There’s really nothing amateur about amateur porn! As you may already know, many amateur Models are finding financial success within this category. It’s a popular way to make your mark in the adult entertainment industry, seeing significant growth and popularity in recent years due to its intimate look and feel.
Here at Pornhub, amateur is actually listed among the top 10 most popular search terms on our entire site! In 2023 alone, it was searched over 889 million times (time to get your name in there?).
If you’re ready to learn how to make amateur content that’s sexy, enticing, AND professional-looking, we’re here to share the insights to get you going and start racking up those view counts:
Setting The Scene
The first step is setting your scene and story. Both help heat the overall mood of your production, whether it’s a speedy poolside fling with your new neighbor or an all-night fetish fantasy. Here are a few must-haves:
- A clean space: Nothing kills the mood faster than a pile of laundry, distracting computer cables or dusty furniture. Make sure you have a tidy space that keeps the focus on you and your best assets! And don't forget to keep any pets out of the scene too.
- Great lighting: We all know consistent, natural light is perfect for content creation. If you're shooting at night or in a dark room, use soft, warm lighting that creates depth and highlights your skin tone. Any harsh overhead lighting may cause unflattering shadows or reduce the quality of your video. You can test floor lamps, soft boxes like ‘Illuminate Mate’ or LED ring lights.
- Props and decor: One way to make your video unique is with some sexy extras. From role-play costumes to oil, vibrators, and fairy lights – try to enhance your scene without it stealing the spotlight.
- A captivating storyline: If you spend time on anything, make sure it’s this. Whether your style is a casual yet sensual bedroom affair with your lover or a more X-rated role-play between you and your sub, plan your video beforehand to make sure the end product feels well put together with a beginning, middle, and end. Many of our most watched videos include natural dialogue, so think about how you can use conversation to guide your storyline.
Filming Essentials
This one goes without saying; you’ll need a good-quality camera or smartphone with HD capabilities to create your videos. There’s nothing worse than a steamy scene where the faces or bodies aren’t in focus. You’ll need to make sure your camera is fully stable at a good angle, so do some testing with a tripod or secure surface beforehand to get that money-shot position. For anyone considering POV videos, try practicing with handheld and head-mount shots.
It’s also good to note that high angles can accentuate your physical attributes, while low angles can be powerful. And for a more intimate feel, you can move your camera a little closer. Just make sure you’re always focusing on the action and your best features. Think about your viewers throughout and how you can make the scene more exciting for them through show-all positions and different stages of arousal.
Some Models find it beneficial to film with multiple cameras so they can test and incorporate different shots, perspectives, and camera angles. Here’s what Brand Ambassador, Ricky Johnson, said on filming:
“For my amateur content, I try to be as simple as possible. It’s just two iPhones catching two angles without site of the other, using whatever natural light is in the room...Less is more for me so it’s never some crazy super expensive set up, my focus is more on the person I work with.”
Dress (or Undress) to Impress
The way you show up helps to set the style and tone of your video. Completely naked or with a specific category in mind like erotic or fantasy, what you wear – or don’t wear – can boost your confidence and help viewers find exactly what they like.
We’re talking sultry or hardcore lingerie. Costumes like naughty nurse, bunny masquerade, or Chun Li cosplay and other video game characters. And of course, the classic - birthday suit.
Choose whatever makes sense for you, your Co-Performer, and the types of videos you would like to create or become known for. How to film amateur content is ultimately down to you.
For more inspiration, check out our most searched terms and characters from our 2023 year in review:
Get Comfortable
It doesn’t matter if it’s your first or fifteenth time…being in front of the camera can be nerve-wracking. You’re (semi) naked and about to perform. But the great thing about amateur porn is that it’s all within your control, and there are many ways to help you relax for both a great scene partner and viewer experience:
- Practice: It can help to spend some time in front of a mirror or taking a few (a lot!) of practice shots. Learning your best angles and skills will help you feel more comfortable and confident when the camera’s rolling. You’ll also know which positions to avoid, like that awkward bathroom counter which sounded sexier than it looked…
- Consent: If you're filming with a Co-Performer, consent is non-negotiable. Always discuss your boundaries, desires, and any specific ideas you want to try before you start. Have both parties on the same page - at all times.
