How I Create My Youtube Videos | Behind the Scenes Filming + Camera Gear
A behind the scenes peek into how I create my youtube videos - process, filming and camera gear 🤓
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00:00 my actual (messy) process
03:00 i always forget to do this
04:30 secret sauce
05:00 the importance of storytelling
06:30 questions to consider
07:30 lighting, editing and audio
09:30 this will help you stand out
10:40 my primary camera for filming - Canon EOS R5
11:30 my favorite lens Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1
12:52 my jack of all trades Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8
13:20 best lens for shooting inside the van Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8
13:55 why I love prime lenses
15:53 microphones I use the most
17:10 all my favorite tripods
18:00 my most essential tool
19:20 camera accessories: camera bag, cubes, clips, straps, etc
20:40 dji mavic pro drone
21:20 all of my editing gear! laptop, accessories, hard drives, etc
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Hey :) I’m Christian Schaffer, and I’ve lived on the road full-time since May 2018. This journey began in 2013 when I left the corporate world to build my career as an outdoor adventure & travel photographer. After 14 months of SUV living - I bought the van I now call home. Van life enables me to experience and document the beauty of our natural world, while also having my home and office nearby. My hope is that by sharing my own personal highs and lows along this (sometimes) wild journey, you might be inspired to hit the road or spend more time outdoors. Maybe one day I'll see you out on that open road 🚐
*My van is a 2019 Ram ProMaster 1500 High Roof, 136" WB with 51K miles*
#solofemale #vanlife #youtube
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I’ve said this before this woman is brilliant and needs to be given an award for her photography and videos.
too kind 🥲🙏🏻
@ChristianSchaffer nope not too kind awesome video as always now I'm off to hike
agreed
@@ChristianSchaffer no, he's right! i don't do anything you do, not a thing, but i find your videos engaging because you think and feel and communicate so intelligently it doesn't matter what the subject is. oh, and you offer spectacular images of the natural world, too - that's a bonus. :-))
Amen!
Thank you for us nerds we needed this. For us film makers we can never get enough of your movies.
prioritizing shooting thumbnails was a great reminder!
I’m always having to remind myself 😅🙏🏻
Wow!! Coffee with Christian. What a great way to start my day. Christian, I'm an old guy and I will never use what I just learned from you to produce my own videos. Did it cross my mind to just skip this video since that is the case. Hell no. I enjoyed the whole thing. You getting a chance to share how you do your videos was wonderful. Love you very much. Stay safe.
I appreciate you Steve 🥲
My sentiments exactly!
Christian. You are an inspiration. At the end of the day, I'm grateful for your passion in capturing the great outdoors. But it's your work ethic in the editing that makes it happen. Thank you for all your hard WORK. Bill
Ahhhh Christian, you're photography is second to none, the reason (I imagine) most of us watch. Don't stress it. Great to see your face light up though when talking about lenses...passions really showed through. Also another reminder why I don't do video lmao.
I do love a good lens haha ☺️
@@ChristianSchaffer And the geometry of mirrorless lenses is making 2.8 glass much more affordable. Nikon seems to be shifting their f/2.8 "holy trinity" to 17-28, 28-75, and 70-180. That trinity on Z glass at 2.8 is $3,850 cheaper than the traditional 12-24, 24-70, and 70-200...
Ms. Schaffer, you have really come alive in your last series of videos. Thank you for being so passionate to let us peek behind the curtains of your life. Keep up the great work.
I appreciate you! 🙏🏻🥲
Well Hello lady. Hoping your having a great time on the road. You covered your camera gear very well. We are always looking forward to watching your small master pieces. Stay safe and good to yourself!! Around Bend Oregon out!
Alright! Woke up, made a coffee, turned on the computer and a new video of Christian sharing. I think it must be going to be a good day!
aw thank ya 🥲🙏🏻
Me too ❤
Hearing of all of this work and time you're spending in this videos I'm even more grateful for it. Thank you very very much 🥰🥰🥰
Wow. My mind is officially blown. Great video, and mad appreciation for all of the time you invest to share your story with us. Thank you.
wow, thank you 🥲🙏🏻
After a dose of Christian, my week is complete.❤😊
EXCITED! New video, yay, thank you
Thank you so much for sharing your behind-the-scenes equipment you use to make the magic you create happen! I'm a big fan of yours and enjoy your outdoors excursions and your talents. Take good care, Christian!
