Getting into content creation can feel overwhelming. You’re pretty good at taking selfies and shooting cute videos of your cats, but now suddenly you’re running a one-person movie studio. You want to make your work look good and feel real — but where do you even start?
There’s a ton of advice out there, a lot of it about what brands and models of equipment you should invest in. But as a photographer and videographer, I’ve learned that it’s not about having the fanciest gear; it’s about knowing how to work with what you’ve got.
Just as you might lean into a trademark look, genre, specialty or kink, developing your own unique visual style is also key to building a brand that people recognize and return to.
Whether you have a top-of-the-line pro setup or just your phone, here are some tips to help you level up your shooting technique, create the content you envision and build your brand as an indie creator.
Let There Be Light
Lighting can make or break your content, whether you’re capturing stills or video. Fortunately, you don’t need a full-blown studio setup to light your shoots properly — just a good understanding of how to use what’s already around you.
- Play with natural light. This is how I started, by experimenting with natural light to set the mood for photos. Natural lighting can be your friend.
- Avoid harsh overhead lighting. Stark overhead light creates weird shadows. Soft, diffused light is your best bet for flattering shots and videos.
- Play with shadows and contrast. Experimenting with light placement — which direction the light is coming from — can add a whole new vibe to your content. Experiment, experiment, experiment!
- Be mindful of light consistency. Sudden lighting changes can ruin the flow of a scene. I know this from hard experience! Try to control your environment as much as possible with a continuous light source.
Once you get comfortable working with different light sources, even the simplest setups can make your content look fire.
Beyond ‘Point and Shoot’
The way you frame and compose your shots also makes a big impact on your content. Framing is just what it sounds like: defining the boundaries or edges of the image. Composition is about what you include within that frame, and where people and things are in relation to each other.
- The ‘rule of thirds’ is your friend. Imagine a grid that divides your screen into nine equal parts. Positioning your subject in relation to those lines can help achieve a balanced shot.
- Use ‘leading lines.’ Especially in still shots, the arrangement of items like beds, couches, props and toys can naturally guide the viewer’s eye to your subject, getting them to focus where you want them to.
- Head and elbow room. Leaving a little bit of space around your subject can help your visuals pop, but don’t go overboard. Too little space can make your shot feel cramped, but too much space can make it feel disconnected. Finding the right balance is key.
- Stabilize your shots. Hopefully I don’t need to explain this too much. No one likes shaky shots!
Mastering composition can be a game changer, helping your content to stand out even if you’re just using a phone.
Your Brand, Your Look
There’s a lot of content out there. What makes yours stand out? Just as you might lean into a trademark look, genre, specialty or kink, developing your own unique visual style is also key to building a brand that people recognize and return to.
- Experiment with color grading. Color grading is a “postproduction” process that adjusts colors, contrast and other visual elements. Just as filmmakers use such tools to give stories a consistent visual mood or tone, apps like Photoshop, Lightroom, VSCO or Instagram filters can help you give your content a signature look.
- Find an aesthetic that says “me.” High-contrast and bold colors? Soft, dreamy tones? Play around and see what captures your personality or the vibe of the content you aim to create. What experience do you want your viewers to have?
- Consistency is key. Keeping a similar vibe across your photos and videos makes your content instantly recognizable and helps build your branding.
A strong, consistent, recognizable style sets you apart and makes your content more bingeworthy for your fans.
Follow these guidelines and you may be surprised not just by the quality of the content you produce, but by how inspired you are to experiment further and discover new ways of getting creative.
At the end of the day, you don’t need fancy gear to shoot content you can be proud of. You just need a solid understanding of basic elements like lighting and composition — and of course, a strong commitment to making something you love.
Rae Threat is a veteran adult industry photographer/videographer, and head of creator outreach at APClips.
