Reels, TikTok and Stories are all designed for vertical viewing. Content that fills the full screen looks better and holds attention longer. Filming vertically works a little differently from filming horizontally. These tips will help.
1. Film vertically from the start
Hold your phone upright and film in 9:16 (1080 x 1920 pixels or higher). Don't film horizontally and crop to vertical afterward: you lose a large part of the image and the quality drops. Turn on portrait orientation lock on your phone, so the image doesn't flip while you're filming.
2. Keep the safe zones in mind
On Reels and TikTok, parts of the screen are covered: at the top by the app's menu, at the bottom by the caption and username, and on the right by the like, comment and share buttons. Keep your face, the product and any text in the middle of the frame. That way nothing important disappears behind the buttons.
3. Frame at the right distance
When talking to the camera, film yourself from about chest height upwards, with your eyes roughly a third of the way down the screen. Leave a little space above your head, but not too much. For product details, come in close so the product fills a large part of the frame.
4. Film at eye level
Place your phone at the height of your eyes. Filming from below or high above can look unflattering or distracting, unless that's a deliberate creative choice.
5. Use the height of the frame
A vertical frame has little room at the sides but plenty of height. Movement toward and away from the camera works better than movement from left to right. For example, bring a product toward the lens rather than moving it sideways. Tall subjects, such as a person standing, a bottle or a tall glass, fit naturally in the frame.
6. Vary your shots
Combine close-ups (the product, your hands, your face) with medium shots (you holding the product) and wider shots (you in your environment). Switching between shots keeps your video dynamic and gives the brand more to work with.
7. Place text carefully
If you add text or captions, place them in the center of the screen, within the safe zone. Keep text short and readable, with enough contrast against the background.
8. Turn on grid lines
Grid lines on your camera screen help you frame your shots straight and neatly, and make it easier to keep important elements in the center.
Tip: check the preview
Before you deliver your content, watch it full screen on your phone, or temporarily upload it as a draft in the app. That way you can see whether anything important disappears behind the buttons or captions.
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