DIY: Head-Mounted Camera Options

Your phone must be mounted for a first-person, top-down view — like looking through your own eyes. Chest-mounted or fixed-position cameras are not acceptable, even if the footage happens to look downward. Use whichever of the three options below fits the materials you have, or a mount you already own (headband, hat clip, strap, etc.).

Option 1: Phone Clip and Baseball Cap

Materials: a baseball cap, a smartphone, and a phone holder/clip (from a tripod or selfie stick).

Steps
Flatten the brim of the hat as much as possible.
Insert the phone into the clip, making sure the camera lens is not covered and no buttons are accidentally pressed.
Slide the hat brim between the phone and the clip so the phone hangs downward for maximum stability. Pro tip: reinforce the setup with tape to eliminate wobbling.
Face the screen toward your eyes to monitor the frame, or face the camera outward if someone can assist you.

Option 2: Cap and Tape

Materials: a baseball cap, a smartphone, and strong tape (e.g., masking tape).

Steps
1. Flatten the brim of the hat.
2. Tape the top edge of the phone to the brim so they are touching.
3. Attach the corners of the phone to the sides of the brim and reinforce with additional tape.
4. Flip the hat over and securely tape the bottom of the phone to the sides of the brim to prevent wobbling.

Option 3: Non-Elastic Strap and Tape

Materials: a smartphone, strong tape, and a non-elastic strap (a belt or a rolled-up towel works well).

• Tighten the strap so it fits securely around your head, resting just above the ears.

• Remove the strap to attach the phone, and secure the bottom of the phone tightly to the strap.

• Leave some slack in the tape at the top of the phone so it can point downward — this keeps your hands in frame.

• Verify with a mirror, a second phone, or another person that your hands are clearly visible before you start recording.

Can you place your phone on TOP of your hat?

Yes, but this creates some challenges:

Angle: Adjust the angle to ensure the phone is pointing down. Wobble: To prevent wobbling, secure the sides of the phone as much as possible and reinforce tape on the brim. In-frame: It can be hard to verify your hands are in frame. You can check this by keeping a mirror nearby, having a friend to spot you, or using streaming software, such as EpocCam or Camo, to check.

General Mounting Rules (apply to all options)

• Top-down perspective: always angle the camera to film downward. Never strap a camera to your chest.

• Calibrate your frame: before recording, confirm your hands are visible, the lens is clean and unobstructed by tape or equipment, and the image is right-side up. 

• Eliminate wobble: reinforce your mount so there's no wobble when you move — even professional equipment should be checked and taped if needed.