As someone who started making and editing videos about a year ago, and is looking to take it to the next level, this video is exactly what I needed. It’s pointed me in the right direction, and now I know what I need to be looking for on KZhead to facilitate the learning process. I can’t thank you enough!
I’m so glad you found it helpful 🙏🏻
Ive always wondered what it would be like to create videos. I love watching your journey, you are gifted with what views you pick. always beautiful scenery.
Thank you so much 🥲
Fantastic Christian...just a mass amount of information that is amazingly useful and helpful to anyone interested in becoming a "KZhead Story Teller" or just a story teller through video and audio in general as a hobby. Well done, thank you for sharing. I am always here to support your channel and your stories, one of my favorite channels. You are a gift and a wonderful soul. Thank you.
Another great video. Nice mix between the creative aspects and then contrasting to the technical gear that enables the creative.
I love your cinematography. If you ever post a video of just quiet music and nature scenes, I’d watch it on repeat.
alright, it’s official. I’m gonna do it. I’ve been thinking about doing this and your comment has finally convinced me 🤍
@@ChristianSchafferhell yeah!! Might put all the footage that do not make it into your videos to good use
@@ChristianSchafferAnd you could do them in series, e.g. National parks, seasons, oceans
More than agree with the general sentiment here that your photography/videography is outstanding. For a long time, I came around for your visuals and the stories you weave with them. Lately, I feel like you are putting more of “you” into your content and that is just fabulous. This was an honest, authentic behind the scenes look that was actually riveting. Not because of the process, the gear, or the content but because it was authentically you. Loved it. Thank you. Keep up the authentic work! I don’t often comment on creator’s vids. This one compelled comment!
wow, thank you! 🥲🙏🏻
@@ChristianSchaffer Hey Christian-i am just wondering why you are ignoring my comment.I asked you how you mentally prepare to live in a van for so long. I would want to-but my body just cant do it.Did you see my comment?
Thank you for the comprehensive look of the behind the scenes. The quality of your work speaks for itself. I look forward to seeing every new video.
amazing amount of knowledge you just unloaded on us! as always, artistically presented with your incredible signature style. thank you for taking the time to share your vast experience and knowledge. i’m so glad i found your channel while looking for van life inspiration. you’ve given me a whole new perspective on the lifestyle through your artistic presentations. i’m so proud of you! keep rockin’ your dream. ❤❤❤
You're taking us on a journey. We have no idea where we're going, but maybe that's a cool part of it. :)
I like your way of seeing things ☺️
1. Film with purpose 2. Prioritize a thumbnail 3. Create a shotlist before filming 4. Film with intention with a rough outline 5. Sprinkle in secret sauce 6. Three shots to use: establishing, environmental & immersive 7. Story is king. Consider: beginning, middle, end. Locations, character and events? Is there a challenge you are trying to overcome? 8. Film at sunrise and sunset to make scenes feel magical. 9. Prioritize good audio.
thank you 🥲🙌🏻
As always Christian you have brought us with you and beautiful scenery! Thank you!
youre amazing, so grateful for your contribution to the experience
I love watching your videos because some people just have the gift of storytelling - whether via the spoken word, pen & paper or visually, they can make even mundane things interesting. Combine that with a lifestyle that I absolutely dream of (despite the challenges/pitfalls), yours immediately became one of my favourite channels. You have a knack of making things immersive - it’s like when I watch Adam Savage build a doohickey in his shop - I generally don’t have an interest in the final product, it’s the journey that inspires, that of watching a master at work. Don’t even doubt yourself :) Oh, and I have the same mouse and iPad as you! And just a heads up, Apple are working on a 16” iPad for release in the near future - that will be AMAzing :)
Thanks so much Heidi 🥲🤍
Never seen this girls channel before, I hate to say it, but when I see a girl her age, looks good and everything, and she's single I automatically think she's crazy do we have another unstoppable Morgan on our hands here? Just doesn't document the craziness??
Wow! Christian, you’re gear list is like a traveling production studio. Story is indeed king, but having the tools to make that story come alive surely helps. Your honesty about constructing a video is my favorite revelation. The imagery may be scattered captures over days or weeks, but it reveals an aspect, that even you may be overlooking, which is your ability to conceive and build an amazing, thoughtful story on the fly. That’s what sets you apart. Great stuff! ✌🏼
thank you Wayne ☺️🙏🏻
*jaw dropped* that's an amazing amount of work, no wonder your videos are always absolute masterpieces! Really appreciate the transparency and major kudos to you. Wow. You're a BOSS
Thank you so much for all this information. I will be watching this over and over again. This has been so encouraging in so many ways. What a lot of work, for just this one video, to put it all together. It is greatly appreciated.
