Between late 2025 and early 2026, I created a series of 120 short videos exploring Stoke Newington’s history, designed specifically for Instagram and Facebook.

Format and Distribution

Each video is brief, usually 30 to 40 seconds, and built around a simple format: short clips filmed on location, combined with archival images and light on-screen captions. The aim is to communicate one clear idea at a time, without requiring sound or long explanations.

All videos are produced in a vertical format. This is intentional, as vertical video performs better on phones, where most people view social media, and tends to gain more views and engagement than horizontal footage.

This shift was shaped by how platforms now prioritise short-form video, particularly for reaching people who do not already follow my work. The format allowed the content to travel further, introducing local history to a wider audience.

Process and Content

Creating these videos changed how I work. Instead of relying on single images, they combine movement, sequence and timing. Archival material is placed alongside present-day footage to show continuity and change in a direct way. Topics range from boundary markers and street details to the sites of lost buildings and former businesses.

The format also introduced a constraint. Most videos are not watched for more than a few seconds, so capturing attention at the start became central. Developing ways to hold attention beyond the first three seconds became a creative challenge I was keen to explore.

While grounded in the same research as my other work, these videos are concise. The use of short clips and minimal captions keeps them easy to follow and suited to social media viewing.

Browse all 120 Reels I’ve created in this Google Drive folder.