- Most importantly, have fun: Remember creating content is supposed to be enjoyable. Laugh, play, or do whatever you need to ensure you’re satisfied and happy with the overall experience.
Audio & The Sound of Pleasure
Ever watch adult movies without the sound? It’s really not the same experience... Your audio should be just as important as your visuals, with clear, crisp sound that makes for an immersive and exciting viewing.
Whether it’s a homage to pillow talk or just a few juicy moans, here’s how to film amateur movies that sound as good as they look:
- Microphone: If possible, we recommend using an external microphone to capture clear audio. Our favorite go-to is the Rode video mic. That’s because smartphone mics sometimes pick up unwanted background noise that can be difficult to remove.
- Volume: Keep the volume at a comfortable (yet audible) level and avoid noises that could be distracting like car horns, phone notifications, or microwaves.
- Dialogue: Pillow talk or natural conversation is a tried and tested ingredient for any video. A great example of this is Brooke Tilli who uses dialogue as a key component in her stories. Whether it’s describing what’s happening or what you want to do next, or a few sensual moans, whispers and breathing, think about how you can use your voice to enhance the experience.
Length of Recording
Perhaps the length of your video is something you haven’t considered yet? With our expert insights, you’ll notice long-format videos are the most popular on our site. In fact, longer videos help to make your amateur content look and feel professional, while maintaining your viewer’s full attention. It’s all about creating an immersive experience - and this will ensure you have enough time to include a beginning, middle, and strong climactic end to your story.
We recommend videos that are above 7 minutes, with a sweet spot of around 10 minutes as shown below:
Edit Like a Pro
We’ve all scrolled popular social media platforms and felt the power of great editing. And the same applies when you’re learning how to shoot porn at home.
The right software, perspective, and enhancements can turn your raw footage into a powerhouse piece of art with thousands of views. With user-friendly editing software like iMovie, Adobe Premiere, CapCut, or even smartphone apps like InShot, you can create the look you want by removing unwanted clips, building a coherent narrative with transitions, adding music, or adjusting light and sound settings if necessary.
You may need to pay for some software and features, but it can be worth the investment for professional-looking content.
Privacy and Security
At Pornhub, we’re serious about your security and privacy. Before shooting any scenes, it’s important to remove any personal information from your recording environment. This could be anything from family photos to graduation certificates.
Each video uploaded must comply with the Terms of Service of our website, Policies, and Community Guidelines. You’ll also need to verify your account prior to uploading content, as well as each Co-Performer in your video. One of the most common reasons videos aren’t approved on Pornhub is because a Model has not provided all the verification documents for their Co-Performers, such as their ID or proof of consent. We recognize this is a pain point and are working on a new tagging system called Collaborators to help facilitate the verification process.
After becoming an exclusive Model on Pornhub, you can also submit DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) takedown requests with our help, as our team reviews the top tube sites for stolen content and provide content protection services. You may want to add a personal watermark to prevent any unauthorized use of your videos too.
As leaders in the adult entertainment industry, we work hard to keep our Models safe and respect their privacy and rights. Therefore, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to log in to your account, select the appropriate support, and contact our Model Success Team. We’d be happy to help in any way we can.
TL;DR The Overall Take on How to Make Amateur Adult Content
Despite what some may think, amateur porn requires careful planning and consideration. You need a seductive storyline, clean space, and a heavy sprinkling of artistic creativity and skills. It’s also a great way to celebrate your body, ideas, and the connection you share with your partner. As a Model, it’s important to feel proud of your work and enjoy the process.
Ready to share some homemade videos? Create your free account here or explore other amateurs to get inspired.
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