Christian, I've complemented you previously many times for your excellent photography, storytelling, and human/poetic touch to everything you do, but this is truly generous. If I were a 20/30-something van lifer looking to make living on the road this would be THE video to watch and learn from. And by the way, as a now "retired" professional storyteller (30+ years writer/illustrator/speaker) I can tell you that nothing comes together until that last sentence, brushstroke, turn-of-phrase is laid down. My whole career I felt like I was reaching into a hat for a rabbit that I wasn't entirely sure was there ...but somehow always was. Human creativity is the REAL magic in this crazy world, so trust it. Here's to you reaching into the hat for a long time to come. Again, BRAVO.
the rabbit in a hat analogy really hits home - that’s exactly what it feels like sometimes 🙏🏻
@@ChristianSchaffer PROOF that you're a real artist : ) "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and true science." ~Albert Einstein
This video was so helpful Christian. I summited 74 mountains last year and filmed them which most of those had never been filmed before yet only recently I realized I wasn't creating a feeling with my stories which is why I don't think people watch them. I thought having world class one of a kind footage would make my channel worth watching but it really is all about story and how a video makes you FEEL which you are the best at for sure. Every one of your videos you are able to either transport that viewer to another place or to another time, feelings and memories all rushing back... its magical.
74 mountains! and you filmed it as well? mad respect 🙌🏻
@@ChristianSchaffer I filmed 60 episodes for the year that's about half of the 74 mountains / 110 hikes(mountains + lakes / non mountain stuff).
The nature you show us has a bit of melancholy in it, that's why we feel so good among nature, which allows us to calm down and feel part of it, which can be seen on your relaxed and calm face. I think your films give others the same joy as me and the dream that someday they would like to be in your place and feel this freedom freely.
Thoroughly enjoy a glimpse inside of the day to day of someone whose work I admire. Thanks, as always, for sharing, Christian...
Awesome video! Now it all makes sense why your content is so professional, you have learned through experience, trial & error. With the top-notch quality in image capture and editing I would have bet (and lost money) that you had years of professional training. Keep doing what you are doing.😊
thank you Kenneth 🥲🙏🏻 forever learning over here!
Christian, thank you so much taking the time to make this video. You have an incredible amount of gear and I stopped adding up their worth when it past $10K. You started speaking greek when you were describing the lens' but clearly understood the accessories, computers, phones and other tech gear -- I am a techy, but am all thumbs with photography and video editing. Peace and safe travels!
thanks for watching! Pretty much anything technical is Greek to me, haha - I just learn enough to get by 🙃
@@ChristianSchaffer Actually, your tech speak was very accurate and well explained. Probably the best I've heard a non-photo based KZheadr do it...
Your videos are the most charming, creative and beautiful I’ve seen. Never doubt yourself. You have an amazing gift.
Fascinating!
Thank you Christian for the video, fun to see the preparation process behind all the amazing videos from the past!
Christian, Thank you for explaining the work that you do to share your experiences on the road! I now have so much more information to research and learn about because of the detailed sharing of what you do. I too love Canon products and have a similar film camera on my shelf that I used to take pictures of my kids when they were small. What a lovey gift you were given. Stay safe...
@ChristianSchaffer You are so brilliant and thank you for sharing your gifts via these videos to the world.
I feel like there are great things in your future Christian. You have a magical combination of talent, imagination, emotion, and raw skills that are so rare. Your work gives me great joy, a sense of wonder and I shift between feelings of immenseness, and of being moved so deeply I shed a tear in the best possible way. Thank you for doing what you do. I hope you're having a blast and making unforgettable memories in-between.
Welcome to Idaho!! Great to have you in our great state!
What a great content in this piece. Thanks for sharing
Yes!!! I've been waiting for this. Thank you!!!!!!
Hope you like it! ☺️
Christian thank you very much for this valuable information.
Wow you make it look easy. Thanks for that behind the scenes look into what goes into your videos. Although I can and do spend many hours outside looking at scenery, I never seem to see what you see. I admire your Christian-vision. And the narrative is masterful. Keep it coming!
