Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review for Photographers: Best for BTS?
Let’s dig into my Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review for photographers! I’ll discuss what types of sessions these work for, which they don’t, how they work and the pros and cons of these particular glasses.
Why Meta Glasses?
Behind the scenes videos are a critical part of any photographer’s social media advertising. When audiences see real reactions, genuine excitement, and candid moments, they connect with the people behind the business, not just the product. People also trust authentic content more than staged advertisements. Behind the scenes videos come across as honest, and help build your brand reputation.
While most photographers realize the importance of taking and showing behind the scenes videos, it’s not always easy to do. Tripods are a hassle, and it’s not always feasible to hire an extra set of hands just for taking video. This is where Ray Ban Meta Glasses really shine. Scroll below to see my Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review to find out more!
Why Behind the Scenes Content Is Important for Photographers
People trust authentic content
According to Linked In Business, Authentic content can generate 41% higher engagement than staged content. People trust authentic content from your brand. While they do want to see the pretty pictures, they’re also interested in the experience that leads to that end product. There are a hundred other photographers your clients could choose from who deliver pretty photos. There’s only one YOU. Your behind the scenes experience is what sets you apart. Your clients want to see your face. They want to see HOW you do what you do.
Video is the most powerful content form online
The Trust Agency states that 89% of consumers say watching a video convinced them to buy a product or service. Behind-the-scenes videos perform especially well because they combine education, storytelling, and entertainment. Videos have a way to capture attention far better than photos. And the best videos are those that show different perspectives and aspects of your business.
Behind the Scenes build emotional connection
Emotional connection with a brand is a leading reason why clients choose one brand over another. People trust brands that they connect with- and there is no better way to build trust and connection than seeing a brand in action. Real, genuine, candid moments lend a feeling of honesty and vulnerability that we just love. You don’t have to be perfect- in fact those imperfect moments (followed up with the beautiful photos that you can still capture) can carry a powerful message that moms (who normally book the session) can relate to. They love knowing that even if they bring you an imperfect, messy, family, you’ll be able to give them pictures they’ll love.
What are Meta Glasses?
Meta glasses were created by Meta (formerly Facebook) for the purpose of creating video content. There are currently two brand that create Meta Glasses: Ray Ban and Oakley. In this Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review I’m choosing to focus on Ray Ban, since I liked this Skylar style the best. Meta Glasses have an embedded camera mounted in the glasses frame directly to the side of the glass. They’re amazing for hands-free recording, with a speaker feature allowing you to give voice commands to the glasses, and also a button that you can use to quietly start and stop video or take photos.
Meta glasses also link via bluetooth to your phone, allowing you to listen to music or even answer phone calls right through the glasses. Content is recorded directly to the glasses, and then syncs easily to download onto your phone when you’re ready through the meta glasses app. Content will be available in your photos/video gallery. The glasses case has its own battery storage, and charges the glasses when they’re stored inside.
I Discuss Using Ray-Ban Meta Glasses During a Photography Session: Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review
How do Ray Ban Meta Glasses Work in a Photography Session for Behind the Scenes Video?
Ray Ban Meta Glasses work great for almost all of the types of photo sessions I do. Since I don’t normally wear glasses, the weight of them on my face helps me remember that I need to take behind the scenes video. The beauty of these babies is that while they connect easily to your phone to transfer photos and video, they actually record directly to the glasses. This means you don’t have to actually be paired with your phone for the video and photo to work. You can also be doing other things with your phone- like taking other videos (from another angle) or playing music for your clients.
All you do to begin the video is click and hold the button on the top right side of your glasses. To end the video, click and hold again. A light will appear on the front of the glasses to show you’re recording, and there’s also a dim light inside your glasses to show that you’re recording. This is really helpful, as you don’t want to THINK you’re recording and then realize you aren’t. The video recording will also automatically shut off after three minutes of recording. Alternatively, you can set the glasses up to accept voice commands. These commands include “Hey Meta, take a picture,” or “Hey Meta, record a video.”
Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review: Video and Audio Quality Example
This full three minute video is uncut and unfiltered, showing the video and audio quality of the Skylar Ray Ban Meta Glasses. This was taken in my studio for a cake smash session. I’m using a single off-camera strobe for lighting left of screen. I also have a light on in the sitting room of my studio to the right. This would be considered a minimal lighting situation, but you can see the quality of the video is still high.
Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review: Pros and Cons for Photographers
Pros
Simple to take behind the scenes video
Works great for Family Sessions, Cake Smash Sessions, Senior Portraits, Milestone Sessions, Mini Sessions
Wearing the glasses is an extra reminder to take BTS video
Stores data to glasses, so you can use your phone for other things
Easily transfers photo/video to phone for social media posting
Great for hands-free, natural POV footage
Fun extra bonuses, like listening to music, answering calls, “what am I looking at?”
Battery life seems adequate for photo sessions
Cons
Wish there was better sizing for smaller faces
Doesn’t work at closer distances (like newborn sessions). Angle makes video weird.
Photographer isn’t visible in video, so other (additional) angles can be helpful.
3 minute video maximum means you have to remember to re-start video.
Where to buy Ray Ban Meta Glasses
You can purchase Ray Ban Meta Glasses online, but I recommend checking out local stores for sample glasses. At the time I purchased these Skylar Ray Ban Meta Glasses, one of our local Best Buy stores had sample Meta Glasses that you could try on. This was very helpful for me, as I wanted a pair that looked nice on my face and I was also concerned about finding a pair that wasn’t too big for head. I ended up getting the Skylar version, which is not what I had originally planned on. Trying them on in person was really helpful. No matter how many Ray Ban Meta Glasses Reviews you read, there’s no substitute for actually putting them on your face.
Ray Ban Meta Glasses Bonuses
While these things aren’t necessary for filming behind the scenes videos, I really enjoy these bonuses when using Meta Glasses.
Music
You can stream music from your phone directly into your glasses. There’s a microphone right in the temple of the glasses, and so it plays almost directly into your ear. Even with music on medium volume, people nearby don’t hear it. I enjoyed this on my way to and from outdoor sessions, and waiting for clients to show up. Playing music WHILE doing a session might have been a little distracting, but that’s a personal preference.
Answering calls
You phone calls will come directly into the glasses. Audio quality on my end was excellent- I’m not sure about the other end. But I loved chatting hands-free with my Meta Glasses.
What am I looking at
This is a super fun feature of Meta Glasses. If you have voice commands activated, you can just say “Hey Meta, what am I looking at?” and it will give you a detailed description of whatever you are looking at. While I haven’t taken these on vacation, I imagine it would be a really fun extra feature. It would also be a great way to get fun photos and video hands free, without having to pull out your phone and get to the camera.
Personal Use
Since having these glasses, I’ve loved using them for our family outings. They’re great at sporting events and music performances, as they aren’t as invasive as holding up your phone to get video. It’s so simple to stop and start video! And it’s just like wearing normal glasses. My Skylar glasses even have transition lenses so they turn into sunglasses outdoors.
In Summary: My Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review
I bought these Ray Ban Meta Glasses to film behind the scenes video, and they have done that and more. Even though I can’t really use them for newborn sessions, which is my bread-and-butter, my Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review is that these glasses get two thumbs way up, and I’m so glad I have them. They’ve been a helpful business purchase and have been enjoyable in my family life as well. I just REALLY wish there were other styles better suited to smaller faces.
