10 easy ways to make reels without fancy cameras or equipment
We all love reels, watch them daily, send them to people we love and often we even want to try making them ourselves.
Looking at the video quality, the smooth effects and the reach these reels get, we can get intimidated and hesitate to try our hand at making them.
But we should know that making captivating reels doesn’t require high-end equipment, a professional camera crew or expensive apps. All you need is your smartphone, good lighting, clear sound and a bit of creativity.
Here are ten easy ways to create engaging reels without breaking the bank or stressing yourself out!
1. Morning Routine Snapshot
Film a 10-15 second clip of a part of your morning routine, like making coffee, brushing your teeth, or opening your curtains to let the sunlight in. Add a nice message and some upbeat music.
2. Favourite Quote
Take a short video of you flipping through the pages of your favourite book. Pause on a page with a meaningful quote. Add some background music that complements the mood of the quote.
3. What’s on My Desk
Set up your desk aesthetically. You can make use of Pinterest to search good flatlay ideas for this. Film a quick pan of your desk or workspace, showcasing your favourite items like your laptop, a cup of coffee, and some stationery. Add a text overlay with whatever you want to say.
4. Outfit of the Day (OOTD)
Stand in front of a mirror and film a quick clip showing your outfit of the day. Add some text- a quirky message, or maybe where you got your outfit and make up.
5. Weather Update
Film a quick clip of the current weather outside your window – rain, sunshine, snow, etc. Choose a time of the day when it looks best before you shoot this. Add a text overlay some appropriate background music to set the mood.
6. Favourite Snack
Who doesn’t love food? Show a close-up of your favourite snack, whether it’s a bowl of fruit, some cookies, or chips. Again, use Pinterest or reels on these lines for inspiration on how to set up your table with the snack. Add a text with the name of the snack and why you love it.
7. Mini Home Tour
Film a quick pan of one room in your house, like your living room or bedroom. Highlight a few favourite details, like a cozy corner or a piece of decor.
8. Simple Gratitude
Film a short clip of something you’re grateful for, like a cup of chai, a beautiful flower, or a comfy chair. Add either a text or do a voiceover with music.
9. Poetry or book reading
Simply place your phone against some books, adjust your frame so you’re clearly visible (it also helps to have a good background such as your garden, bookshelf or some pretty lights) and shoot a video of yourself reading a favourite passage from a book or a poetry reading.
10. Make use of apps like Canva
AI is on the rise and we as creators can make good use of it with our own creativity. Canva, the friendly neighbourhood designing app has this section called Magic Studio. If you have a bunch of photos and an idea, you can use this feature. Simply enter the idea you have and what kind of video you want generated, upload the pictures and your video is ready in a couple of seconds. You can then go ahead and make edits to suit your taste!
When we’re out of ideas, inspiration can be found in many places we spend time in everyday.
On the Explore page of Instagram if something catches your eye, and you’re bold enough to try it, go ahead and do so! Maybe a hook step from a popular dance, maybe a reel with some trending music, maybe a challenge that you think you could try. The Instagram editor too can generate a reel for you when you choose a template and upload video snippets/images.
Remember, good lighting is key to making your reels look professional. Natural light works wonders, so try shooting near windows or outside. If you don’t have a tripod, steady your phone by propping it against a stack of books or any stable surface.
Choosing the right fonts can also make a huge difference in your reel’s appeal. Stick to clean, readable fonts (Avoid cursive, Comic Sans, too fancy ones) and use contrasting colours to make the text stand out. Timing is everything—keep your clips concise and engaging, ensuring each segment flows smoothly into the next. You can use transition effects found on Canva and even the Instagram editor for this. Here (click on the link) are also more detailed step by step methods to create interesting reels.
All we need to do is explore a little and keep trying. The more we experiment and create, the better our reels will become. Happy filming!
