How to capture authentic BTS of gardening & cooking without perfectionism?

Embracing the Beauty of Imperfection

In a world saturated with curated feeds and flawless finished products, there’s a growing hunger for authenticity. For creators in gardening and cooking, capturing the behind-the-scenes (BTS) process offers a powerful way to connect with your audience. But how do you do it without falling into the trap of perfectionism, which often kills spontaneity and genuine moments?

The key lies in shifting your perspective: the ‘mess’ is often where the magic happens. The soil under your nails, the flour on your counter, the moment of frustration followed by triumph – these are the real stories that resonate. Your audience wants to see the journey, not just the destination.

Focus on the Process, Not Just the Product

When you’re trying to capture authentic BTS, let go of the pressure to create a polished, final-product-worthy shot. Instead, direct your lens towards the actions, the textures, and the raw emotions involved in your craft. Think about:

• Hands at work: Close-ups of hands kneading dough, potting a plant, chopping vegetables, or pruning a bush tell a story of effort and care.
• Ingredients and tools: Show the raw ingredients before they’re transformed, or the well-worn tools that are part of your everyday process. These details ground your content in reality.
• Natural light: Whenever possible, utilize natural light. It creates a more genuine, less staged feel than artificial setups. Don’t worry if the lighting isn’t studio-perfect; a slightly shadowed or dappled shot can convey character.

Capturing Candid Kitchen Moments

In the kitchen, authentic BTS might mean showing a spilled ingredient, a slightly burnt edge you have to trim, or the sheer joy of tasting something delicious straight off the stove. These aren’t failures; they’re moments of life. Use short video clips or burst photos to catch these fleeting, unposed instances.

The Garden’s Unscripted Narrative

Gardening offers a wealth of unscripted moments. The struggle of weeding, the surprise of a new bloom, the unexpected visit from a bee – these are all perfect for authentic BTS. Don’t clean up your garden specifically for the camera; show it as it truly is, with its quirks and natural beauty.

Think about showing the evolution: a seedling pushing through the soil, a plant recovering from a pest attack, or the first harvest from a new crop. These narratives are incredibly engaging because they mirror the challenges and rewards of real life.

Shift Your Mindset: Share, Don’t Perform

The biggest hurdle to authentic BTS is often psychological. We tend to feel that if it’s not perfect, it’s not worth sharing. Challenge this thought process. Your audience wants to relate to you, not just admire a flawless façade. They want to see that you’re human, that you face challenges, and that your passion shines through despite any imperfections.

• Embrace the ‘outtakes’: Sometimes the most authentic content comes from what you initially consider a mistake or an outtake.
• Narrate your process: If you’re creating video content, talk through what you’re doing, including why something didn’t go as planned or a tip you learned from a struggle.
• Be present: Try not to overthink the shot. Often, the best authentic moments are captured when you are fully immersed in the activity itself, and the camera is simply there to document.

The Power of Relatability

By shedding the need for perfection, you open the door to true relatability. When people see the effort, the learning curve, and the occasional mess, they feel more connected to you and more inspired to try gardening or cooking themselves. It makes your craft feel accessible, rather than intimidatingly flawless.

Authentic BTS content isn’t just about showing what goes on behind the scenes; it’s about building a deeper, more trusting relationship with your audience. It proves that passion and genuine effort are far more captivating than any airbrushed reality.