Creating a Multi-Purpose Client Video for a Local Salon
When my childhood friend, who owns Renu Salon in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, told me she was adding a new esthetician to her team, I knew exactly how I could help her spread the word. The challenge? Most of her current clients had never gotten a facial—or were nervous about the idea. The common responses she’d get were:
“What’s a facial?”
“I’ve never had one before.”
“I don’t know what to expect—I’m too nervous.”
As someone who deals with social anxiety, I completely get it. I wouldn’t have gotten a massage if my friend wasn’t a therapist or kept getting my nails done if my nail tech hadn’t made me feel comfortable. It’s hard to try something new when you don’t know what to expect.
So instead of just telling potential clients about the facial experience, I pitched a video that shows it. Not just what Jodi (the esthetician) does—but what it feels like to get your face cared for after a long, stressful day. Think: relaxation, intimacy, and comfort—all in 60 seconds.
More Than Just a Social Post
We didn’t have the time or budget for a full narrative shoot, so I crafted a 60-second “experience” video that could live on social media, the salon’s website, or even loop in the lobby. That’s the power of a well-thought-out visual asset—it can be repurposed across platforms to serve multiple marketing goals.
Coordinating the shoot wasn’t easy. Between Jodi’s availability and finding someone willing to be filmed, it took over a month to pull everything together. Surprisingly, people weren’t hesitant about being filmed—they just weren’t taking the free session seriously, which led to lots of no-shows. So in the end, I recruited a few friends for facials and eyebrow waxing.
What I Used & Why It Worked
This shoot taught me a lot about working within tight spaces and limited setups. The facial room was a repurposed break room—tight, dark, and challenging. Here’s how I approached it:
Lighting:
Light: Amaran 60xS with the Aputure Light Dome Mini III & grid
Why: C-stand was too bulky for the space, so I used a slimmer metal light stand.
Wish List: If I had my Manfrotto AutoPole + F22 at the time, I would’ve rigged overhead lighting for a cleaner ambient look.
Exposure Control: I relied heavily on waveform monitoring, IRE levels, and precise metering to maintain perfect skin tone exposure—even when ISO had to be pushed as high as 12,800 in 120fps slow motion.
Cameras & Lenses:
Sony FX3 + FX30
Lenses: Laowa Macro + Sony 24-70mm G Master II
I shot in 24fps and 120fps, giving myself enough variety for an emotional edit in post.
Framing:
Always kept the subject centered or on thirds, so I could easily crop for 9:16 repurposing without losing composition quality.
What I Learned (and Loved)
Was it a perfect shoot? No. Like every project, I saw things I’d improve with more time and resources. But I was prepared. I knew the space. I had the right gear. And I walked away with a piece that authentically captures what a first-time facial feels like. It’s soft, intimate, and intentional—everything we wanted it to be.
👉 If you want to see how the final video turned out and hear more BTS breakdowns like this, check out the full video on my YouTube channel.
Don’t forget to like and subscribe if you found this helpful—I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes content from real shoots, real clients, and real creative problem-solving.
Until next time!
