Examples are illustrations. Swap in your own real numbers and stories; never invent them.
This was shot on a $[N] [LENS/CAMERA] from [YEAR]. The $[N] one I sold didn't make a difference and here's why.
“This was shot on a $180 lens from 2009. The $2,400 one I sold last year didn't make a difference and here's why.”
Contrarian hook for gear-skepticism content; show the photo in the first frame.
Say the claim flat and calm, then prove it within a few seconds. A contrarian line without proof reads as bait.
I shot [N] [JOBS] with [SETTING] on. Nobody told me it was [DOING BAD THING] the whole time.
“I shot 31 weddings with auto white balance on. Nobody told me it was shifting skin tones green in every reception photo.”
Confession hook for technical-mistake content; the count of affected jobs is the stake.
Say it like you are telling a friend. Follow with what you learned, so it reads as useful and not just dramatic.
I charged $[N] for my first [SESSION TYPE]. I charge $[N] now. The thing that changed wasn't my photos.
“I charged $75 for my first family session. I charge $1,100 now. The thing that changed wasn't my photos.”
Number-first hook for photo-business content; the 'wasn't my photos' twist is the hook.
Lead with the number in the first two words and put it on screen. Use your own real figure, never a made-up one.
I can tell a photo was taken by a beginner in [SHORT TIME]. It's never [OBVIOUS THING]. It's [SPECIFIC THING].
“I can tell a photo was taken by a beginner in about one second. It's never the focus. It's where the horizon line sits.”
Authority hook for critique content; viewers go check their own camera roll.
Name your credential in a few words, then go straight to the point. Only claim experience you actually have.
If your [PHOTO TYPE] look [PROBLEM], stop touching [SLIDER]. Fix [ACTUAL THING] and leave it alone.
“If your portraits look muddy, stop touching the clarity slider. Fix your white point and leave it alone.”
Direct hook for editing content; name the slider everyone overuses.
Talk to one viewer, not an audience. Short sentences, no warm-up, and put the key word on screen.
Three settings [PROFESSIONALS] change the second they unbox a camera that stay on default for everyone else.
“Three settings working photographers change the second they unbox a camera that stay on default for everyone else.”
Listicle hook for setup content; 'the second they unbox' makes it feel like insider knowledge.
Show the count on screen as text and keep each item short. Deliver the strongest item first or tease it by number.
I lost [N] photos from [IMPORTANT JOB] because of [SMALL CAUSE]. Here's the backup rule I've never broken since.
“I lost 900 photos from a wedding because of a $14 memory card. Here's the backup rule I've never broken since.”
Story hook for workflow content; the near-career-ending loss is what makes the rule worth watching.
Start mid-scene. Say the line in the first second, while something is already happening on screen, and skip any setup.
Why do [FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHER/PUBLICATION] photos look like that? It's one [TECHNIQUE] and you can do it on [CHEAP GEAR].
“Why do old National Geographic photos look like that? It's one lighting habit and you can do it on your phone.”
Question hook for technique-breakdown content; the 'on your phone' line removes the gear excuse.
Ask it straight to camera and pause half a beat. Only ask questions you answer in the video.
Pick your niche and we will email you 5 fill-in templates from the library, each with a pattern and a worked example. Free, no account needed.
Pick the template closest to your video, swap every [BRACKETED] part for your own specifics, and say it as your first line while a few words of it appear on screen. Use your own real numbers and stories; the examples are illustrations.
8 templates covering these types: Contrarian, Confession, Number first, Authority, Direct, List, Story, Question. Rotating types keeps your openings from sounding the same.
Paste it into the free hook analyzer for a quick text-only estimate. For a real answer, check the filmed draft in ViralAri, which scores the opening you actually recorded.
Check any short in about a minute: Ari scores the opening, flags the moments most likely to lose viewers, suggests 3 fixes and writes 5 hooks from what you say. Got a podcast or stream? Clip finder finds the best moments in videos up to 15 minutes.