Making IRL (In Real Life) Videos With Mobile Devices

In the beginning, social networks were a form of entertainment and communication, but over time they became a profitable business, where money is mainly made by creating interesting content.

So today we have countless influencers who share moments from their lives every day, some make us laugh with humoristic videos, while others educate us on different topics.

This whole online world, however, would not be the same without IRL (In Real Life) Videos, which are mainly recorded with mobile devices or IRL streaming cameras, and record authentic moments that are shared with large audiences.

The quality of these videos is essential for them to reach their target audience and get the desired viewership, therefore, influencers and YouTubers reach for the most advanced devices.

Hence, whether you are an influencer or simply a technology and videography lover, this article will teach you everything you need to know about creating high-quality IRL content.

Choosing a Mobile Device

The first step towards creating quality IRL videos is to have a quality device that can support your ideas. Here are some of the features you should think about when buying an ideal device:

Camera Quality

Cameras on mobile phones are something that has been the subject of a lot of controversy over the years and which for many users, was perhaps a turning point when choosing their next phone.

The biggest controversy has been going on for years between Apple’s iPhone devices and the Samsung Galaxy S series, but their popularity does not necessarily push other phones into oblivion.

Apple and Samsung have become a matter of prestige, but thanks to advanced technologies, today, many companies produce devices with high-resolution cameras and good performance in low light. 

It is also important to find a device with advanced features such as optical image stabilization and more lenses, and some of the recommendations for 2024 are: Samsung Galaxy S24, Google Pixel 8 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15, Google Pixel 8a.

Storage and Battery Life

High-quality IRL videos require a strong battery and a good memory, so it is very important to choose a phone with a long-lasting battery to avoid interruptions during real-life recording, and thus the loss of valuable content.

Lack of memory is another problem that content creators often face, so it is recommended to get a phone with at least 128GB of memory and if you are an avid TikToker or YouTuber, then it is better to think about slightly stronger storage, or even additional storage spaces, such as Google Photos or Cloud.

Other Essentials

If you think that you have solved all problems with a good phone, then you are very wrong, because that is not all, and get ready to always have your hands full of recording equipment. For the perfect quality of your videos, you must have the following:

  • Tripods – A tripod is a simple tool that holds the camera securely in place when we take photos in unfavorable conditions, and for choosing the right tripod it is important to consider numerous variables such as weight and height, stability, price, etc. The tripod will help you increase the depth of field in videos, shoot self-portraits and extreme close-ups, shoot from different angles, and much more.
  • Microphones – Although every phone has a built-in microphone, it often has significant limitations, and due to its size and position, it can pick up unwanted noise such as wind, vibrations, and sounds from the environment, which ultimately affects the quality of the video. Clear video engages the audience and adds to the overall score of the video, and by using microphone plugins, you can make your videos sound interesting.
  • Lighting – you won’t always have good lighting when shooting, and there are many factors why this situation occurs. Although the camera plays a big role in these factors, most of the time it’s just because of the natural light that is out of our control, so it is necessary to have additional tools or video editing software.

Planning Your Videos

Before you start, determine the topic of the video as precisely as possible, as a clear topic will help you think about shots that you need, consider the optimal shooting method, and edit more easily, thus avoiding endless shots that need to be reviewed to get the best moments.

Then, scout out the location for recording, especially if it is not your own home but outside. Look for locations with good natural lighting, think about the hours when that lighting is best, look at the weather forecast, but also take into account other factors such as the proximity of a main road, a park, or anything else that can create unnecessary noise. Finally, consider whether the location is aesthetically pleasing for the type of video you’re shooting.

Shooting Your Video

The above-mentioned are tools you need to create a high-quality video, now you just need to transfer it to the recording itself. For your IRL videos to look professional, you need to take care of framing, and we suggest that you consider using a grid and placing the main object of the action in the middle.

We come back to light again, because light is your best friend and good light can sell anything on the Internet. The most popular are golden hours and blue hours, which you can catch in the early mornings and late afternoons.

The last thing that is of key importance is stabilization, for which you can use a tripod, and if you shoot manually, then make sure that your hands are as close to the body as possible.

Editing Videos

Today, there are countless editing software on the Internet, such as CapCut and iMovie, and they range from beginner to professional. This software can help you cut unwanted content, add background music, improve lighting, or insert subtitles or special effects.

Uploading and Sharing

As far as fertilization and coloring of your content is concerned, the only problem you may encounter is if you can’t decide where to post, and in that case, post to all networks.

Youtube has proven to be ideal for longer videos, such as weekly vlogs, educational videos, and mini films, Instagram and TikTok are excellent for short reels, but also the quick success of your content.

Conclusion

The popularity of IRL videos has gained importance with the globalization of social networks, especially TikTok and Instagram, where people share their experiences with many others minute by minute.

Whether you already have your audience, or you just intend to win it over, the key thing is that in addition to good ideas for IRL videos, you also have quality equipment to create that content.

It all starts with a good IRL video camera or a high-end smartphone. But before you grab your mobile device, do not forget to choose yours according to your own needs, not according to trends.