Do you offer video???
Photography & Video - is it possible to do both?
Why I Started Doing Video on Commercial Jobs (and Why I’m Loving It)
For years, I was the “flash guy.” I mean, that’s what I do, right? I capture moments with a camera—freezing time in a way that lets people look back at a single moment, frozen forever. Photography is my first love, and I’ve built a career around creating compelling, timeless images that tell stories. But for some reason, there was always one question that popped up from commercial clients: “Do you do video too?”
For the longest time, I’d smile, shake my head, and reply, “No, I’m strictly a photographer.” And that was that. I mean, video? That’s a whole different beast, right? It’s not just about clicking a button. There’s sound, motion, timing, editing—so many moving parts (literally). It’s like asking a chef if they do haute cuisine and pizza. You don’t just walk in and suddenly become a pizza expert (trust me, I’ve tried). So, I stuck with what I knew and loved: stills.
But then… something changed.
Last year, I started thinking about all the commercial projects I’d worked on—brands, businesses, shoots for products—and I realized there was a growing demand for video. Clients weren’t just asking about video anymore; they were expecting it. As a creative, I couldn’t ignore that shift in the industry. Video wasn’t some nice-to-have; it was becoming a necessity. And honestly, I wasn’t ready to let this trend pass me by.
So, I took the plunge. I decided to incorporate video into my commercial work.
At first, it felt like jumping into the deep end without a float. “Am I really ready for this?” I wondered. The learning curve was steep. I’m not going to lie—I spent a lot of hours trying to figure out what worked, what didn’t, and where I was just overcomplicating things. But here’s the thing: video, just like still photography, is all about storytelling. And once I got my head around that, everything started to click.
Why Video?
The short answer: It’s the perfect complement to my photography. But beyond that, it’s the different challenges video brings that I love.
While stills are all about capturing a single frame, video forces you to think in motion—timing, pacing, and flow. It’s a whole new rhythm to the storytelling process. You’ve got sound, movement, transitions—it’s dynamic in a way that still photography just can’t be. And you know what? That challenge of creating a compelling narrative over time? I’m here for it.
Plus, there’s something about having a multi-dimensional approach to a project that’s truly exciting. For commercial clients, it’s often more efficient for them to have a single creative deliver both stills and video, as opposed to hiring separate teams. I can offer the complete package: photographs that capture those perfect, still moments, plus video that brings the product, the atmosphere, and the vibe to life. It’s a killer combination for any brand or business looking to tell a richer story.
What I Enjoy About Video vs. Stills
Sure, photography will always be my first love, but there’s a certain thrill to working with video that you don’t quite get with stills.
The Movement – In stills, every image is a slice of time. You freeze a moment, and that’s it. But video? It’s all about the flow. The pacing. The way a product or a scene comes to life in front of you, with the added magic of motion and sound. It’s a whole new level of creative challenge that keeps me on my toes.
The Sound – I’ll admit, I didn’t realize how much sound adds to the experience until I started playing around with video. From capturing ambient noise to working with music, adding that extra layer transforms the final product. A wedding film might be emotionally powerful because of the vows, the laughter, and the music. A commercial product video, on the other hand, can have a completely different vibe depending on the sound design. It’s the icing on the cake—or maybe I should say, the seasoning for the dish?
The Real-Time Interaction – While stills are all about capturing the perfect moment at the right time, video is much more about the entire scene—the environment, the interaction, the movement, the flow of people and moments. I find it incredibly satisfying to capture a whole sequence and build a story through the footage. It’s an entirely different rhythm, but it’s also a rhythm I’ve quickly grown to love.
A New Dimension to Creativity – Let’s not forget, there’s editing. I mean, who doesn’t love getting lost in a timeline, playing with transitions, effects, and syncing up video to a beat? There’s something oddly therapeutic about cutting together a video. I can combine visual style with sound design to enhance the message in a way that stills just can’t match. Video editing allows me to build a narrative from start to finish, and I’m loving the new challenge.
Offering Both Stills & Video in Commercial Enquiries
So now, when clients reach out with their commercial enquiries and ask, “Do you do video, too?” I smile and say, “Yep. I sure do.”
Being able to offer both stills and video as a one-stop-shop has definitely been a game-changer for me. Commercial shoots are all about efficiency and delivering on the brand’s vision, and having the ability to provide both mediums means I can offer a fuller, richer experience for my clients. Whether they need a stunning hero shot for a campaign or a dynamic, cinematic product video for social media, I can now provide both. And as someone who thrives on creative challenges, it’s been an exciting new chapter in my photography journey.
That said, I’ll be honest: I’ve got a lot to learn in the video space. It’s a whole new skill set, and I’m embracing it. Photography will always be my first love, but video has opened up a new avenue for creative expression. It’s a challenge, but one I’m loving right now. The more I dive into video, the more I see it as a different way to express myself as a storyteller—whether it’s capturing the energy of a commercial brand or documenting a unique moment in motion.
So, if you’re in need of both stunning imagery and dynamic video for your commercial project, I’ve got you covered. Whether it’s stills, video, or a mix of both, I’m ready to make your brand shine. Because at the end of the day, it’s all about telling your story—whether that’s through one frame, or a thousand.
