Lesson 2 of 5
Preparing a phone shot
You do not need new equipment. A few minutes of setup — light, lens, framing and permission — make an ordinary phone shot look calm and professional.
Find your light
Face the client towards a window or your brightest soft light. Avoid overhead spotlights directly above the head, which cast shadows under the eyes and flatten colour. If colour looks off on screen, try a different spot before changing settings.
Clean the lens
Phone lenses collect product and fingerprints all day. Wipe the lens with a soft cloth before each post. A hazy glow in your footage is usually a smudge, not the light.
Frame with intention
Hold the phone vertically, at the height of the area you are filming. Clear the background of bottles, towels and cables. Leave a little space around the hair so the shape reads clearly.
Ask permission first
Before filming, ask your client if they are comfortable being filmed and whether they are happy to have their face shown or prefer the back of the head only. Respect a no without fuss.
Exercise: test your station
Stand at your station with your phone. Take one still photo in three spots: under your usual light, next to a window, and one more place. Compare them and choose your filming spot.
Practice example: film the back of a mannequin head at the window and at your mirror, then note which shows the colour more truthfully.