How I create epic content from beginning to end

After popular demand, here is my entire creative process from beginning to end to show you how I create epic content (both photo and video) for social media, blogs, and websites.

I get a lot of questions about how I create content. About camera gear, how I pick my outfits, how to achieve a high quality end product. And I’m happy to spill my secrets.

Because, really, it’s very simple. Nothing brings me more joy than being creative. 

First I’m completely self-taught. I was on a tight budget starting out. My gear isn’t all that impressive. My “process” isn’t all that intensive. I don’t like over-planning so I usually just let my intuition guide the way.

It all came together over time.

The secret, really, is to slow down. To become immersed and approach content creation with patience and curiosity. I have a lot to say about intuition so please find related reading here:

• 7 ways to slow down to become a better storyteller
• How to take authentic photos that engage your audience on Instagram
• 8 methods to release the pressure to create… so you can get back to creating
• 16 simple ways to be more creative in your daily life
• Why Slow Travel is Essential for Your Wellbeing and Mental Health

However. This post is less about the woo-woo and more about the practical stuff. Let’s get into it.

A step-by-step guide from beginning to end on how I create epic content: applicable for social media, blogs and websites

What gear do I use?

As I said, my gear isn’t very impressive. When I started the hunt, I’d never held a professional camera before. Nor did I have a lot of money.

Still, it’s no small purchase so I did a lot of research. I rifled through YouTube for about a month, learning about cameras, lenses, how they work, how they’re different, and what I needed for my vision.

Then I scoured the internet for second-hand gear… because I couldn’t afford new. So yeah. All my gear is used. Trusty TradeMe really came through on this one.

I landed with a Canon EOS 80D, an older model. And three lenses:

• Canon 18-135mm zoom 
• Canon 50mm f/1.8 
• Sigma 24mm f/1.4

I’m probably due for an upgrade but to be honest, I’m not fussed. I love my pre-loved gear. Because as I learned from a dozen YouTube videos, fancier gear does not make better content. You have to know what you’re doing, and with a great dose of creativity, anything is possible.

The right weather at the right time: when to go shooting/filming to create epic content

This is a fun question because I’ve produced epic content at controversial times of the day. A good rule of thumb is to stick with mornings and evenings. But that rule can be broken, as explained below.

When I first started, I refused to shoot in anything other than a clear-sky golden hour. And this was a great way to start. Sunrise and sunset cast a warm buttery glow over landscapes – and highly flattering for portraits. You learn to read light and shadow and how your gear responds.

I quickly learned shooting in broad daylight doesn’t work. Some seriously talented people can still produce magic but it’s not for me.

After awhile, I got bored of golden hour and knew it was time for a growth spurt. We did our first rainy shoot and I was hooked. I loved the deeper tones, the rich shadows and textures, the heaviness in the air that told a different kind of story.

I came to love overcast days. With clouds filtering the light, you might even get away with a midday photoshoot, though I find filming video is slightly more forgiving when the light is a bit too bright.

Learning how to shoot in all weathers at any time of day is incredibly liberating. No longer do I stress over clouds in the sky, or doubt my ability to deliver based on elements I can’t control.

Scouting for an epic location

This section might out me as an amateur because, like I said… I don’t like overplanning. Not when it comes to creating content, anyway.

I don’t have a particular location in mind when we go driving. I know the general “vibe” I want (ie mountainscape, beachscape, or forest). But I let my intuition lead the way on this one.

You may know that Shaun and I love going for scenic drives. It’s how we fell in love, and how we cope with all of life’s challenges. We drive for hours, and in New Zealand, that means we end up in some epic off-the-beaten track locations.

I’m not interested in showing places seen a hundred times before. We seek the quiet corners, deep into the land beyond the paved road. Something unnamed strikes me about certain spots, and I signal for Shaun to park. Then we get out and do our thing.

I’ll add that we obey DOC laws unconditionally. If a sign says we’re unwelcome, we do not tread. But sometimes we go beyond any civilisation that there’s nary a sign to be found, and the lines become blurred whether we’re allowed to frolic or not. We always go gently, and never leave any waste behind. And if we get told off, we apologise and promptly leave. All part of the gig.

The shooting/filming process: finding the right angles to create epic content and storytelling

Now for the fun part: how to find the perfect angle and tell an epic story.

First it helps to know which lens to use. If a scene would benefit from compression, a zoom lens is your best friend. If you want portraits, I wouldn’t pick anything outside an 85mm lens (or 50mm for crop sensors). For bokeh, use a large aperture (f/1.8-1.2).

When it comes to the perfect angle… that’s when your creativity comes in. I let my instincts guide the way, and it helps that I’ve watched enough films that I know what looks good.

A good tip is to save content that inspires you and try to replicate it. Everyone starts by copying someone else, and your own style will develop overtime. Most of all, don’t get frustrated. Behind every epic shot, there’s 10 (or 100) bad ones. Try all kinds of different things, then train your eye to pick out the good shit.

For those who ask, filming with your phone is fine too. The technology is advanced enough to give you a smooth resolution. But I find my collection of lenses much more versatile to get that cinematic goodness.

Post-processing: the most important step to create epic content

Post-processing is when the magic really starts to come together. This is forever a learning curve, and where I spend most of my time experimenting. Trust me on this… editing will bridge the gap between average content and next-level cinematography.

To edit photos, I use Lightroom (the monthly fee is totally reasonable). To edit videos, I use Premiere Rush (it’s free!). I recommend you spend some time on YouTube learning colour theory. There is so much free information out there, and understanding tones and shadows will open a new landscape of storytelling through your content.

Some stuff will take awhile to understand (like that damned tone curve) but it’s not as complicated as you might think.

For example, the most powerful editing tool also happens to be one of the simplest… cropping. If you understand composition, you can turn an average photo into a money shot if you crop it down to the good stuff.

Final tip to create epic content from beginning to end

I hope the above helps you with your own creative process, no matter where you’re at. My final tip to create epic content and enjoy every step from beginning to end is… be patient. It takes awhile to get the hang of it. You have to get comfortable with sucking for awhile. It’s a necessary phase to get you out the other side, where you’re creating banger content that is uniquely you.

Oh and…

Don’t compare yourself to others. When I first started, I compared my shitty content to someone with 5 years’ experience under their belt. And I almost gave up.

Many times I got frustrated and wanted to throw my camera off a mountain. And I had to had a serious talk with myself. 

Let go of perfectionism. It’s okay to suck. It’s okay to be average. And it’s okay to always be critical of your work, no matter how much you improve. Growth requires discomfort, and that means you’re doing something right.

If you apply any of these tips, please show me what you come up with! I love seeing your content and hearing about your creative process. You might even teach me something.