Outdoor Video Production in West Virginia for Tourism Brands
TL;DR
One shoot day can give you a website hero video, a handful of short social clips, and a stills library, if it's planned that way up front.
A local videographer knows when the light works, which roads are slow, and which overlooks are worth the hike. That saves you a day or two of scouting and travel.
Commercial aerials (I'm FAA Part 107 certified, which means the drone work is legal for business use) are part of the same day, not a separate production.
Send me what you need the video to do and a rough timeline. I'll send back a plan and a price.
Why most outdoor businesses are underserved on video
A lot of tourism boards, lodging owners, guide services, and gear shops in West Virginia have great photos. Video is where they fall behind. They have a phone clip from last summer, a drone shot a cousin took, and a website that opens on a static image.
That matters because video is what gets watched on social and what sits at the top of your homepage. It's also what a visitor checks before booking. They want to see what the place feels like, not just what it looks like.
What outdoor video production actually includes
When I say video production, I mean a few specific things.
Website hero video. A 15 to 30 second loop that plays behind your headline. It's short, quiet, and loads fast. This is the piece that changes how your homepage feels.
Short social cuts. Vertical clips for Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, cut from the same shoot day as the hero video. You get a stack of posts you can schedule over a month or two.
Brand or destination film. A 60 to 120 second piece for YouTube, your site, or a partner's presentation. This one has a story arc, usually built around a person, a place, or a season.
Aerial footage. Commercial drone video woven into all of the above. Drones show scale and location in a way nothing else does. You can read more on commercial aerial photo and video.
Matching stills. Photos from the same day, so your video, website, and print pieces look like one brand.
Why shoot with someone local
I've worked in the West Virginia mountains for about ten years. Here's what that gets you on a shoot:
Fewer wasted hours. I know which valleys hold fog in the morning, where the sun drops behind a ridge early, and how long the drive between locations actually takes.
Weather flexibility. Mountain weather changes fast. I'm close enough to move a shoot a day or grab a window when the clouds break.
No travel line item. You're not paying to fly or drive a crew in from out of state.
A shoot that feels easy. Clients tell me they expected a production circus. It's me, a few cameras, a drone, and a plan. You don't need to be on camera or manage anything.
I'm also a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) through the Professional Photographers of America, which means the stills that ride along with your video meet a set professional standard.
How a shoot day works
Quick call. We talk about what the video is for, who needs to see it, and where it will live.
Shot list and schedule. I build a plan around light, weather, and your people's availability. You approve it before we shoot.
Shoot day. Usually a half day or full day depending on locations. Ground video, aerials, and stills all happen on the same trip.
Edit and delivery. You get a review cut, one round of revisions, and final files sized for web and social.
Who this is for
Tourism boards and CVBs that need fresh destination content
Lodging, cabins, and campgrounds that want a stronger homepage and listing presence
Outdoor guide services and outfitters
Gear and apparel brands that need product in real terrain
Event organizers who want a recap that sells next year's ticket
I've done destination work across the Mon Forest Towns region, and I shoot action sports for brands and athletes. That mix of place and motion is what outdoor video needs.
Questions people ask
How much does outdoor video production cost? It depends on the number of locations, shoot length, and what you need delivered. A single hero video costs less than a full campaign with a destination film and social cuts. Send me the scope and I'll quote it.
Do you travel outside Pocahontas County? Yes. I'm based here and travel across West Virginia and beyond for the right project.
Can you work with our existing brand or agency? Yes. I can shoot to a creative brief and deliver files your team or agency edits further.
Do you handle drone footage? Yes. Commercial drone video is part of the work, and I carry the FAA certification needed for paid aerial jobs.
Next step
If you have a project in mind, send me the location, the rough timeline, and what the video needs to do. I'll reply with a plan and a price.