic traffic
- More opportunities to be discovered
If content marketing and SEO are part of your strategy, video isn’t optional it should be central to it.
Video improves message retention
One of the biggest advantages of video is how well people remember it.
Viewers retain up to 95% of a message when they watch it in video form, compared to just 10% when reading text.
That difference is huge when you’re trying to stand out in a competitive market and stay top of mind with your audience.
Final thoughts
If you’re serious about growing your business online, video marketing isn’t something to consider later it’s something to implement now.
It helps you capture attention, build trust, increase conversions, improve SEO, and make your message memorable.
In short, professional video production isn’t just a marketing asset anymore. It’s essential for businesses that want to stand out and scale.
At Yellow Lizard Media, we create professional video that helps businesses tell their story, explain their offer and connect with the right audience. If you would like to explore what your next video project can acheive, get in touch to book a chat.
In this vodcast, Yellow Lizard Media sit down with Jeremy Banks Photography to talk about why videographers and photographers work so well together on commercial shoots, and how businesses can benefit from having both services aligned from the very beginning of a project. Drawing from years of experience across events, corporate productions, brand campaigns, and marketing content, the conversation gives an honest look into how collaboration behind the scenes can lead to stronger results for clients.
The discussion explores the practical advantages of combining photography and video production into one streamlined process. They explain how working as a team helps businesses save time on shoot days, maintain consistency across their marketing assets, and create images and promotional video content that work effectively across websites, social media, and wider marketing campaigns.
Alongside the professional insights, the vodcast also dives into some of the funny and unpredictable moments that come with working in the creative industry. From challenging shoot environments and unexpected interruptions to memorable client moments, the conversation offers a light-hearted look at the reality of working on location as a video production company and commercial photographer.
The episode also touches on the types of businesses and clients they enjoy working with most. Whether it’s brands looking to improve their online presence through professional video marketing, companies needing consistent visual content, or organisations wanting both photography and video captured efficiently during the same project, the team explain where their combined approach delivers the most value. You can also explore Yellow Lizard Media’s previous video projects to see how professional content can be adapted for different businesses, sectors and campaigns.
Overall, the vodcast is an insightful and entertaining conversation about collaboration, creativity, and why pairing an experienced photographer with a professional videographer can make a real difference for businesses investing in high-quality content creation.
Vox Pops? What Even is a Vox Pop?!
In this vodcast, Scott Dymond and Dan Gibbons from Yellow Lizard Media take a deep dive into the world of vox pops, sharing practical advice drawn from their experience as a video production company working across a range of clients and industries.
The conversation explores what vox pops are, why they can be such a powerful tool in promotional video production, and how brands can use them to capture authentic, unscripted opinions that genuinely connect with audiences.
Planning an Effective Vox Pop Shoot
They break down the full process of creating effective vox pops, starting with the planning stage. From choosing the right location and setting clear objectives, to crafting questions that encourage natural, engaging responses, Scott and Dan explain how the prep work can make or break your shoot.
They also share how they support clients in shaping their ideas, ensuring the content aligns with wider marketing goals while still feeling spontaneous and real.
Filming Vox Pops on Location
The discussion then moves into the practical side of production, where they outline the key considerations a videographer needs to think about on the day.
This includes selecting the right equipment such as cameras, microphones, and lighting setups to ensure high-quality audio and visuals, even in unpredictable environments.
They also touch on techniques for approaching contributors, keeping people comfortable on camera, and capturing usable, dynamic footage efficiently.
Are Vox Pops Right for Your Business?
As well as the benefits, Scott and Dan are honest about when vox pops might not be the right approach.
They explore scenarios where this style of content may fall short, helping businesses make informed decisions about whether it fits their video marketing strategy.
To round things off, they share their thoughts on the “ideal vox pop” contributor and what makes responses stand out, offering valuable insight for anyone looking to get the most out of this format.
Overall, the vodcast is a practical, no-nonsense guide for businesses and marketers considering vox pops, delivered with the down-to-earth, approachable style that Yellow Lizard Media is known for.
Considering Vox Pops for Your Next Video?
Vox pops can be a great way to capture authentic opinions, add personality to your content and bring real voices into your marketing.
Yellow Lizard Media can help you plan, film and edit vox pop content that feels natural while still supporting your wider campaign goals. Explore our video production services or get in touch to discuss whether vox pops are the right fit for your next project.