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The Recipe for The Perfect Reel 

No matter whether you have a love or hate relationship with the newest trend in social media, reels seem to be here to stay!  Catch yourself always complaining that the algorithm hates you and no one is seeing your stuff? It could be because you aren’t using what the Instagram algorithm is telling you to utilize – which is reels.

Reels are the fastest way to increase your views, engagement and following on the gram. It’s because reels are actually shown to people outside of your followers.  That means more potential eyes on your content! 

Reels don’t have to be complicated. 

They can be a short 3-4 second video that showcases you, your business or your senior clients.  That’s right, we’re talking about B-roll, the trend that’s taking the senior photography world by storm.

I recently had a b-roll type reel get over 809,000 views!  What?  It is literally just a behind the scenes 7 second video of me taking my son’s photos.  I added text to the b-roll that says 3 things to do with your senior before graduation then wrote a longer caption that talks specifically to parents about what they should do with their senior before graduation!  That’s it!  Easy Peasy!

B-roll is a game-changer. It elevates storytelling by capturing the nuances, candid moments, and behind-the-scenes action that breathe life into your photos.

So, how can you effectively weave B-roll into your senior photography reel? Get ready to dive in and learn more. Let’s get started!

Tip 1: Elevate Visual Storytelling

B-roll is often misunderstood filler footage, but in reality, it’s a powerful storytelling tool. By incorporating B-roll into your senior sessions, you can add layers of depth and emotion, creating a more immersive experience for your viewers.

Imagine you’re photographing a senior exploring a meadow in a warm glow of light. Instead of solely focusing on static portraits, integrate B-roll sequences that showcase the journey. Start with wide shots of the senior walking through the field. Then, transition to close-ups of wildflowers, the sunlight filtering through leaves, or the senior’s hands brushing against the grass. These moments of intimacy and detail elevate the visual storytelling, drawing viewers into the scene and evoking a sense of serenity and wonder.

B-roll also excels at setting the scene and establishing the mood. Let’s say you’re photographing a senior in an urban environment. Use B-roll to capture the hustle and bustle of the city – bustling streets, flickering neon lights, and snippets of conversations. These atmospheric shots transport viewers into the heart of the city, immersing them in the senior’s urban adventure. 

B-roll can show potential clients what it is like to work with you.  With visual storytelling you can create the desire to want to be a part of the story you are telling through video!  

Tip 2: Add Dynamic Movement

One of the key benefits of B-roll is its ability to add dynamic movement to your senior sessions. 

Experiment with different camera angles, perspectives, and movements to create visually captivating sequences that grab attention and hold it.

Try this: focus on interactions. For example, during a senior session with friends, capture candid moments of laughter, shared glances, or inside jokes. These snippets of genuine camaraderie add authenticity, making viewers feel like they’re part of the friendship circle.

For example, if you’re photographing senior models on a road trip styled photoshoot or maybe you are taking your model team on a road trip, intersperse B-roll footage of them singing along to their favorite songs, sharing snacks, or admiring the scenery from the car window. These dynamic and relatable moments showcase the bond between friends and the narrative arc within your photography.

By adding different angles and movement to your videos you can add excitement and energy to your reels.

Tip 3: Capture Authentic Moments

B-roll allows you to capture authentic moments that can’t be posed or staged.

Whether it’s a spontaneous laugh, a heartfelt glance, or a quiet moment of reflection, B-roll helps you capture the genuine emotions and personalities of your seniors.

These candid moments not only result in beautiful photographs but also create lasting memories for your clients. When they look back at these images, they’ll remember not just the poses but the emotions, connections, and experiences captured in those authentic B-roll moments. This emotional resonance adds depth and meaning to your work, creating a powerful storytelling narrative that your clients will cherish for years to come.

If shooting more B-roll is on your to-do list after this episode, I have the perfect resource for you! Check out my 25 B-roll shot list freebie by clicking here for 25 easy B-roll shots you can capture!

