The Challenges of Shooting Photography and Videography

Blindfolded but aware of the chaos around her, the majestic rhino was cradled by a dedicated team of park rangers who expertly guided her from the truck. Dust swirled in the air, and their synchronized movements kept her safe amidst the bustle. Their reassuring touches calmed, creating a moment of connection between the gentle giant and her human guardians. 

Meanwhile, Dylan dashed around the rangers, adrenaline pumping as he captured the extraordinary scene unfolding before him while he filmed. Equipped with two cameras – one for dynamic video with a wide 16-35mm lens and the other for stunning stills using a versatile 24-70mm lens – he navigated the action with eager concentration, carefully avoiding the mighty rhino’s hooves. 

Then, like a sprinter, he jolted forward a staggering 150 meters, heart racing as he flung open his camera bag. No time to waste, and with tight movements, he switched out the mid-range lens for a telephoto 70-200mm f2.8, ready to snap photos. The moment was electric, and he was right in the heart, capturing the magic as it happened!

The era we live in

Welcome to the era of hybrid shooting, where photographers transform into videographers in rapid sequence and vice versa. The days of disjointed technology between video and photo cameras are behind us. While this evolution may evoke the exhilaration of a thrilling action film, it also places a significant responsibility on creators to capture and deliver optimal moments for their clients effectively.

In contrast to the above run-and-gun story, imagine being in a corporate environment, shooting a documentary, and capturing staff portraits on the pre-arranged days. Time is money, both for you and the client. When creating content as a solo social media creator, especially while travelling, capturing stills and videos is essential. The ability to switch between the two requires skill.

Whether you are a solo creative entrepreneur or a team, challenges are similar, especially if you are the team lead. Before you embark on this exciting journey, here are some considerations. 

Mastering the art of photography and videography

While there are cameras that cater to specific styles, most modern professional cameras are adept at both photography and videography. Mastering a hybrid shooting approach necessitates a solid understanding of both disciplines and consistent practice. 

Photography centres around capturing impactful single images, while videography focuses on creating a compelling narrative through sequences. Although the core principles—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—are the same, the execution of video shooting is a distinct art form in its own right. 

In the high-stakes procedure of rhino translocation, Dylan skillfully utilised his knowledge to capture videos and photos simultaneously. Had the client’s budget allowed, he would have recruited a second shooter solely for photography. Engaging in both fields might impede one’s capacity to ultimately excel in either, which could lead to being a “jack of all trades, master of none.” Therefore, invest time honing your skills in each area to progress and become an adept multi-disciplinary creator.

Essential considerations for managing photo and video equipment

Carrying and managing photography and videography equipment can be physically and mentally demanding. Additionally, it requires a significant financial investment. While lenses can be interchanged between camera bodies from the same brand, the requirements for photography and videography vary from project to project,  so one might need to rent required lenses for occasional use. 

Other gear, such as filters, memory cards, and tripods, have different technical specifications. For instance, a video shot in 4K at 120 fps requires a faster and more reliable memory card than a single portrait shot. Depending on the weight of the equipment, a video setup may necessitate a video head instead of a standard ball head. Gimbals and sliders are essential for video projects, whereas photography can usually be accomplished with a tripod or handheld shooting. Lighting and audio equipment are significant considerations for gear, as both forms require different accessories. 

Besides specialized gear, consider investing in essential hybrid accessories and technology if you’re on a budget and have logistical concerns. For example, instead of buying a video head, get a ballhead that can carry heavy weight and suffice for both types of shooting.  

Focus and time limitations

Photography and videography use different techniques and approaches. Switching between these viewpoints can weaken one’s creative concentration and efficiency. Capturing content in both formats notably raises the workload, particularly during time-sensitive occasions such as weddings. Sometimes, the moment is just once. To handle this, delegate responsibilities whenever feasible – and of course, consider an additional shooter. Alternatively, allocate separate time slots for photography and videography.

Media management and editing workflows

Not all your photos or videos will be included in the final product, but you must shoot everything. The ever-increasing volume of pictures and footage presents a space constraint that can be addressed by purchasing additional internal or external hard drives. RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) and NAS (Network-Attached Storage) effectively store valuable data. Ensure careful organization of this data for future reference with proper keywords and naming conventions. 

Both media require different editing software, and their workflows differ. Spend time familiarizing yourself with each software to its limits, and practice the various editing techniques and latest styles to achieve the client’s desired outcome. Invest in developing your own workflow, including presets for photos and LUTS for video, to increase productivity and save time.

Clarifying the requirements and shooting style

Clients often expect high-quality results in both photography and videography, which can make it challenging to meet these expectations without compromising one medium for the other. Select your shooting format based on your client’s needs, in other words, what they want to do with your content: Reels, TikToks, Shorts, coffee table print, etc. Decide how you need to shoot: vertical or horizontal?

It is essential to clarify client requirements in advance, prepare detailed quotations and invoices based on those requirements, and allocate time and resources appropriately. Feeling pressured to deliver more for a lower budget is not sustainable in the long run and may lead to the production of low-quality content, potentially damaging your reputation and your client base.

Health and mental well-being

Balancing both photography and videography can be pretty overwhelming and lend itself to burnout from the demands. It’s important to be kind to yourself during this process. Remember to take regular breaks, create a work-life balance, set realistic goals for each project, and give yourself time to recharge for the longevity of your business.

Establishing a cohesive personal brand or artistic style while exploring two media opens doors to incredible opportunities. Always have a clear strategy of what you want and your goals.

By mastering the realms of both video and photography, along with the intricacies of social media, editing workflows, techniques, and gear, creators can transform their diverse skills to thrive and grow.

Caption BTS – Indoor Scene

Juggling the roles of photographer, filmmaker, and director involves multitasking. From left to right, I am taking a photo of the artwork, directing the talent setting up lights, and recording video of the same scene.

Caption BTS – Outdoor Scene

Challenges of being a solo creator. From left to right: keeping track of a shot list, taking photos of the talent, and filming the video. While it is fun, fulfilling, and rewarding, switching between these roles requires knowledge, confidence, and the ability to direct while being polite to your talent.