Video Tips with Travizeo

Video is quickly becoming the future of travel so this month we profile Greg Brand who helped co-found the travel video company, Travizeo. When Greg is not playing Creative Director at Travizeo, he spends much of his time shooting and editing travel content and is an active member of the new Travel Massive meet-up in Brighton, England (check out his presentation video at the inaugural event). We caught up with Greg for a behind-the-scenes look at producing travel videos plus we get his best tips for succeeding as a travel vlogger.

You’ve been telling stories through a film lens for 13 years now. Why should bloggers and brands focus more on video?

It is one of the most effective online marketing tools for the travel industry. It used to be that we would sit in front of the TV and be told something. Now, we have choices in what we watch and when; we can leave our own comments and share that content with others. Thanks to immediate broadcasting sites like YouTube, content creators can shoot and process that content even quicker than ever before, and viewers can now follow along and almost “be there” as part of the experience.

Video tells stories, evoke responses, jog memories and connects with like-minded individuals the world over. Nothing will ever overpower the desire to be there ourselves, so this type of interactive content will only serve to drive more engagement and ultimately bookings.

What is your favourite video camera to shoot with?

Currently we shoot on the Canon EOS 5D Mark III running Magic Lantern with an assortment of great lenses, but the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 is looking very attractive right now. These are certainly not the best, but they are the best for us as we are constantly working within our flight’s weight restrictions. The best camera on the market right now is most likely the new Arri Amira. If we could afford it, that would be our weapon of choice.

What are 3 things that make for good, engaging video content?

Psychology. The pioneers of film and moving picture spent so much time and effort analyzing shots that affect us emotionally and psychologically, that you would be amiss if that wasn’t the first thing you based your productions on.

Secondly, know your equipment. From shooting all the way through to editing and uploading.

Finally, shoot what you are passionate about. Your passion will come through in so many ways and make for a better overall product.

Are there any must-have video accessories video producers should always travel with?

This might seem silly to some but most travellers we have met never think about this. Make sure you take one multi-plug (that fits your plugs) and less travel adaptors so you can charge everything while you sleep. This means you can have a good nights rest  and stay energised on a shoot.

Good equipment, packed well, will last much longer. Travel takes it’s toll on pretty much everything and you need to look after your equipment as most places you visit will not sell the specific equipment you need.

Finally always take as many extra batteries, cards and HDD’s as will allow. Sometimes you wont be able to stop halfway through the day to charge batteries and change cards, and the worst thing is missing what could have been the greatest shot of your life.

What are the biggest mistake(s) you see most video producers make?


Not enough pre-production and planning (preparing your story and planning your gear in advance). The other biggest mistake I see is DSLR shooters not using a tripod or some sort of grip equipment. The camera is used to mimic the human eye so handheld shaky shots or zooms are not natural to watch. They can be used creatively, but you need to know the rules before you can break them.

What is your best tip for being a successful travel vlogger?

The world of video changes fast. Keep up with the latest trends in technology across the board and never ever think that you know enough.

How do you work with bloggers, vloggers, or the online travel industry?

In addition to creating online video content for the travel sector, we recently started The Travel Blogger to Travel Vlogger project #TB2TV, where we teach local travel bloggers how to make great videos. Last October, we spent one week training 30 Malaysians how to shoot, edit and upload their content plus we took the 4 most promising students with us on a 2 week trip around Malaysia. It was an epic 3 weeks, and we brought in an amazing team from around the globe. It’s really great to see some of those bloggers still creating great content about their own country.

Do you have any tips for vloggers who want to work with brands?


They need to be passionate about what they do, and not just in talking about it. The best light for filming is sunrise and sunset, so being awake and full of energy at 5am is just the start. There are many great content creators out there so my best advice is hard work and determination if you want to get noticed. Just get out there and start shooting!

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Each month we profile unique online travel brands and start-ups in the Travel Massive community around the world. Connect with Greg and Travizeo on Travel Massive or listen to our podcast episode with Greg.