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☀️ 4 Things Every Creator Should Remember When Shooting Outdoors

☀️ 4 Things Every Creator Should Remember When Shooting Outdoors

From lighting to legalities - here’s how to make your next on-location UGC shoot look professional (and brand-safe!)

nikola furman
October 07, 2025

📹 ✅ Looking at the brief, sometimes your room just doesn’t hit the vibe. Shooting outdoors can completely transform your video: better light, natural textures, and that effortless lifestyle feel brands love 🌿

But there’s a fine line between a dreamy on-location shoot and one that’s… well, chaotic. Overexposed faces, car noise, random people walking past - all those little things can easily ruin an otherwise perfect take.

So before you grab your camera and run outside, here are 4 things to ALWAYS remember when filming outdoors - so your next clip looks scroll-stopping, polished, and totally rehire-worthy 👇👇👇

🌤 1. Timing Is Everything (Light = Mood)

Natural light is your best friend - but also your worst enemy if you film at the wrong time. Shooting at noon? Expect harsh shadows, shiny foreheads, and squinty eyes 😬

Here’s the golden rule:
🎯 Aim for Golden Hour - the first hour after sunrise or the last hour before sunset. It gives your video that soft, cinematic glow that makes everything look more high-end.

If you decide to shoot midday, find open shade - like next to a building or under a tree - to diffuse the light evenly.

☕ Bonus tip: Shooting in your car? Park strategically! Angle your car so the light hits your face evenly - never from behind - and avoid direct sun on the dashboard (it can cause some serious glare).

Why it matters: Lighting sets the emotional tone of your content. Warm, soft light feels trustworthy and calm - ideal for UGC that builds connection.

🎙 2. Tame the Chaos: The Sound Factor

We all love the ambiance of the outdoors… until the wind sounds like a hurricane on your mic🌪️ If you’re talking to camera outside, audio can make or break your content.

✅ Use a clip-on mic or a small wireless external mic - they help isolate your voice from background noise.
✅ Always do a quick sound test before recording each scene and the full video.
✅ Avoid shooting near traffic, playgrounds, or construction sites (unless you’re going for a “real-life chaos” vibe - but still, test your audio first!)

If you can’t avoid ambient noise, record your visuals separately and go for a voiceover indoors. It keeps your outdoor energy without the messy sound.

Why it matters: Brands care deeply about audio clarity - poor sound quality instantly lowers perceived value, no matter how good your visuals are.

🎥 3. Choose a Clean, Framed Location

Even the most beautiful natural light can’t save a cluttered or messy background. When filming outdoors, think of every frame as a mini set.

💡 Before filming, do a quick visual sweep - check for litter, parked cars, distracting signs, or passersby.
📐 Keep your composition in mind - use the rule of thirds to position yourself or the product so the frame feels balanced.
🎒 Bring minimal gear but stay flexible - a small tripod can make a huge difference in shot stability and framing.

Also, shoot multiple POVs:

A wider establishing shot (to set the scene)
A mid-shot (for product showcase or dialogue)
A few close-ups (for detail, emotion, and texture)

Why it matters: Clean visuals = professional-looking content. Variety of POVs = dynamic storytelling that keeps people watching.

🚫 4. People in the Background? Be Careful.

This one’s often overlooked, but super important. If you’re filming in public, make sure no identifiable faces are visible or in focus.

It’s not just about privacy - it’s about content compliance. Many brands can’t legally use footage that includes people who haven’t given permission, especially if their face is visible or recognisable.

Why it matters: It’s a small detail that can save your video from being unusable - and keeps you looking like a professional who knows their stuff.

✅ Quick Sound Effect Checklist - have you…

☐ Planned your shoot time for good light (golden hour if possible)?

☐ Tested sound quality (no wind or traffic noise)?

☐ Checked background for clutter and distractions?

☐ Varied your POVs (wide, mid, detail)?

☐ Ensured no visible faces or brand logos in background?

☐ Packed your mic, tripod, and power bank?

☐ Filmed a short test clip before the full take?

🎯 Shooting outdoors is a great way to make your content pop - but only if you plan it right. With great light, clean sound, and thoughtful framing, even the simplest clips can look like high-end lifestyle ads.

🎬 Join us on Instagram Live this week!

Wednesday, 8th October at 5PM UK time 🎥

✨ Want to dive deeper? Join us LIVE on Instagram, Wednesday 5pm UK time, where we’ll answer all the questions you might have, big or small!

SEE YOU THEN!

🚀 🛠 Ready to shoot outdoors?… Log in to Clip, check out the latest briefs, and start applying today!

Happy Creating,

Team Clip