If you’ve scrolled through Instagram or TikTok lately (and let’s be honest — we all have), you’ve probably seen a surge of Reels and short-form videos. They’re snappy, punchy, and often wildly creative. You’ll find everything from behind-the-scenes peeks to funny stories about client sessions, all within a few seconds of video.
And yes — I make them, too.
But here’s the thing: these little videos aren’t something I include in client packages. I don’t treat them like add-ons or deliverables. They’re something else entirely — part diary, part digital billboard, part love letter to the work I get to do.
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Why I Make Reels
Even when no one asks me to
In many ways, short-form video is the most unexpected side of running a photography business. I didn’t pick up a camera thinking I’d end up filming myself awkwardly lip syncing to a random trending sound or narrating a dramatic voiceover about fixing a veil in the wind. But here we are. And honestly? I’ve come to really love it.
Creating Reels has given me a way to:
- Market authentically. Instead of constantly posting “Look at my work!” I get to say, “Here’s what it feels like to do this work.” It’s a small shift, but a powerful one.
- Build trust. My audience sees my personality, not just my portfolio. That’s huge in an industry built on connection.
- Process creatively. Some videos are funny. Some are poetic. Some are just me editing late at night with coffee and a cat nearby. But all of them are reflections — of the moment, of my mood, of the behind-the-scenes parts that rarely get framed.
Short-Form Video as a Time Capsule
Photography has always been about memory. About freezing a moment and holding it still. But short-form video has added movement, sound, and spontaneity to that idea. It’s like turning a still into a whisper, a laugh, a blink.
I’ve realized that while my work as a photographer is grounded in composition, lighting, and timeless images, short-form video lets me explore the messier, more fleeting parts of creativity. The in-between moments. The behind-the-scenes quirks. The thoughts that never make it into the caption but live rent-free in my brain.
And in a time where attention spans are short but the desire for connection is deep, those little videos have become their own kind of storytelling — fast, raw, and real.
What This Means For You
No, you won’t find a line item for Reels or TikToks in your wedding or senior package. But if you see a short clip pop up of your shoot on my page, know this: it’s made with love. It’s me sharing the joy I felt while capturing your story. It’s me showing up — not just as a business, but as a person who adores this weird and wonderful world of photography.
So if you’re someone who’s been watching from afar, liking the Reels but wondering what the experience behind the camera is like — hi, this is your sign. Let’s create something beautiful together.
Even if the video is just for me.
Catch the latest Reels and musings on the life of a photographer