Tip 4: Showcase Attention to Detail

B-roll is the perfect opportunity to showcase your attention to detail and highlight the unique and personalized elements of each senior session that make each senior session truly special.

Imagine capturing the intricate lace patterns of a senior’s dress, the vibrant hues of a carefully curated bouquet, or the texture and character of a rustic backdrop in exquisite detail.

For instance, during a senior session in a picturesque garden setting, you could use B-roll to focus on the delicate floral patterns of the senior’s dress, capturing the way the sunlight dances on the fabric and highlighting the intricate design. You might also zoom in on the vibrant colors and textures of the bouquet they hold, showcasing the individual blooms and their arrangement. Additionally, you could capture close-up shots of the rustic wooden benches or archways in the garden, emphasizing the natural textures and charm of the setting.

These small but significant details not only add visual interest to your photography but also play a crucial role in telling a more complete story of the senior session. When your clients look back at these images, they’ll not only see themselves but also remember the thoughtfully chosen details that contributed to the overall ambiance and mood of the session. This attention to detail elevates your photography and helps create a unique and memorable experience for your clients.

Tip 5: Enhance Your Brand

Finally, B-roll can help enhance your brand and set you apart from the competition. 

By incorporating B-roll into your senior sessions, you demonstrate your commitment to creativity, quality, and storytelling.

Consistent use of B-roll sets your brand apart, emphasizing innovation and commitment to delivering exceptional visual narratives, ultimately solidifying your position in the competitive photography market.

These authentic and engaging clips will attract clients and increase visibility. Additionally, they also establish you as a leading authority in senior photography!

The Reason B-roll Works So Well In Reels

The reason B-roll works so well to create the perfect recipe for a reel is because if you pair it with a longer, value-packed caption, your viewers will read the caption while your b-roll reel plays in the background. 

Why is this important?  Because we want it looping while someone is reading your caption so that the algorithm sees that viewers are consuming your content. The looping shows Instagram people care enough to watch it or in reality have it loop while reading your content!!  The more time people spend on your content the more Instagram rewards you and shows your content to more people! 

But the key here is value!  Value packed information that your ideal client wants or needs to know!  Not just this session was so fun!  Nope this means you are going to have to write more than that! Ha!  And before you say you aren’t a writer…anyone can write a caption!  Write it as if you are talking face to face with your ideal client.  What do they want to know or need to know when it comes to senior photos?  If they asked you a question about senior photos face to face, how would you answer?  That is how you write the caption!  I promise it doesn’t have to be hard. 

At the end of the day, stop overthinking it and stop making excuses and just start creating content!  The more you post, the easier it gets!  The more you post, the more Instagram will reward you and the more you post, the more you will increase your chances of being seen by the right person who will start to follow you, get to know you, like you and trust you enough to book a senior photoshoot with you!!

And let’s face it…that’s the ultimate goal!!

 

The Recipe For The Perfect Reel Includes Trendy B-Roll!

And there you have it – “The Recipe for The Perfect Reel” with a closer look at why B-roll is super trendy and how you can leverage it to enhance your senior photography.

I’ve got some homework for you today!!  Look at your camera roll and find a 5-7 second behind the scenes video of you doing something such as photographing a senior. 

IF you don’t have something already on your camera roll, I want you to film it TODAY!!  Make a b-roll style video! 

Then I want you to combine that video with a trending audio and a value-packed caption with information that a senior or parent of a senior wants or needs to know! 

Don’t know what to write?  Answer a very common question you get asked!  Write it like you are answering that question face to face with your ideal client!  And post!!!!!  I want you to tag me in the post @seniorologie so I can see it!  Or better yet, use that airplane style button and send me your reel in the DM’s!!  

If shooting more B-roll is on your to-do list after this episode, I have the perfect resource for you! Check out my 25 B-roll shot list freebie by clicking here for 25 easy B-roll shots you can capture!