How To Shoot Better Videos With Your Phone

You’ve got the tech in your pocket to make pro videos for your business– so why do they still look naff?

There’s more self-produced video content online than ever before, and the stuff that’s working looks incredible. Scroll through Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok, and you’ll see video after video that’s sharp, well-lit, and sounds great – and chances are all of these are shot on a phone!

But when you hit record, it’s a different story.

Why do your shots look amateur?

Why does the lighting make everyone look weird?

In short – why don’t your videos look like the ones filling your feed?

The good news is, it’s not about having the latest iPhone or the most expensive gear – so put your wallet away now!

I’ve been working in video production for over 15 years, and I’ve seen firsthand what separates great videos from forgettable ones. The same tricks I use on professional shoots can easily be applied to smartphone filming.

I go into even more detail in my free video marketing course for small businesses (grab it here), but let’s get straight into some quick, easy tricks you can use right now to level up our smartphone videos.

Stick to the rule of thirds

The rule of thirds is a useful guideline in video production that can make your shots look more professional and visually appealing.

It involves dividing your shot into a grid of nine equal parts and placing the focal point at one of the imaginary intersections or along the gridlines. Many smartphone cameras have built-in gridlines that can help you compose your shot and create a more balanced image, so turn those on if you can.

By following this rule, you can avoid common mistakes that often make shots look amateurish.

For example, if a subject’s head is nearly cut off or there’s too much empty space above them, the shot can look unbalanced and awkward. However, by using the rule of thirds to position the subject’s head at an intersection or along a gridline, you can create a more visually pleasing and well-composed shot.

Use a tripod

A common mistake many beginners make is filming handheld, which often results in shaky, distracting footage that looks unprofessional.

A better option for steady shots is to use a tripod, which provides a stable base for your camera. It also makes it easier to set up your shot, as your hands are free and the camera stays in place.

When choosing a tripod, it’s important to get one designed for video, as it allows for smoother panning and tilting than a standard photography tripod. However, there are plenty of other stabilising options, such as suction mounts, flexible Gorillapods, desk clamps, and motorised gimbals, which can help create a steadicam-style effect.

When positioning your camera on a tripod, make sure it’s at least eye level with your subject, if not slightly higher. If the camera is too low, you’ll end up looking up their nose – not a great look!

If you’re on a tight budget or don’t have professional equipment, there are still creative ways to keep your camera steady. For example, you could prop your smartphone in a pen pot or stack books to create a stable base for a laptop camera. The key is to keep your camera as steady as possible, no matter what equipment you’re using.

Don’t use the zoom

Professional video cameras use mechanical zoom lenses, which adjust the lens glass to zoom in and out while maintaining high image quality.

Smartphone cameras, however, rely on digital zoom, which reduces image quality the more you zoom in. Instead of truly magnifying the image, digital zoom works like a cropping function, often resulting in pixelated, low-quality footage.

To avoid this, try moving the camera closer to your subject rather than zooming in.

Always follow the 5 second rule

To make life easier in the edit, each shot should include a few extra seconds at the start and end as a buffer.

On a film set, the assistant director typically shouts “Turn over!” to signal the camera and sound team to start recording and “Cut!” to stop. There’s always a short pause between these commands and the scene actually beginning. This ensures extra footage is captured at the start and end of each shot, making editing much smoother.

If you shout “Action!” and start recording the moment your subject begins speaking, or stop as soon as they finish, the editor will have no room to transition between shots. To avoid this, always leave a few extra seconds before and after each take.

(If you want a few more video editing tips, check out my free video editing crash course!)

Get close to the microphone

To capture the best sound when filming on an iPhone, your subject needs to be as close to the microphone as possible. This applies to any video project, whether you’re using an iPhone or a professional sound kit.

Positioning the camera as close as possible to your subject and filming in a space with minimal background noise and echo will also improve sound quality.

If this isn’t an option, consider using an external microphone that works with smartphones. You can clip it onto your subject for much clearer audio. Alternatively, you could plug the mic into a separate device and have your subject keep it in their pocket, avoiding trailing wires and giving the camera more freedom when shooting. Simply sync the audio and video clips in the edit, and you’ll have a much more professional-sounding video!

Light your video properly

When filming on an iPhone, the main light source should be in front of your subject at head height, roughly 30 to 45 degrees to one side. If the brightest light is directly above, behind them, or at an awkward angle, you may run into lighting issues.

Where possible, use natural light. Position your subject near a window and adjust the lighting with blinds or curtains if needed.

Keep the battery charged

Nothing drains a phone’s battery faster than using the camera, so keep your phone plugged in whenever possible. A long USB cable connected to a laptop, wall plug, or portable power bank will all do the trick.

Airplane Mode

When filming on an iPhone, make sure you avoid unwanted calls or notifications interrupting the perfect take. Put your phone on airplane mode to block incoming calls and texts – plus, it will help extend battery life.

Conclusion

Thee are just a few tips to help you improve your smartphone videos – these are the same techniques our video team use, and now they’re in your hands.

But knowing isn’t enough. The real difference comes when you put this into practice. And that’s where most people fall short.

If you’re serious about levelling up your business videos, I’ve got something for you – my Video Marketing Accelerator course. It’s completely free, it’s just 60 minutes, and it’s packed with even more practical, no-fluff tips to help you create business videos that get results.

So if you’re ready to go beyond the basics and start making videos that actually stand out, grab your free spot here and let’s take your video marketing to the next level.