Combine video and photography + produce longer lasting campaigns.

Campaigns take time and money. So why not combine video and photography to develop longer lasting strategies, rich social media assets and guaranteed ROI. Here are some considerations and questions for your next photographic and video campaign.

How can video and photography work together?  

Wasabi - a single shoot, video and photography working side-by-side. Planned and developed in this way Wasabi knew the objectives and assets needed well before the shoot. The team had also worked together on numerous projects. Cliff Evans and Carl Prechezer filmed alongside Ben Fisher @ Benfisherphotography. Video was used in M&S outlets, other OOH locations as well as later migrating onto social campaign. Photography was used in the same way but also for press and social.

UC recommends - Photographers can get into positions video crews cannot. They can shoot reportage, off the hoof and use long lenses at a fraction of the cost of a video equivalent.

Can’t we just take stills from the video?

Yes, but capturing video is not the same as high quality photography, and Google knows it. Plus, do you really want to stop your video shoot to check for still frames?  Isn’t it better to shoot both and have flexibility in post?

UC recommends- Shooting stills around a video enables side angles/ reverse angles and behind the scenes alternatives that can give you a marked contrast in looks.

What do you want to shoot and where do you want to use it?

Digital campaigns are content hungry monsters, but people are often under the false impression constant posting keeps conversations going, it doesn’t. People want contrast.  Combining photography and video gives you quantity without sacrificing quality. 

UC recommends - Investing in alternative formats gives longer lasting conversations: Using shallow depth of field can make shots, especially portraits ‘pop’ out of a web page in a similar way to a magazine layout

What can photography achieve over video?  

If your video is there to tell a story, explain, advertise a new product or idea / stills can entice, add flavour and keep the recipe going.  Take Brighter Bikes. Unit Creative worked with David McHugh to develop a campaign, website and product shots for the brand’s launch and a spot of Dragon’s Den. Shooting at night meant there was little time to stop and with david shooting alongside and separately to the video team we were able to capture everything in one night.

UC recommends - Planned well photography can extend your campaign after the video has been posted, especially if you use graphics and animation

What’s the difference between photographers and videographers ?

Video is all about movement, telling a story, using multiple images to keep the audience engaged for as long as possible. May seem obvious but stills are, well, single image expressions.

UC recommends - Videos need to appeal to a wider market. Stills can easily be shot differently to be tailored for business, leisure, reportage, lifestyle etc

Is my campaign news worthy?

Working out a news ‘hook’ before you shoot throws up all kinds of possibilities for editorial stories that print and page do better than film. Take for example the Ivy Restaurant group. They were looking to generate publicity for their newest branch in Brighton, but were missing a campiagn opportunity - a campaign with front page potential.

UC recommends - News hook are a great way to get noticed or extend your campaign.