How to Film Yourself

Hey friends! I attempted to make a video of myself …filming myself. This one was pretty fun to make, kind of a “bring your friend to work” take. See you there? 🤓

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0:00 intro
1:25 gathering all the gear
3:00 crap how do we get the drone back
6:00 filmmaking is problem solving
8:00 the benefits of solo filmmaking
12:30 into the woods
16:30 beauty in unlikely places
18:00 never know what you might find

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 64K miles**

#solofemale #filmmaking #vanlife #SamsungT9 #PROUltimate

[tradergalsal]

Without the storytelling, I probably wouldn't watch. I love listening to your thought process and dialog. I find your process and lifestyle endlessly interesting and entertaining. Please don't stop storytelling!

[lynnstone]

Photographer is the obvious talent, but you are also a great writer which means you will be putting yourself forward. It may feel awkward to you, but it draws us in and creates human emotion which is the whole point of art. I loved seeing behind the scenes because your content is top quality.

[brianjay]

Boy, the combination of the right music with the right scene, such as in your ending, can transport the mind into absolutely wonderful places. Thanks for your talents...

[jbvrujn]

Christian, your work is the evidence of all the shooting you do. You bring nature to life, and whether or not you speak in your videos, you always tell a story which is always wonderful! Thank you for bringing your work, and the beauty of nature to us!

[jessejayphotography]

I really enjoy the behind the scenes of what others use to film solo and the lengths people go to make their videos on YouTube. Filming solo can be really challenging. Endless walking back to get the camera and fussing with tripods. Finding scenes that are both interesting and move the story along. Having to pack and unpack cameras and drones at a moments notice to try and capture a moment before it's gone. All while trying to make it natural when none of it is and sometimes looks downright silly af.

[francoisg]

Every one of your video feels fresh and unique. This is why you can make a video like this, meant to be a behind the scene and a tutorial, but it just falls in line with your entire library of videos. It's always about making the best out of the moment. You're an explorer of moments. You say you don't like being the subject of your videos, but honestly, I don't feel like you're the theme. You're the soul of it. The moments are the themes of your videos.

[darrellbrown]

I'm just amazed every time I watch one of your videos, I find myself smiling and taking it all in. You just have a way of putting everything together into a perfect package, even if it took days to do it. A great mix of scenery, and somehow you always find the music that fits so well. Thank you for taking us along! Safe travels.

[MatthewRaifman]

I’m so impressed by your work. Watching your videos is like meditating, in the best of ways. Awesome video.

[KenJohnsonFlyfishing]

What a game changer those drones are. They sure beat climbing a tree, strapping down a camera, climbing down, then using a remote and climbing back up again to get your camera. Thanks for the tutorial, Christian. Lots of great ideas!

[WayneThePoet]

Another incredible video. Your innate artistic vision especially with composition is what makes your nature work special. Knowing that in spite of junk dumped nearby, the distant mountain image is going to come through, and though you’re near a noisy, busy road, the fog through the trees is the capture you’re looking for. Your unhurried tempo is important too, no frenetic dialog, just easy and articulate. It’s all reflected in your description of the surrounding cafe scene.. raspberry scone, Americano, guys playing guitar, fog in the mountains, the river, a train going by… just paints the perfect easy mood. So good. Enjoyed the BTS, fun to see how you work. Thanks Christian, hope your property search going okay.
✌🏼❤️🙂

[ndnpony]

Christian, I have been following your channel for years! IMHO you do not create mediocre videos. You said you want the viewer to feel like they/we are right there with you. With all the technology we have, that is a high goal in itself. I have always deeply believed that writers see the world in expressive words, musicians hear the world in a collective harmony, photographers & videographers see the beauty in everything, you see the expressions, hear the harmony and you find the beauty in even the finest detail! YOU have the gift of being able to allow those, who are fortunate enough, to experience your work as if we were there with you and seeing it all through your eyes. Of all your work, this is my favorite!

[barryread]

Can’t believe all the work that goes into the filming! I know that the editing is really time consuming. Your artistic touch is the real talent and is the glue that makes it so beautiful and inspiring! I can’t speak for others here, but your story is the very reason that I follow this channel. Wish I had a thimble full of your talent. Thank you for teaching some of the magic. Keep doing what you do and I and will continue to watch…I’m sure many others will do the same.

[CaptFredRossiter]

So you want a cabin in the woods. May I offer an observation? I see you as a gifted "story teller" first, then a photographer. A photojournalist! There was a guy named John Nichols in Denver. He put together interesting stories for a local news station. Called them "a nickels' worth". He was a story teller only not as good as you. He made a lot of money during his career because he was a good story teller. He didn't sell himself as a photographer. You are bigger and better than YouTube. You are a creator who could tell a terrific story about anything!! You have some "60 minutes" in you. All they do is tell stories but on a grander scale. My advice? Branch out and broaden your subject matter, your scope. Expand your horizons. How bout climate stories, environmental stories, the disappearance of salmon from the Pacific Northwest, etc. And btw: you are a terrific videographer!!

[rjsieder]

This is the episode I didn't know I needed! A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at your process. Personally, I think the amount of "you" that is in your videos is a big part of what makes them so special. Those drone shots of the trees above the forest looking down are mesmerizing. Thank you for sharing the effort that goes into what you create. I think another episode including some of the stuff you discarded, and why, would be informative too.

[KaraKirtley]

YAY 🎉 Another video! Love these, thanks for the time and effort you put into making your videos amazing!

[Scrambler]

Loved this video, don't change a thing. You are the reason we are here. You as the subject makes this interesting. Love your photography and your thought process. I always look forward to your videos.
Your clarity of thought is refreshing.
👍

[MOTrav]

A lot of thought and skill goes into your work. I'm always impressed with the quality seamless videos you post. Rock on!

[JackieBrown]

Even though you inadvertently became the focal point of many of your videos, you definitely compliment the incredible shots and footage of the beautiful scenery. Also, making a behind the scenes video answered questions about the time, types of equipment, and difficulties. You do a lot to get those perfect shots 🎥 📸

[stevecrombie]

Hi Christian. Thank you so much. Most of the technical stuff in this video was beyond my grasp, but the story you paint through your work always fills me with emotion. I thought I knew your videos required a ton of work, but I still didn't understand as much as I thought I did. I'm okay with you being the center of attention, this is your work, focused around your journey. Love you very much. Thanks again for sharing yourself with us. ❤🙏

[andreashogberg]

Thank you for all the work you put in filming and really spoiling us with all your amazing content. ❤️