Patisserie chef BTS social video content
Having worked with the team previously on their Yurtbar promotional video, I jumped at the opportunity to collaborate again—this time capturing a wellness retreat at Yurtshire. The brief was to create engaging, ‘must book’ social-first content, all filmed in 4K vertical format.
To bring the experience to life, professional models were hired (which always helps the shoot run smoothly), and we spent the day filming across key locations on site. This included the sauna, freshwater lake, and yoga tent—each carefully chosen to showcase the calm, restorative experience guests can expect. Capturing these environments in a natural, authentic way is a key to an effective campaign.
How to film models in a freshwater lake
Despite the warm weather, the water was freezing, but the models did an incredible job of making it look effortless and enjoyable, not to mention the mud being churned up as they entered! The drone was flown out, and we managed to capture some beautiful slow-motion swimming.
The key was to have an idea of what I wanted (smiles, swimming together, out and back in one shot) and move fast to achieve it. The models were tired and cold, so I had to respect that. These authentic moments really helped communicate the sense of relaxation and escapism that a guest can experience.
How to film a wellness resort video
From a technical perspective, I used a combination of gimbal, drone, and handheld shooting, with most footage captured on the gimbal to maintain smooth, flowing movement. To enhance the sense of calm and serenity, key shots were filmed at 50fps, allowing for subtle slow-motion in the final edit, to create a more immersive feel
Filming with models for a video production
With the models available for only half a day, time management was key. Although it may sound like plenty of time, directing multiple takes, movements, and natural interactions quickly adds up. Fortunately, we had access to a golf cart, which made moving efficiently between locations much easier
After wrapping with the models, I captured additional drone footage to provide wide, establishing shots of the site. These clips worked perfectly as closing shots, with space to overlay branding and logos—something I often incorporate when delivering this type of video for social media.
Post production of a wellness retreat video
In post-production, I selected copyright-free music that reflected the calm and restorative tone of the retreat. Subtle sound design was also added—particularly in the lake sequence—using ambient water sounds to enhance the immersive, tranquil feel.
In total, I delivered three short-form videos optimised for social media, along with a small selection of supporting photographs captured during the shoot—helping the client promote their retreat across multiple platforms with cohesive visual content.