Here's how you can master shooting high-quality videos using a smartphone.

Lighting can greatly affect the overall look and quality of the video. Proper lighting can enhance the subject, create a mood or atmosphere, and help convey the message more effectively. On the other hand, poor lighting can make the video look unprofessional, dull, or even unwatchable. There are several factors to consider when setting up lighting for video shoots, such as the type of lighting equipment used, the direction and intensity of the light, the color temperature of the light, and the placement of the lights relative to the subject. It's important to experiment with different lighting setups to find the best one that suits the specific needs of the video shoot.

Sometimes to get a steady shot, especially using your phone all you have to do is prop your elbow on your knee or on a perch near you, but as camera phones upgrade, getting steady footage, becoming more and more irrelevant

Achieving captivating video compositions hinges on adhering to the rule of thirds. Visualize your screen divided into a grid with two horizontal and two vertical lines, strategically positioning crucial elements along these lines or at their intersections. Be mindful of the background, ensuring it complements rather than detracts from your subject. Thoughtful composition elevates the quality of your smartphone videos, imbuing them with a professional aesthetic.

I would say composition is possibly the most important thing because camera phones Are not the best to work with when it comes to color correcting so really using an embracing your environment around you is going to be most effective in getting the desired effect

Sound is the most important part of a video. If the sound is bad people will instantly switch off so it doesn't matter how good the video is if that sound is bad don't bother. Get any mic you can and place it close to your mouth. In a professional context I use radio lapel microphones for sound quality and ease of placement.

Sound is very important to when it comes to video production. I’d rather watch a video with bad visuals and good sound compared to a video with bad sound and good visuals. Try not to record “clipping” audio and be mindful of your levels. Also, invest in a DJI wireless lavalier mic as they’re relatively cheap and extremely great quality. I’m sure you’ve seen them before as a lot of online content creators are using them but they do make a difference in capturing high quality audio with a smartphone. I would also consider using an app like Filmic Pro that will help you with audio levels and making sure you’re not clipping. Make sure you’re not forgetting about sound as it’s very hard to edit and fix.

Sound quality is often overlooked when it comes to getting quality footage so any chance I get I remind people either use an external mic or put some compression on your audio in post. It’s a quick step that will make all the difference.

While obviously editing softwares such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve provide far more tools and abilities, iMovie’s improvements over the years make it a viable backup option. If a basic video with simple transitions, graphics, and audio adjustment is all you need, then iMovie works just fine.