| |

Recording Video for Family History Records

ByGathered Heritage

Capturing video interviews and family stories is one of the most valuable ways to preserve your family history. Video lets you save not only the words spoken but also the personality, tone, and expressions that make each person unique. With a little preparation, you can make sure those recordings are clear, well-lit, and ready to enjoy for years to come.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I use personally and believe will be helpful for your family history projects.

Family Videos

1. Lighting for Small Spaceses

In smaller environments—such as a kitchen table or living room—lighting can make or break your video quality. Shadows, yellow tones, or dim lighting can make even the best footage look dull.

For most home interviews, I recommend using a ring light or LED video light to provide even, flattering lighting. I use the NEEWER 18-Inch Edge Lit Ring Light with Tripod Stand and Phone Holder for my own projects. It’s compatible with iPhones and other smartphones, has adjustable color temperature (from warm 2900K to daylight 7000K), and can be controlled via an app or 2.4G remote.

This style of lighting works particularly well for interviews because it reduces shadows and evenly lights the subject’s face.

2. Camera Recommendations

Photography has been a hobby of mine for many years, so I’ve invested in Canon equipment. While my personal gear may be more than a beginner needs, the same concepts apply no matter which camera brand you choose—Nikon, Sony, and others all make excellent models.

I currently use:

Even if you’re filming on a smartphone, the most important thing is to learn your camera’s settings, especially for video. Later on, I’ll be adding photography tutorials to the blog to help you make the most of whatever gear you have.

3. Choosing the Right Memory Card for Video

A great camera still needs the right memory card to keep up with recording demands. The wrong card can cause recording to stop unexpectedly—or worse, lose footage.

For my Canon EOS 6D and Canon EOS M6 Mark II, I use SDXC cards with high capacity (GB or TB shown in large print) and a high minimum sustained write speed. This setup works for me, but your ideal card type will depend on your camera model.

Tip: Check your camera’s manual or manufacturer’s website to confirm:

  • Card type (e.g., SDHC, SDXC, CFexpress, XQD, microSD)
  • Maximum supported capacity (some older cameras can’t read very large cards)
  • Recommended speed class for the resolution and frame rate you plan to record in

Understanding Video Speed Class

Look for the Video Speed Class rating, marked with a letter “V” followed by a number. For example, V90 means the card’s minimum sustained write speed will never drop below 90 MB/s. The higher the number, the better the card can handle high-resolution or high-frame-rate recording.

When selecting a card, you can often focus on the Video Speed Class rating and worry less about the other numbers—just make sure the card type matches your camera’s requirements.

You can find a detailed guide on selecting the right memory card here: How to Choose the Right Memory Card for Video Recording.

4. Final Thoughts

Whether you’re using a professional camera setup or your phone, the goal is the same—capture your family’s stories in a way that will last for future generations. With good lighting, the right camera, and a reliable memory card, you’ll be ready to record in confidence.

I’ll be sharing more photography and videography tips in upcoming posts, including camera settings, audio setup, and interview techniques to make your family history videos even better.

Similar Posts