Combining Stills and Video in One Photo Shoot?

hello world!

In construction and industrial sectors, time matters, so combining stills and video into a single session might seem like a no-brainer. After all, capturing the movement of heavy machinery, skilled workers, and towering structures in both formats sounds like the ultimate efficiency win.

However, attempting to squeeze large amounts of content from one photo shoot has potential problems. So, before you grab the hard hats and cameras, let’s talk about what’s really achievable when you’re trying to compress two disciplines into one timeframe.

The good news?

Combining stills and video can provide a treasure trove of content. Stills photography offers high-impact images for marketing brochures, bid proposals, or that slick "About Us" page on your website.

Video, meanwhile, brings the website to life— time-lapses of cranes, swinging steel beams into place or close-ups of sparks flying during welding. A dual session ensures a consistent look and feel, showcasing your brand as professional and cohesive.

Now, here’s where things get tricky.

Construction and industrial sites are dynamic environments with unique challenges. Lighting is often unpredictable—a bright midday sun can cast harsh shadows, while dim interiors or welding sparks create tricky contrast. Sometimes what works for a 'still photograph' might not translate into 'video', which often requires smoother, more uniform lighting for motion shots.

Then there’s the matter of workflow. Stills photography often freeze dramatic moments—a crane hoisting materials sky-high or a skilled operator carefully navigating equipment. Videography attempts to tell a longer story: workers moving through the site, materials being unloaded, or the installation of heavy equipment.

Switching between these two disciplines takes time, sometimes with lighting and rigging changes, and the pace of a construction site can mean you’re always playing catch-up and run the risk of missing that crucial moment. This leads to compromise.

For example, imagine you’re documenting the installation of a steel framework. A stills photographer wants to capture a perfectly composed image of workers securing a beam, while the videographer needs uninterrupted motion to create a seamless sequence.

Combining stills and video may lead to compromises—perhaps a slightly rushed photo setup or a missed moment on video.

Does it matter that the photographer can be seen in the video footage? Will that compromise the style of the video and distract the viewer from the subject?

The solution?

Plan and Prioritise. If the goal is to showcase polished stills for a portfolio, focus on getting those nailed down first. If your client is itching for video content, allocate more time to capturing dynamic footage. And if you’re doing both, allow enough time for proper transitions and changes to lighting, camera, tripods and gimbals — it’ll make all the difference.

So, can you combine stills and video capture in one shoot? Absolutely. But keep expectations realistic and work with your creative team to outline the 'must have' shots in your brief and accept it will take longer than having a dedicated shoot for just one of the disciplines.

Please note: the images shown here are a small sample from a project captured in both 'stills photography' and 'video' clips. This client just required the video clips for social media and website use, so my video editing and compilation do not reflect real-world use.

We help our clients by understanding their requirements and identifying their priorities. So if you'd like to see how we can benefit your project, contact us and let us create some exciting content for you.

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