Is Vertical Video Killing Creativity?

Vertical video has taken over our screens. Scroll through TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts, and you're staring down a cascade of vertical clips, one after another. It's fast, it's engaging, and it's everywhere. But here's the real question: is it limiting our creativity or changing how we express it?

Key Takeaways

• Vertical video dominates mobile-first platforms, but it may not always serve deeper storytelling

• Many creators feel tension between audience reach and creative integrity

• Your video format should match your intent, not just your platform

• Creativity thrives when you're intentional about the tools you choose, including orientation

Unlocking Creative Potential in Video Creation

When I think about creating video, it feels like this open field. You can go in any direction. But with the rise of vertical content, it sometimes feels like the path is being narrowed before you even start. Creativity doesn’t come from squeezing into a frame that doesn’t fit. It comes from knowing how you like to tell stories.

Everyone’s got a different lens. Some of us lead with storytelling, others get deep into visual aesthetics. And the trick? Tapping into your personal creative rhythm instead of mimicking what’s trending.

If lighting is your jam, play with shadows and color temperature. If dialogue drives your message, focus on scripting and pacing. There’s no formula here. What matters is recognizing what lights you up and letting that be the engine of your work.

Embrace Your Creative Orientation

Creativity has a direction. Not a moral one, but a visual one. And when it comes to video, that direction used to be horizontal. Wide. Landscape. The way we naturally see the world.

So when vertical video came in hot, thanks to smartphones and on-the-go viewing, it flipped that whole perspective. And I’ll be honest, it still doesn’t feel right to me when I’m trying to create something with emotional depth. Like trying to stuff a love letter into a Post-it note.

This isn't only about preference. The creative format you use should serve your content, not the other way around. A 60-second tip video? Vertical might work. A story that unfolds with cinematic pacing and visual layering? That’s where horizontal still shines.

Format vs. Function: Does Vertical Limit Expression?

Vertical video isn’t inherently worse. It’s useful. It’s built for where we spend our time, which is usually on our phones. But here’s the thing: when you’re chasing views, it’s easy to lose track of why you’re making videos in the first place.

Think about how we consume stories. Books are long. Films are wide. Podcasts give space for nuance. But vertical video? It’s fast food. Addictive and efficient, but it rarely feeds the soul.

You ever watch a documentary clip in portrait mode and feel like something’s missing? Like the edges of the story got cropped out? That’s the feeling I wrestle with as a creator. The form sometimes just can’t hold the weight of the message.

Navigating the Landscape of Video Creation

There’s this constant push and pull between creativity and visibility. If you want the algorithm to notice you, vertical video is the bait. But if you want to tell a layered, intentional story, it might feel like a compromise.

I get it. We want people to see our work. We want that dopamine hit of engagement. But that can’t be the only reason we create. When the algorithm becomes your director, your creativity takes a back seat.

There’s also something else happening. Social media isn’t only shifting our content, it’s reshaping how we think about creativity. You start second-guessing yourself. Is it too long? Too slow? Too horizontal? That kind of mental chatter kills flow.

The fix? Stay grounded in your reasons. Create with intent. Ask yourself if you’re telling the story you want, or just chasing visibility.

Engaging Your Audience Without Losing Yourself

Connection matters. And yes, vertical video does that well. It feels personal, like you’re FaceTiming a friend. But when you’re trying to create impact, sometimes you need room to breathe.

I’ve started pulling back the curtain a bit. Sharing behind-the-scenes shots, asking people what they think mid-process, not waiting for something to be perfect before I share it. That’s where real engagement lives. In real-time connection.

And weirdly, the more I open up, the more feedback I get that actually helps me grow. People want to see the mess. They want the story behind the story. That’s what gets them to stick around.

Practical Moves for Creators Who Feel Stuck

If you’re trying to figure out your direction in video, here’s what’s helped me:

Set creative goals before hitting record

Are you trying to inform? Tell a story? Spark a feeling? Define that before you frame the shot.

Match the format to the message

Not every message belongs in a 9:16 box. If you’re planning a short film or an interview, consider going wide. If it’s a quick how-to or reaction video, vertical might serve it well.

Get feedback that matters

Ask your audience how they felt, not just what they liked. Emotional reaction is a stronger creative compass than likes.

Revisit your own content

What did you enjoy making the most? What still feels good when you rewatch it? That’s the direction your creativity naturally wants to go.

Protect your creative time

Turn off the noise. Don’t scroll before you film. Give yourself space to make without input.

The Creative Dilemma: Conform or Stay True?

This is the tension every creator feels. You want to be seen, but you also want to feel proud of what you made. Sometimes, those things conflict. Especially when vertical video is the ticket to exposure.

There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to play that game. I want to film how I see the world. In depth. In detail. In landscape. Not because it’s better, but because it feels true to what I want to say.

And maybe that means fewer views. Maybe that means a slower climb. But that’s okay if the work feels whole.

Owning Your Creative Direction

I’ve decided to stop letting the algorithm dictate my choices. If a format doesn't support the depth of the story I want to tell, I’m not using it. That’s not bitterness. That’s boundaries.

Creativity is expression, but it’s also a responsibility. I want my work to feel like a full conversation, not a headline. And for me, that means choosing tools and formats that support depth, even if the reach takes a hit.

If you feel that too, you’re not alone. There’s space for all of us to make what matters, even if it doesn’t perform in the usual way.

Final Thoughts: Is Vertical Video the Villain?

Not really. It’s just a tool. But like any tool, it can shape the work you make and how you feel making it. So use it wisely. Know its limits. And if it doesn’t feel right for what you’re trying to say, don’t force it.

Choose the format that supports your vision. Not the one that racks up the most views.

Who is Ramon Trotman as a Portrait | Headshot | Street Photographer?

If you're curious about the person behind the lens, my name's Ramon Trotman. I create because I need to. Creativity is where I find peace.

Check out my creative work here: Ramon Trotman's Creative Portfolio

I'm also pretty active over on Instagram. You can follow along here: @ramontrotman

If you're looking for creative collaborations, hit me up at: perspectiveramontrotman@gmail.com

For professional portrait and headshot sessions, you can reach me directly at: info@ramontrotman.studio or through my studio site: ramontrotman.studio