Yes, editing is an asskicking. And you do a really great job. You are a natural storyteller... and make it look easy. Congrats to you. Much Respect! 👏💪
O M Goodness! Thank You! Thank You! Thank you, Christian!
Amazing. Thanks for sharing all this info.
thank you so much for this video for people out there who want to create and love your creative eye ❤
🙏🏻🤍
Love the piece about intention and storytelling! Great info and editing 👏
Thanks :-) nice to get a full overview Christina, I appreciate all the info. Always enjoy watching your videos. Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much for this video. I love learning about your creative process. I also love gear video, Lam such a nerd. You’re the best. 🙏🏽💙
This is an amazing and so honest video about this kind of activity. With full respect - thank you very much for sharing your ideas and insights !🙏
You are looking great christian, nice to see your lovely smile!
Thank you so much for this video!This has been really helpful information especially when putting together videos and the storytelling process! Thanks again!!
Thank you so much, Christian! I always find your work beautiful and brilliant! I've learned so much and feel so inspired ! I always look forward to your moving poetry🌅🌄❤🙏🏻💖 💝
Great video so thank you - Ur a stunner!
You are such a wealth of knowledge! I can only learn from you!
🥲🙏🏻
Thank You for this!
Always enjoy hearing other creators workflow!
So great to hear more about your process, equipment and experience. I find it fascinating to see how you create the stunning video and stills you share with us. This video gave me a real appreciation for the synergy required between your creative process, your surroundings, lighting, weather, what equipment to use and of course the edit. I don't usually enjoy vlog content but you are so good a keeping a mix and bringing a perspective to your work that I really look forward to all of your videos. I feel like I've travelled to so many places and seen the inner beaty there...or the beauty that takes time to see thanks to you. I appreciate you having me tag along.
You're an amazing videographer. You definitely have an eye for capturing the emotion you feel when looking through your lens. Thank you, I really enjoy your content.
thank you, so glad you enjoy it ☺️🙌🏻
I'm living vicariously through adventures and skill set. As a newbie this video is inspiring.
A lot of good information in this video. Thank you 🙏
Wow! Being someone who has not done much with pictures and rarely taken a video, That was an amazing amount of information. We'll see how much that changes when I finally get on the road. Thanks for the info.
You definitely have multiple gifts storytelling, photography, videography and putting all those together. Thank You!
too kind 🥲🤍
Love that, that’s great. Thanks for sharing
I’m new to your videos and I’m so impressed by how articulate you are.
Your finished product is truly phenomenal! 😊
What generosity! Thank you for sharing and for the inspiration and transparency. Wow!
Thanks for watching! 🥲🙏🏻
I love your videos and your work. The videography and photography results are brilliantly accomplished. You are a true professional.
Notwithstanding your doubts, you are a powerful person. Your conscious drive to see and be creative, and to share, that is inspiring, to lift up others and ourselves. Your doubts are a good part of that. Thank you.
These videos are clearly well thought out and interesting. They are thought provoking and allow the imagination to lift off. I dig em. These stellar landscapes really sell it like a cool Sci fi movie.
So informative in one video! Loved this one!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this video ! Was glued from start to finish !
aw thank you 🙂🙌🏻
So appreciate you sharing this information! - Thanks so much!
