Have you tried shooting video reels yet? You might have without knowing it. Or you may think that you have, but you really didn’t.
What Is a Video Reel vs. a Video Snapshot?
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, there’s a subtle but important distinction between video reels and video snapshots. Reels are flashy, fast-cut compilations set to music or trend-driven audio, often more style than substance. In contrast, a video snapshot is a mini-story—intentional, emotionally resonant, and grounded in a meaningful moment.
In high school, I was taught that a short story is “a brief prose narrative of dramatic value, so constructed in plot, character, and setting as to produce a single emotional effect.” That’s essentially what a video snapshot is: a short (no more than sixty seconds) video that leaves the viewer with a clear emotional impression. It doesn’t have to have a plot, but it must be about something. It has to produce a singular effect.
For example:
- A student walks across the stage to receive a diploma, waves to their parents, and walks off. It’s familiar and simple, but undeniably effective. That’s a video snapshot.
- A man rides a horse for two straight minutes through a forest. It’s nicely filmed, but ultimately goes nowhere. Without added narrative or a twist, it lacks the emotional core to qualify as a video snapshot.
A snapshot is more than a portrait or a pretty scene. It’s not just a visual record—it’s a moment with weight.
How to Get Inspired to Create Video Snapshots While Traveling
Travel has potential for video snapshots, but capturing one requires you shift from documentation to storytelling. Ask yourself:
- Is there an emotional arc here?
- What’s unique about this moment?
- Will the viewer walk away with a clear feeling?
In the compilation linked below, you’ll see several examples I filmed in Savannah, Georgia. Some involve people, others highlight street scenes—but all are tied to something unique and specific.
One clip shows a young man practicing a rap performance at a train station. I asked to film him, and he performed on the spot. He even sold me his book afterward. The quality of his performance wasn’t the point; the emotional authenticity was.
At the SCAD Museum of Art, I filmed a mother trying to photograph her daughter. The frustration of trying to get the right shot was palpable. I switched to hyperlapse mode to capture that frenzied energy.
In Lafayette Park, I filmed a walking path scene with the Osmo Pocket 3. While the movement could’ve been smoother, the clip ends with two “kicker” shots to provide a satisfying ending.
Also notable was that visit to a tea shop, where the barista’s enthusiasm about her gold rings and international tea experience stole the show. I should have interviewed her, but I was too wrapped up in the tea I was ordering. Lesson learned: Always stay alert to potential stories, even when you think you’re done filming.
Final Thoughts
If you want to pursue the dynamic new art of video snapshotting, never squelch yourself. Even if you’ve shot plenty, even if you’re tired, keep that camera rolling. Inspiration can strike anywhere. The trick is to stay open to it.
In a future video, I’ll go into more technical details on how to film a video snapshot and format it properly for publication to social media.
