60 B-Roll Ideas for Instagram Reels You Can Film Today

B-roll is the footage that plays under your text, your voiceover or your hook. It's how you post a Reel without talking to camera, and it's what keeps people watching when you do.

The secret isn't being some cinematic genius. It's having a bank of clips ready to go, so you're not scrambling to film a coffee pour at 10pm because you forgot to post. Here are 60 shots, grouped so you can knock out a whole section in one go.

Morning and coffee

The b-roll starter pack. Everyone films these because they work.

• Pouring coffee into a mug, filmed from the side
• Steam rising off a cup in window light
• Hands wrapping around a warm mug
• Frothing milk (bonus points for latte art, no judgement if it's a blob)
• Opening the curtains
• Making the bed, pulling the sheet tight
• Feet in slippers padding across the floor
• Sliding a croissant onto a plate
• Journalling next to a coffee
• Picking up a takeaway cup off a counter

Workspace

• Opening a laptop
• Typing, close up on hands (nails done, ideally)
• Scrolling your phone, over the shoulder
• Writing a to-do list and ticking something off. So satisfying.
• Lighting a candle
• Flipping through a planner
• A slow pan across a tidy desk (tidy it first, we can see the receipts)
• Plugging in your phone
• Sticking a note on your monitor
• Closing the laptop at the end of the day

Hands and details

• Rings and nails resting on a table
• Turning the pages of a book
• Tapping a card to pay
• Opening a package
• Tying a ribbon on a gift
• Arranging flowers in a vase
• Running your fingers over a knit or fabric
• Zipping up a bag
• Grabbing your keys
• Pressing a lid onto a jar

Getting ready

• Applying lip product in the mirror, lips only
• Pumping serum onto your fingertips
• Spraying perfume
• Brushing your hair, filmed from behind
• Choosing an outfit off the rail
• Putting in earrings
• Slipping on shoes
• Grabbing your coat on the way out
• The mirror selfie, phone covering your face
• Laying out your skincare on a tray

Out and about

• Walking, filmed from behind
• Feet on stairs or pavement
• Getting into the car
• Walking into a cafe
• Swinging a shopping bag while you walk
• Looking out a car or train window, main-character style
• Sitting down at an outdoor table
• Flowers or trees moving in the wind
• Closing the front door behind you
• Sunset from a balcony or window

Product and process

• Placing your product on a clean surface
• A slow push-in towards the product
• Product in use, hands only
• Packing an order
• Writing a thank-you note
• Unboxing, from above
• Swatches or texture shots
• Before and after, same angle
• Products lined up in a row
• Handing the product to someone off camera

How to film it so it actually looks good

• Face the window. Natural side light beats a ring light for this look every single time.
• Hold each shot for 8 to 10 seconds. You'll only use 2 or 3, but you need room to trim.
• Film every action 3 ways: wide, medium and close up. One coffee pour, three clips. You're welcome.
• Move slowly or not at all. A slow push-in looks expensive. Shaky footage looks like a hostage video.
• Clear the background. Move the bin, the cables and the washing pile. The camera sees everything.
• Stick to your palette. If your brand is warm neutrals, don't film in front of your bright blue feature wall.

How to use it

Put a hook in text on the first clip, then cut between 3 or 4 b-roll shots while your caption or voiceover does the talking. Tips, lists, "things I wish I knew", myths and FAQs all work beautifully over b-roll.

No time to film all 60? Or need footage that matches across ten client accounts? Vault Socials has 1,400+ vertical b-roll clips in exactly this style, licensed for social and ads.