Nick’s Guide to Vertical Video for your Content

Whether you’re creating content for Instagram, TikTok, YT Shorts, Snapchat or any of the platforms out there, mastering vertical videos is a must. Below we break it down for you with tips on cropping, shooting vertically, and making sure your videos shine, no matter the format…

Why Vertical?

So, why does everyone love vertical video so much? Well, we’re all glued to our phones (let’s be real), and over half of all video content is consumed on mobile devices these days. Vertical videos take advantage of that tall screen real estate. Think Instagram Stories, Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts—vertical is everywhere. Even top filmmakers and brands are hopping on this trend. Check out some of the amazing work Apple have done with filmmakers in this space!

Two Ways to Shoot Vertical

1. Crop it like it’s hot: Start by shooting in the standard widescreen format (16:9) and crop it later for vertical. It’s an easy way to get both versions—wide for cinematic looks, vertical for mobile. Sounds cool, right? But keep in mind, you’ll lose a bit of magic when you crop. If your shot was designed for widescreen, cropping can ruin your composition and storytelling.

2. Turn it up (literally): Flip that camera sideways and shoot vertically from the get-go. This method gives you full control over how your video looks, from composition to camera movements. No cropping needed, just pure vertical goodness.

The Crop Conundrum

Let’s talk cropping. When you crop a widescreen shot into vertical, things get tricky. Details can get lost, and close-ups might become too close, making your shots feel off. But if you’ve got a high-res camera and some creativity, you can make it work.

Here’s how:

- Keep your frame in mind: Turn on guide lines or use some DIY tricks (think gaffer tape on your monitor) to visualize your vertical frame while shooting. This helps avoid awkward shots later on.

- Shoot wider: If you’re shooting for widescreen but know you’ll crop, go wider than usual. That way, you won’t lose key details when you crop down.

Aspect Ratios

Different platforms have different aspect ratios. Save yourself a headache later by knowing what’s what:

- Instagram Stories & Reels, TikTok Posts, Snapchat: 9:16 (1080x1920)

- YouTube Shorts: 9:16 (1080x1920)

- Instagram Square Posts: 1:1 (1080x1080)

- Instagram Feed Posts (Portrait): 4:5 (1080x1350)

- YouTube Longform & Thumbnails: 16:9 (1920x1080 or 1280x720)

Pro Tips for Cropping:

- Go High Res: Shoot in the highest resolution possible. This gives you more flexibility when cropping.

- Steady Shots: Avoid shaky footage—it’ll look worse when cropped. Stick to controlled movements.

- Use Keyframes: Premiere Pro’s auto-reframe tool is your new best friend. Use it to keep subjects centered.

Shooting Vertical from the Start

Now, if you’re ready to go all-in on vertical video, here are a few things to keep in mind:

- Precision is key: The vertical frame is narrow, so your camera moves need to be on point. Keep it smooth with a tripod or gimbal, or go handheld if you’re feeling adventurous—but steady!

- Use classic composition tricks: Just because you’re vertical doesn’t mean you can forget about composition. Leading lines, depth, and balance still matter.

- Think vertical: Plan your shots with movement towards or away from the camera, rather than side-to-side. It makes your vertical video pop.

Vertical Video Hacks

- Split screens: Trendy and fun, split screens are a great way to make use of vertical space.

- Duplicate and blur: Want to fill that tall screen but keep your horizontal shot too? Duplicate the video, blur it, and use it as a background for your scaled-down horizontal footage. Simple and effective.

The Bottom Line: Stay Creative

Vertical video is here to stay, but the most important thing is your creativity. Experiment, have fun, and make your stories stand out—whether they’re vertical, horizontal, or something in between.