How to Shoot a Horizontal Cooking Video

Before turning the camera on, I always start by planning the key moments I want to capture.

For this shoot, I know I'll be roasting sweet potatoes, cooking ground chicken, and prepping mashed avocado. That means I'll need to block time for oven shots, stovetop action, and final plating.

Then, I think about how the pacing of the recipe affects the flow of the shoot. For instance, as the sweet potatoes roast for nearly an hour, I can take advantage of that time to film the chicken or prepare the avocado. This way, I stay productive and avoid wasting time just sitting around.

I also prep any ingredients that will appear on camera. Chopping, measuring, and organizing everything in advance keeps the process smooth, allowing me to focus on capturing clean, intentional shots instead of scrambling around.

Lastly, I sketch a shot list: overheads for assembly, close-ups for detail shots, and a wide shot to establish the workspace. This planning step saves a lot of stress later when you're in the middle of cooking.

When it comes to horizontal shooting, always remember this: you have width — use it.

Try placing key items in the left and right thirds of the frame. It helps with composition and visual balance. Just don't overdo it — a clean, simple shot tells the story best. Think of it like designing a plate: you don't fill every inch of it to make it more appealing.

Before hitting the record button, take a second to scan the frame from left to right. Horizontal framing gives you space, but it also makes it easier for clutter — cords, gear, or stray kitchen mess — to sneak in from the edges.

Don't forget about the audio: make sure you capture clean, clear sounds of the cooking process. Turn off background music, avoid loud appliances, and be mindful of fans, outdoor noise, or any other potential interference.

Sounds like sizzling, chopping, or pouring bring your video to life — making the final product more immersive and professional.

And here's a final tip before filming: pre-measure and prep all your ingredients. Having everything ready means you won't be fumbling with packaging or scrambling during the shoot. It keeps your pacing smooth and helps you stay focused on storytelling.

Think of this prep stage as setting the rhythm for the entire shoot. The more intentional you are now, the more natural and effortless your footage will feel later.

Now, let's move on to filming the recipe and putting everything into action.

As I prepare the sweet potatoes, I switch between wide and close-up angles to clearly show the motion — piercing them, rubbing them with oil, and seasoning them with salt. It's a simple step, but framing it well makes it more engaging.

Next, I bake them. Since I'm working in a small kitchen, I choose between an overhead shot, a close-up, or sometimes both. Mixing these angles adds visual variety to your recipe without overcomplicating things.

While they bake for about an hour, I film the vegetable and chicken filling. I position the camera close to the pan to focus on what's happening inside. To speed things up, I've already measured, chopped, and prepped the ingredients, and I've recorded these steps as well. This allows me to switch between shots when editing the recipe and helps create a more dynamic, engaging video.

For pan shots, I use manual focus to stay in control. This way, I make sure the camera focuses on what's cooking rather than my hands or utensils moving around.

Here's one important tip: you don't need to record the entire 30-minute cooking process. Just capture the key actions — like adding ingredients, stirring, and simmering. When nothing interesting is happening, stop recording. Then, hit record again when the next step starts. It saves memory and battery and makes editing much easier.

For the mashed avocado, I use a combination of overhead, medium, and close-up shots. That helps turn a simple prep moment into something more dynamic and visually appealing.

Once the sweet potatoes are done baking, it's time for assembly and plating. I carefully cut each one open, stuff it with the chicken mixture, top it with cheese, and bake for an additional seven minutes to achieve a melted, bubbly finish. These are the moments when I really slow down for detailed shots.

This step can be just as important as the final hero shot — because, visually, the recipe begins to come together. It builds curiosity and anticipation for the final plate.

The final steps and hero shots can decide whether your recipe stands out or gets lost in the crowd. Take your time. Frame every shot with intention. This is where the magic happens. Every shot should make someone hungry.

During this entire process, always check your camera screen. Even if your framing, exposure, and white balance are locked in, it never hurts to double-check. Trust me, it's much better to catch an issue immediately than to find out later that you missed the shot.

And that's a wrap! Now you know how I shoot a horizontal food video — from planning the first shot to capturing that final hero moment.

Filming isn't just about showing how you cook — it's about how your audience feels while watching it. Every angle, every close-up, and every transition works together to tell a story that's engaging and satisfying.

Next, I'll show you how to film vertical recipe videos the right way — from setup to final shot. Then, we'll jump into editing everything from raw clips to a polished final video.

Thanks for watching! See you next time!