The Art of Being in Front of and Behind the Camera at the Same Time
Discover how to master self-filming with Alice Greenfield and the Manfrotto ONE Hybrid tripod. Tips, gear, and creative insights for photographers and filmmakers.
Written by Alice Greenfield, Shot by Alice.
There is a certain kind of magic that happens when you decide to be both the storyteller and the subject. It is chaotic and beautiful and sometimes feels like a puzzle you are trying to solve while running to catch the last of the golden light. But it is also one of the most freeing ways to create. You become the director and the actor and the camera operator, and somehow the whole thing feels more honest because of it.
I have spent most of my creative life chasing light, chasing stories, and trying to capture these small moments that make an adventure feel like a memory. Over the years, my work has taken me across mountains, coastlines, cities, tiny islands, and a lot of muddy paths with my Jeep. But one thing has stayed the same through all of it. I am documenting my life and usually filming myself alone.
This did not start intentionally. It began as a way to stay creatively active. I would set up my tripod, run back into the frame, try something, run back to check it, repeat a few times, and usually laugh and cringe at what I had just created. But something clicked in that process. I realised that filming myself was teaching me to slow down, to craft scenes more intentionally, and to tune in to the feeling of a moment instead of rushing through it. It also forced me to spend more time in nature and observe the only essential in the craft: light.
A little bit about my journey
I’m Alice, a photographer and filmmaker from the Isle of Wight. I am the co-founder of Adrift Visuals, the production company for outdoor brands. At Adrift, I direct and sculpt short-form stories for an array of brands across the globe. Some of our clients include Garmin, Bentley, North Sails, MINI and Virgin Atlantic.
When I am not working on commercial projects with big deadlines and all the usual hustle, I am usually creating for my personal channel, ‘Shot by Alice’. It is the place where I share my creative lifestyle and the beautiful places I travel to.
Recently, I worked with Manfrotto on a video centred around their new ONE Hybrid tripod and how it has become a bit of a silent companion in my solo filmmaking process. The video captures the way I move around a scene when I am both in front of and behind the camera. It shows the simple shots needed to create a story.
The project reminded me how empowering it is to choose independence in creativity. To not wait for the perfect conditions or the perfect team or the perfect moment. To just begin.
What you need to film yourself without losing your mind
People often ask me how I film myself without someone behind the lens. The truth is that it took practice and a lot of mistakes, but there is a handful of kit that genuinely make this easier and more enjoyable.
Here is my honest list of essentials:
A reliable tripod
The foundation of everything. For me this is the . It is lightweight but sturdy and the quick adjustments are a dream when you are running back and forth between camera and frame. The centre column rotation is perfect for top-down shots which I love for scenes with coffee making or little moments in the back of the Jeep. It is one of those bits of kit that feels simple but solves so many problems.
A phone with remote control apps
Whether you shoot on Sony or another brand, most systems now have great mobile control apps. I use my phone to adjust exposure, toggle record, monitor framing, and check focus. It saves so many unnecessary sprints back to the camera. However, sometimes the connection can be iffy (especially in mountainous areas), or the battery is limiting, so I also have an alternative to this if you’re budget allows below.
DJI Raven Eye or any form of wireless monitoring
The Raven Eye changed everything for me as I hate relying on my phone. Something like this uses on its own battery power and not the camera or your phone.
Magic arms, clamps, suction cups
These little tools let you mount your camera, monitor, your phone, lights and pretty much anything else wherever you need them. On the Jeep. On a tree branch. On the tripod legs. They are not glamorous but they are powerful for extra storytelling moments.
Audio, you do not have to worry about
If you are including sound in your story, it is worth having a simple clip mic you can trust or shoe shoe-mounted mic. I like anything that lets me set it and forget it, so I can focus on performance and movement.
Patience. So much patience
Honestly, it is the most important part of the kit list. Filming yourself requires you to slow down and repeat things until they feel right. You will get accidental shots of you jogging into position or brushing hair out of your face or laughing because the wind knocked something over. These moments are part of it. They make you a better filmmaker because they teach you timing and rhythm and how to build a scene with intention. Make sure you have a large empty SD card with you when heading out to film!
These tools are what work for me, and allow me to forget about the tech and focus on the story.
Crafting a scene when you are the entire crew
The biggest shift for me came when I stopped thinking of myself as someone who was just trying to capture a few nice shots and started thinking of myself almost as my own client. It might sound a little unusual, but stay with me. When you approach a self-filmed shoot the same way you would a normal production, the whole process becomes easier. You start creating with purpose and intention, building sequences and deeper stories instead of standalone clips. There are plenty of times when I go out into nature without a camera and just enjoy the moment, and I value that deeply. But when the camera does come with me I am fully focused and committed to creating something meaningful.
I love to choose locations that give me natural depth and movement. I build simple stories around actions. Coffee making. Moving the Jeep to catch better light. Packing bags. Walking through a forest. These scenes feel authentic because they are real parts of my day.
Once the tripod is set and the monitor is connected, I rehearse the scene exactly as I would if someone else were filming. Blocking, timing, small movements, details. When I step into the frame I know what the camera is seeing and I can focus on being present.
Filming yourself teaches you how to be both aware and unaware at the same time. Aware enough to hit your marks but relaxed enough to let the moment feel natural. That balance is the art of it.
What I have learned as a creator who lives both sides of the lens
Shooting this way has shaped the way I approach all my work, even with my Adrift Visuals clients! It has made me more thoughtful with composition, more intentional with pacing, and more curious about storytelling. It has pushed me to experiment with new perspectives and to embrace imperfections.
It has also made me appreciate tools that support creativity without getting in the way. The is one of those tools. They make it possible to stay in the moment instead of being pulled out of it.
Bringing it all together
Being in front of and behind the camera at the same time is not about being perfect. It is about learning how to build a story around yourself. It is about trusting your instincts and permitting yourself to create without waiting for someone else to press record.
It is vulnerable and sometimes messy but it is also incredibly rewarding. Every time I film myself I learn something new. About light. About patience. About how I move through the world.
If you are thinking about trying it, give yourself the space to play. Lean into the process. Use tools that support you and do not overthink the rest. The best stories often come from the simplest moments. I hope it inspires you to experiment with your own self-filmed stories and to enjoy both sides of the lens!
Thank you for reading!