Glad it was helpful! 😊🙌🏻
Thank you for answering my question about the gear you use and I found your video very helpful as a Photographer 📸
Not sure why this came up in the suggested videos but I watched the whole thing anyway... Interesting perspective, people don't realize the mountain of work this whole thing is, I have a friend doing his vanlife thing, he doesn't have your capturing skills but is an extremely good at public talking and mastering the story telling so he is landing sales rep missions left and right. He also has no time left for his friend or family because he is always busy creating content and that's MORE than a full time job when you are on your own. (I also think there's a reason why the really inspiring Vanlife guru who are super good at creating content are all single. It's a commitment people often overlook, you guys are all running a business!) It's very challenging coming around Vanlife. Creating quality footage and content for free (KZhead), working all the affiliates stuff and building, establishing and keeping a social media presence alive with all the comments engagement. Not to mention your bread and butter is supposed to come from establishing yourself as an actual photographer/film maker. I have a load of footages and spent as much money as you did on all the gears, my mom was teaching photography at the university and also worked at the largest photography museum in Europe so as a kid, I've spent years sitting out there and running around the hallways of the museum after school. Now if you think post editing sucks today, let me tell you what the film folks had to go through to "post edit" 😂 Here is the ONE thing where I have never found my balance or "enjoyment" is the "sharing experience" that is endlessly growing and expected by content creators on social media. I wish people spent less time on social media dreaming about doing stuff instead of just DOING IT at best, seeking inspiration or tips. I've switched industry from big tech to the outdoor world and when it comes to working with various brands and manufacturers, they couldn't care less because as I have no social media presence and no audience. I sure know how valuable and important it is, I acknowledged it and decided to walked away. As a friend who made a living off photography told me, "portfolio means nothing these days, there's 5 cousins or friends of your potential client who have no business licenses and will take their iPhone for 1/4th of the price you would charge. Unless you have a stack of followers and social media presence, you won't land any paying gigs" So here is where I find my balance, when I am out there doing my outdoor thing, I AM DOING IT and living the moment without having to walk back and forth and rush for the perfect shot and re-take the scene 5 times because one of the gadgets I just spend 300$ on has failed or thinking I need to spend 3 hours on youtube to review all the latest wireless camera control app out there to see if I can optimize my time and not miss the shot (goes back to your recommendation to take an actual course). After trying to put feelings and experiences through the lenses and show it to people, I just found that it wasn't my thing. I love to live the moment as it is without all the gadgets. IF anything, the hoarding of gears and setup for the perfect shot + post editing is really what has killed it all for me. I found myself happier just going out with what's needed and fully enjoy my time out there. Then I look at the scenery and tell myself " that'd be such a great shot and I imagine the composition and settings and all that fun stuff which is about "capturing" the moment, to me that's the most magical moment. Then I remind myself that I am in the middle of a river and soaked to the belly so the time it would take me to get setup and hauling all the gears is just not worth it to myself as I would have to do "just that" instead of living the moment while I am fishing. If I know I am heading out somewhere really nice, I'll ask a friend with passion to capture and edit, that's what he'll enjoy doing. Props to you for all the dedication and hustling it and finding your balance in all of this.
This is great info! Thanks for sharing!
thank you for this detailed tour!
thanks for watching ☺️🙌🏻
I recently began watching your videos and I must say, your videography skills are exceptional!
One of the longest, but time flew by. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain everything.
thanks for watching ☺️🙌🏻
Great information, thank you for the video! 👍😊
thanks for watching ☺️
Simply Amazing! Thank you for sharing your artistry and tips and tools of the trade. You are an inspiration to all.
You are so welcome 🥹🙏🏻
Your videos transport us there along with you. Truly a talent, IMHO 😀
🥲🙏🏻
Love your content. Also, Love the design of your van!
Thank you so much! Answered a lot of questions I've had about your work.
yay ☺️🙌🏻
This is such a great video and it amazes me as to how much technical knowledge you’ve accumulated over all these years. You sound like a pro and you’ve really put together sooo much information for your followers! Great job Christian. I’m so proud of all you have accomplished 🙌
thank you 🥹❤️
Extremely helpful. Not extremely tech, but enough to stimulate lots of aha's. This was very motivating to get back out there and start shooting again. Creatives often struggle with isolation, but that's all part of the process of our journey. Thank you for this video. Please keep up the great work. Love your work.
Very creative. Very inspiring. Keep up the good work
Excellent share, great narrative and info. Thank you.
Awesome work (again!) thanks
This is insanely informative - thank you for taking the time to share your wisdomous wisdom with us 😬
Great video! I've been on and off thinking about driving and working/living from my suv for a few years. I love how the most essential gear out of everything is the wireless mouse! (I agree! I had a mouse I carried around with me everywhere!)
I never expected to love a mouse so much haha
Thank you!!! Thank you for sharing what you have learned, how you have created what you do, and the plans or guides needed. Thank you for the tech guides. I learned a lot from this and will rewatch again to keep understanding and remembering. Thank you for creating such beautiful shots of nature and living. It is inspiring and really calming and healing. Very healing!:-)
I'm just getting started, and this informative video was very helpful. Thanks
Thanks for your behind the scenes content! I've envisioned doing videography and youtube content for my part time vanlife travels. It's the 9-5 job and limited vacation time that's a hinderance. But you're a inspiration!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I always wondered what goes into this whole process, and you explained it so well! I am a perfectionist when it comes to visuals, so I KNOW I would struggle with knowing when to stop editing; when my design is done. I constantly struggle with when to walk away from it LOL.
Great video! Thanks, Christian.