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In case you missed it: I’m currently on a year-long road trip around the US with my husband, our cat + a 36-foot RV named Gulliver. We’re putting together a vlog that will accompany our podcast on relationships, business + life on the road, which means, of course, I’m taking lots of videos. When I travel, I use the same tools as my Juniper clients get – so today I’m sharing a sneak peek into how exactly I plan video shoots while on a trip.
It’s a process I’ve developed because there’s a balance between capturing your experiences in film + living the moments as they happen.
Step 1: Plan ahead
The first step is always to plan my activities. In the Grand Canyon, for example, we were mostly bike riding + hiking (which means I’ll need something to stabilize a moving camera). Also, the scenic vistas lend themselves to a wide-angle lens. So right there, I’ve already determined my top two gear needs. Taking those extra moments to plan our activities means I won’t be carrying a bunch of gear I’ll never use.
Step 2: Make a Wish List of Shots
The second step is to make a wish list of shots to capture (in fancy tech speak, this is called a storyboard). I use the exact principles from my 5 Secrets to Creating An Amazing Travel Video to make a rough list of the shots I want to capture. Sunset panorama? Check. Action shot as we bike the Rim Trail? Check. Having an idea of what moments are essential to me means that I can put the camera aside once those shots are taken and focus on being with my love!
Step 3: Live in the Moment
The third step is to be present! I collect the puzzle pieces from my wishlist, + then I put the camera away. My husband + I have learned to communicate, letting each other know both when we want the shot + when we want each others’ presence. I know that if something remarkable happens, I can always whip out my iPhone + capture it spontaneously, but the last thing I want is to spend my entire trip staring through my camera’s viewfinder.
Striking a balance between presence + preservation can be hard. Sometimes, I miss capturing “the perfect shot.” Sometimes, I spend too much time staring at a screen. But the more planning I do before I even pack my bags, the better I’m able to strike a balance.
