10 secrets to build your brand and craft cinematic content

1. Use natural light

“One of the most challenging aspects of content creation is mastering natural lighting,” says Felix, who admits to having struggled with it at first. “The key is to understand how different times of day affect the mood and quality of your visuals. For example, capturing during the golden hour, shortly after sunrise or before sunset, produces soft, warm light that’s perfect for creating a cinematic, dreamy effect. On the other hand, midday sunlight can be harsh, creating unflattering shadows, so finding shaded areas or using reflectors can help soften the light.”

2. Film in 4K

“We always film in 4K 60fps, with a shutter speed of 1/120 secs,” continues Felix, who is in charge of the brand’s videography. “It’s great for smoother videos, as it helps to achieve natural motion blur that looks more how the human eye sees. We follow the basic shutter speed rule of keeping it at double the frame rate for smooth motion. Slow motion is also an important feature in cinematic travel videos. The key here is to find the right speed for the topic of the video, which you can do in post-production. Or with the Nikon Z6III you can film directly in 4K 120fps for slow-motion footage.”

3. Make it personal 

“Start with the material you have and focus on the storytelling,” suggests Céline, who is the team’s photographer. “It doesn’t need to be complicated – it could be as simple as capturing a personal moment to make the content feel more authentic and relatable, which always resonates much more with viewers.”

4. Adapt to changes in light

“Changing lighting conditions, especially due to cloud cover, can quickly alter the scene’s brightness,” advises Felix. “Using tools like ND filters allows us to manage exposure in bright conditions without compromising on aperture or shutter speed, which is essential for maintaining the cinematic look.”

5. Capture every moment

“Some of our most viral content came from moments we didn’t initially think were good enough,” Felix admits. “Later, when reviewing your footage, you might discover angles, emotions or candid moments that you didn’t notice in the moment. It’s always better to have extra content that you can repurpose for future projects, reels or behind-the-scenes posts. Additionally, we’ve learned the importance of documenting the journey, not just the highlights. Audiences connect with authenticity and sharing the ‘imperfect’ or behind-the-scenes moments can make your content feel more relatable and human. Sometimes, the footage you think isn’t good enough adds depth and tells a more complete story.”

6. Consistency is key

“Content creation is a marathon, not a sprint, and one of the most important factors for growth in content creation is staying consistent,” urges Céline. “Whether you’re travelling or at home, aim to create and post regularly. While travelling, it’s a good idea to capture content every day, even if it’s just behind-the-scenes footage or short clips that can be repurposed later. When you’re back home, keep this momentum going by scheduling posts, sharing your travel experiences or revisiting old footage for fresh content ideas. Consistency keeps your audience engaged and helps build a reliable presence on social media platforms. Ultimately, consistency matters more than quick wins, so focus on creating regularly, even if the results aren’t perfect at first. Small improvements over time will help you develop your skills and grow your audience naturally.”

7. Plan your content

“Having a rough content plan or schedule can really help to ensure you’re making the most of your time, especially while travelling,” Céline says. “So make a list of the types of images or clips you want, key locations or specific storytelling elements for each destination. However, try to remain flexible so you can capture spontaneous moments, too, as they often turn out to be the most authentic and engaging pieces of content. Also, it’s a great idea to plan your upcoming content in advance. Just note down what you want to post and schedule it for different days.”

8. Nurture your community

“Building a genuine connection with your audience is just as important as creating high-quality content,” suggests Felix. “Respond to comments, reply to messages and acknowledge feedback. This shows your audience that you value their support and encourages a sense of community around your content.”

9. Offer something valuable

“Depending on your style, it’s really important to strike a balance between delivering informative content and maintaining high visual quality,” Céline says. “For us, the goal is to ensure that every post offers value, whether it’s sharing travel tips, destination guides or personal experiences, while also being visually captivating. Beautiful imagery not only grabs attention but also enhances the message you’re trying to convey, while high-quality visuals help set the tone and mood of your content, making the information more engaging and memorable.”

10. Use your metrics to grow

“When reaching out to companies that you want to work with, share relevant statistics about your audience, such as engagement rate, reach and impressions,” offers Felix. “Brands often make decisions based on these metrics, so having them readily available can strengthen your pitch.”