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You may have noticed we post the occasional video—about 80 or so if you count everything on our video page.
Like the Photoshop tips post, I wanted to share how we make our videos because several readers and fellow bloggers asked for guidance. We’re not professionals—just hobbyists who have learned by doing—but these practical tips might help you capture better family moments or incorporate video into your blog.
If you want the quick summary up front, here it is:
- I’ve been making videos casually for about 15 years—lots of practice, still a hobby.
- No need for expensive gear. Many of our clips were shot on a $99 Flip camera.
- Treat video like photography: good lighting and a steady camera matter.
- iMovie is our default editor—simple and included with Macs.
- We find much of our music on Jamendo under Creative Commons licenses.
- Keep it simple. Avoid overusing flashy effects and sound FX.
- Use an organization system that works for you and be selective about what you keep.
My background: Sherry helps with every video, but she didn’t come from a video background. I’ve been a hobbyist since high school—shooting on an 8mm camera, taking a few Video Technology classes, and studying Media in college. None of our work is professional, but years of hands-on practice taught me a lot about shooting and editing with simple equipment.
Our equipment: Most of our early videos were shot with a Flip video camera, later a FlipHD. Those devices are discontinued, but the point is you don’t need a pro camera. Modern smartphones and point-and-shoots record great video. We sometimes use iPhones or even the MacBook Pro camera for quick pieces, like the timelapse in our bedroom painting post, which we recorded straight into iMovie, sped up, and scored with music.
The takeaway: don’t feel pressured to buy expensive gear. YouTube has normalized a wide range of quality, so viewers focus more on content than on whether a clip is slightly grainy or handheld. Still, there are simple techniques that improve results.
Shooting good video: Consumer cameras give limited manual control, so prioritize three basics to get the most from whatever device you’re using:
- Find good lighting: Natural, diffused light is ideal. Move near a window, avoid harsh backlight, and add lamps to fill shadows if needed. For one Blogiversary video, overhead light made odd shadows, so I placed lamps on either side of the camera to brighten faces.
- Keep it steady: Move the camera slowly and smoothly. Avoid sudden whipping motions or abrupt zooms. If steady hands are a struggle, use a tripod or place the camera on a stable surface.
- Be mindful of sound: If you plan to use recorded audio, test it first. Use the camera’s built-in mic carefully—speak clearly and get close to the microphone if needed. Check for background noise like appliances, phones, or barking dogs, and minimize interruptions before you record.
Our editing software: We use iMovie because it’s simple and comes free with Macs. It makes importing, cutting, adding photos, music, and titles, and exporting straightforward—even direct uploads to YouTube. For more advanced needs, we upgraded to Final Cut Pro for our book project. Final Cut offers powerful tools—color correction, advanced audio, and precise editing—but has a steeper learning curve. If you’re starting out, stick with beginner-friendly software or free PC equivalents before moving to professional tools.
Editing philosophy: Keep it simple. Too many effects, transitions, and titles can make a video look amateurish and distract from the story. Classic cuts, dissolves, and tasteful, consistent titles usually look best. Use effects sparingly and maintain a consistent visual language so your video feels cohesive.
Finding music: Many readers ask where we source music. We often use Jamendo, which hosts tracks under Creative Commons licenses. These tracks are usually free for non-commercial projects with attribution. If you plan to use music commercially—such as for a promo—you should license it appropriately. Using Creative Commons music helps avoid copyright strikes on platforms like YouTube and introduces you to tracks you might not hear elsewhere.
It can take more time to find the right track on licensing sites than to grab a familiar radio hit, but the payoff is peace of mind and unique music that complements your video. We’ve even received thanks from artists whose music we used, which is a nice bonus.
Organizing our videos: We film a lot, especially since Clara arrived, and it’s easy for footage to pile up. Our approach:
- Be selective. Delete obvious duds on the camera before you upload.
- Have an end use in mind. Ask whether a clip will go on the blog, in a year-end montage, or on social media. If it has no purpose, consider deleting it.
We upload clips to iPhoto (iPhones) or FlipShare (Flip camera). After uploading, we rewatch and trash anything not worth keeping. Clips destined for long-term storage go into a videos folder that’s backed up with our regular computer backups and external drives. Uploading to platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or private social albums adds another layer of backup and allows privacy controls for clips we don’t want public.
There’s more to say, but this covers the essentials. If you have specific questions, ask in the comments—I’d be happy to share more tips and learn from your experiences too.
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