When I was working for Fashion Magazine, we had an idea to start including short behind-the-scenes videos with models and staff in some issues. We would take turns interviewing each other about the creative process, from conception to completion. It took some time to get used to having cameras around all the time but it was worth it because people loved hearing about how things were made and why certain choices were made. Seeing the faces and stories of the people who brought everything together really helped readers connect more deeply with the publication.
The interviews often began with asking a few questions that focused on what inspired an issue's theme, like "What did you see when you looked through your Instagram feed this week?" One model told us she found her inspiration while traveling abroad and another said his came from seeing old photos of himself. Some answers were so detailed and specific they almost sounded like poems! We also asked about any challenges faced during photo shoots, like dealing with weather or lighting issues. And of course, we wanted to know about their favorite products or techniques.
Once we got comfortable filming these mini features, we started incorporating them into articles too. For example, if there was an article on makeup trends for spring, we might include footage of our beauty editor swatching eyeshadows on a model as she spoke about which colors were most popular right now. This transparency strengthens the trust and relatability of the brand, letting readers know that real people are making decisions based on research rather than just guessing at what will be popular next season. It gives them insight into the inner workings of the industry while giving us a chance to show off our expertise without coming across as pretentious.
We tried other types of behind-the-scenes content too - some videos featured interviews with designers discussing how they planned outfits while others showed fashion editors browsing racks full of clothes before selecting items for shoots. Our goal was always to give viewers an inside look into what goes into producing each magazine piece without sacrificing quality control in terms of content or visuals. People seemed to appreciate it because it made them feel more connected to the whole process instead of just consuming something finished without understanding where it came from.