Why I Film for Free (And How It Pays Off Later)
I’ve never been someone who can “fake it till I make it.” I need to know my craft inside and out before I can confidently show up on set—especially when I’m being paid. That’s why I intentionally carve out opportunities to practice cinematography in real-world environments, even if it’s unpaid. It’s how I refine my skills, troubleshoot gear setups, and experiment with deliverables.
One of those opportunities came through my church. During the pandemic, our minister started a Facebook series called Mid-Week Motivation. It was a source of comfort during those uncertain times, but I couldn’t help but notice the rough production quality—filmed in less-than-ideal locations with just an iPhone and it’s built-in mic. It didn’t stop people from tuning in, but I couldn’t shake the thought: If we have the tools to do better, why not do better?
Rather than critique it, I pitched the idea of batch-recording the series professionally. It was a win-win: I got hands-on practice filming short-form content, and the church got a polished, engaging video series to encourage viewers throughout the week.
My Vision for the Series
Cinematic storytelling starts with strong composition. And at my church, the most visually compelling location is the auditorium. I framed the pulpit lights as practicals and used the pews as leading lines to guide the viewer’s eye to the speaker. I turned off all other lights to create contrast and depth—transforming a familiar space into something visually powerful.
Gear Choices (And How They Evolved)
I treated each batch of videos as a chance to test different gear and techniques:
Lighting: I started with the SmallRig RC 220B and later switched to the Amaran 200x for app-based light control. It made adjusting exposure mid-shoot quicker and easier.
Audio: I moved from a wireless lav mic to a boom setup after running into issues with clothing interference and visibility. Then back to a lav, but clipped to Chris shirt or collar instead of a magnetic placed underneath his shirt with a big mic pack attached for a more professional look.
Camera Setup: I shot on the Sony FX3 with a 35mm 1.4 and sometimes a 35mm T2.1 cinema lens. Using the SmallRig AD-01 tripod and a V-mount battery ensured I had stability and endurance for long filming sessions.
Shooting for Social Media (Post-Production Considerations)
Since the series was meant for social, I knew I’d needed vertical video. I initially shot in 16:9 and reframed to 9:16 in post, keeping the subject centered to make reframing easy. I even tested filming in 9:16 directly—but hated the extra headroom and lack of flexibility.
Lesson learned: filming in 16:9 with proper composition gives me more options to repurpose content into 9:16, 1:1, and horizontal formats. That’s invaluable when you’re creating digital-first content.
Learning by Doing
Each batch taught me something new—whether it was fine-tuning white balance, dialing in composition, or experimenting with b-roll and captions. I made mistakes. I tried new things. But because this was a passion project, I had the freedom to explore and grow without pressure.
I didn’t go to film school. My background is in Human Health & Performance with a business minor. So, I built my skills through the “University of YouTube,” online courses, and trial by error. That’s why these unpaid opportunities are so valuable—I get to put theory into practice, strengthen my creative muscle, and build a portfolio I’m proud of.
And here’s the best part: I used one clip from this series to pitch to a potential client. Not only did they hire me—they paid me more than the local competition and continue to work with me to this day.
What’s Next?
I’m still filming Mid-Week Motivation—but now I’m experimenting with larger lights, negative fill, and maximizing solo setups. I’m testing how much gear I can fit in my car, how long setup takes, and when I need to bring in extra help. All of this preparation gives me peace of mind so when paid opportunities come, I’m not figuring it out on the fly—I’m already prepared.
If you found this helpful or inspiring for your own filmmaking journey—or if you're considering hiring a cinematographer for your next project—check out the full behind-the-scenes breakdown on my YouTube channel.
