Travel changes how senses work. The colors feel brighter, the food tastes better, even the air smells like a memory in the making. And when it’s happening, you want to hold onto it. Not just with a quick snap of a photo, but with something that captures the motion, the mood, the little details that make the whole thing feel real. That’s where travel videos come in.
Making them isn’t about being a filmmaker. You don’t need a drone, fancy editing software, or a YouTube channel. If you’ve got a phone and a story worth remembering, you’re already halfway there.
Here’s how to make travel videos that aren’t just clips – they’re time capsules.
Beginner Travel Video Tips
1. Use the Camera You’ve Got (Really)
People love to talk gear. Cameras, stabilizers, lenses, mics. And yeah, some of it is cool. But for most travelers? A phone is more than enough.
The key is knowing how to use it. Keep it steady. Shoot with intention. Pay attention to light. That’s it. The rest? You can figure it out as you go.
DSLR or mirrorless cameras provide excellent image quality. But if you do love gear, try to keep it light
Want smoother footage? Walk slowly. Or rest your elbows on something stable. Want a clearer sound? Get closer to the subject. That’s the kind of stuff that matters way more than the model of your device.
Digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) or mirrorless cameras provide excellent image quality. But if you do love gear, try to keep it light. A small action cam or a gimbal can help with movement-heavy scenes. Don’t let tech get in the way of the moment. Sometimes the best shots happen when the camera’s already in your hand, not zipped up in a backpack.
A travel video maker can be an excellent solution, too. This powerful tool allows you to shoot, edit, and compile your travel footage directly from your smartphone. No need for advanced video editing skills; this type of app simplifies the process, helping you create stunning travel videos in no time.
You want to take your videos below the sea surface? Here's how to find the best underwater camera housing!
2. Focus on Composition
Good composition is key to making your photos and videos stand out. It’s not just what you shoot – it’s how you frame it. To get the composition right, follow these beginner-friendly tips:
Rule of Thirds: Imagine a 3×3 grid on your screen. Placing your subject off-center (where the lines intersect) can create a more balanced, eye-catching shot.
Leading Lines: Use paths, rivers, fences, or buildings to guide the viewer’s eyes toward the subject.
Change Your Perspective: Don’t just shoot from eye level. Try angles from above, below, or the side. You might be surprised by how much more interesting the shot becomes.
And remember: even if your footage isn’t perfect, editing apps can help enhance the final result. For example, Invideo AI’s travel video maker can turn your idea into a ready-to-publish video, complete with visuals, voiceovers, subtitles, music, and more. You can have high-quality travel videos created in just minutes!
3. Think Like a Storyteller: Film Little Moments
It’s easy to fall into the highlight-reel trap – panoramas, monuments, sunsets. But travel videos that hit hardest are the ones that feel personal and natural. The ones that tell a story.
What’s the feeling you want to remember? The chaos of a street market? The quiet before sunrise? A friend getting lost, again? Start filming with that in mind.
Get shots that set the scene (wide views, city sounds, passing faces). Then mix in close-ups (hands passing food, shoes on dusty steps, a map flapping in the wind). Don’t forget reaction shots either (a face lighting up, a frustrated shrug, the laugh that caught you off guard).
Most people hit record when something obvious happens: a waterfall, a dance performance, a fancy plate of food. But it’s the small stuff that gives a video heart.
That slow bus ride through nowhere. The woman making dumplings on a street corner. Friends half asleep on a train. A lizard that startled you. Film those too.
Shoot things you think don’t matter – because later, they might be the ones that transport you back, more than a posed photograph.
4. Light Can Make or Break It
Whenever possible, shoot in natural light, especially during the “golden hour” (shortly after sunrise or before sunset). The soft, warm glow adds magic to your footage.
Shooting under midday sun? That light can be harsh, causing strong shadows or overexposure. If you have to shoot then, move into shade or turn your subject away from direct light. Use your hand to block glare on the lens.
Also: backlit shots (where the light is behind your subject) can be gorgeous if done right. Mess around with angles. Don’t worry about the rules too much.
Again, travel video maker apps can help. They allow you to correct lighting in post-production – adjust brightness, contrast, and color grading to get the mood just right, even if you didn’t capture it perfectly.
5. Move Your Camera – but Not Too Much
Movement adds life to video. A slow pan across a landscape. Walking behind someone through a market. Tilting up to reveal a temple. Simple moves can make your video feel way more immersive.
Just go easy on the motion. Quick jerks and fast spins? Hard to watch later. Think slow, intentional, steady.
If you’re filming while walking, soften your steps. Hold the phone close to your body. Or rest it against something and let the scene move instead.
A little motion + a little patience = magic.
For smoother shots, especially when you’re moving, a gimbal or stabilizer can make a huge difference.
Feeling overwhelmed by editing? Let AI help. Many travel video apps now use AI to automatically analyze the footage, stitch your clips together, add transitions, and even suggest music – making it easier to create a dynamic video without spending hours learning software.
6. Stay Ready for Whatever Happens
Travel rarely goes exactly as planned – and that’s part of the fun. The bus is late, it rains on your hike, someone you meet invites you to a wedding you weren’t supposed to be at. And those surprises? That’s your best content. Some of the most cinematic moments happen when you least expect them.
Film random things. You don’t know what’ll matter later
Keep your phone or camera close, even when you think there’s “nothing going on”. Film random things. Wide shots of the setting, close-ups of details, a 5-second clip of someone tying their shoes. You don’t know what’ll matter later.
When you edit the shots later in a travel video maker, you’ll have all the pieces to tell a rich, layered story. It will be much more than just the obvious shots.
Watch one of Pipeaway’s more popular videos on YouTube, uploaded seven years ago, before the sophisticated AI tools arrived. There were hours and hours of material – how much easier it would be to edit this type of sequence today!
7. Edit Your Travel Videos Like You’re Writing a Letter to Yourself
Once the trip’s over – or even while you’re still traveling – take a little time to piece it all together. It doesn’t have to be a big production. A one-minute video montage. A folder of ten shots that tell the story. That’s enough.
Editing doesn’t have to be fancy. It’s about choosing what to keep and what to leave out. Think of it like writing a postcard to your future self. What do you want to say?
Most phones already come with simple editing tools. Cut clips. Adjust brightness. Add music. That’s enough.
Want help? Try a travel video maker app. AI video apps can pull out the best clips, match them to music, and add transitions automatically. You upload. They edit. Done.
Whether you’re looking to create a short highlight reel for your social media or a full-length travel documentary, AI video apps will make your life easier. It’s not cheating. It’s about simplifying the editing process so you can focus on the creative aspects.
How to Make Travel Videos for Beginners – Conclusion
This whole capturing-memories thing – it’s not about being a content creator or impressing strangers online. It’s about holding on to stuff you don’t want to forget. The small things. The way a place made you feel.
So yeah, take the photo. Film the moment, but don’t overfilm. Remember to look up sometimes. Be there.
Then, when you look back at what you captured later, whether it’s a quick phone video or a beautifully edited reel, you’ll have more than just a shot. You’ll have a piece of the experience.
And that’s the point.
Do you feel more confident in making travel videos now?
Pin this guide for later!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work! The photographs in this article have been sourced through Unsplash. In the order of appearance, the authors are as follows: Malibu beach (cover image) - Tom Briskey Rule of thirds - Jiawei Zhao Plane over head - Justin Clark Sunset - Jametlene Reskp Phone taped on a window - Omar Ramadan Video editing - Danny Feng Phone on plane window (pin image) - Pejvak Samadani
