Shooting for Every Screen: Capturing Vertical Video in the Field

At Clearview Media, we know that storytelling today goes far beyond the traditional widescreen frame. Every platform has its own language and that means shooting in the right aspect ratio is more important than ever.

Recently, we filmed a New York Fashion Week (NYFW) event in Manhattan that was designed entirely for social media distribution. The client needed fast-turnaround content that looked great on Instagram Reels and TikTok so we captured the entire event vertically, using a Sony a7S III mounted on a DJI Ronin gimbal. Shooting in native 9:16 allowed us to frame talent, outfits, and runway movement perfectly for mobile viewing without the need to crop or compromise image quality later.

Why Aspect Ratios Matter

Each platform tells stories differently:

  • 16:9 (Horizontal) Ideal for YouTube, websites, and broadcast.

  • 1:1 (Square) Great for feed-based platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook.

  • 9:16 (Vertical) Optimized for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts where the majority of audiences now watch video.

By understanding how and where your content will live, we can make every frame count visually, technically, and strategically.

Sony a7siii verticall mounted on DJI Ronin RS3 gimbal for social media aspect ratio capture at NYFW event in NYC.

Ready to Make Your Next Shoot Social-Ready?

Whether you’re producing a fashion event, product launch, or brand campaign, Clearview Media brings the experience and technical know-how to capture your story in every format. From 8K cinema to 9:16 mobile-first video, we make sure your content stands out — everywhere it’s seen.

📩 Contact us to start planning your next shoot.

James Ogle