Blogging Equipment: Tripod, Blogging lighting, and Cameras
A frequent question I get on social media is “What do you use to shoot your videos?”.
So today I’m sharing all the blogging equipment I own and hopefully, you will find something in this post that will help you.
I’ve been a blogger for years and have also been creating content for companies like Fiskars and Tombow and for me my photos and video quality is of utmost importance. I like my content to be bright, with minimal shadows and have true colors captured. The Blogging Lighting I use have all been tested for this and work for me.
But I’m also a mom who works from home around her kid’s schedule in a state where the sun sets at 4 pm in winter. So I have to work creatively.
Somedays I shoot in my kitchen, somedays in my basement, somedays by a window and somedays under studio lights. So my photography needs vary from day to day.
So in today’s post, I’ll share the three most important pieces of blogging equipment you need to begin: An overhead tripod, Blogging lighting options, and a camera.
I started blogging almost 9 years ago and over the years I have slowly built my blogging equipment to what it is today. You don’t need all of these, start small and build as you go.
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Tripod:
If you plan to shoot top view videos, the first thing you’ll need is a good tripod.
You can start by filming videos on your phone with sunlight coming from a large window. But you will need a good quality tripod to begin.
A great everything beginner tripod is this Vangaurd Alta Pro
A game-changer for me though has been this Manfrotto tripod. I’ve had this now for over 5 years, and it has definitely paid its worth. Highly recommend it.
It comes with an Q90 column (an arm that extends parallel to the ground) that is perfect for shooting videos or photos.
Pros, this tripod has quick power locks for the legs, easy to set up and break down, it’s light and easy to travel with.
Cons, it’s pricey. You’ll have to look at it as an investment.
NOTE: I would also recommend that you get a good tripod head– I have this older model that swivels and goes in all different angles. Pans complete 360 degrees. Bonus, it comes with the camera plate needed. It holds my heaviest camera and I don’t have to worry.
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT: to buy this tripod phone adapter (it’s under 10 bucks and will make it super easy to use your phone with this tripod)
Blogging Lighting:
Before we talk about cameras, let’s address Blogging lighting. My basement is often my studio because I live in snowy Minnesota where the sun sets around 4pm in winter. So studio lights save my day! I have few different light options for you.
Lighting can make or kill a video, so this is a big deal. You don’t want dark shadows in your videos and you want an even white light preferably.
1. A Ring light
You will need an 18inch size one to light up your sketchbook nicely. I have this light but have heard great reviews of this newer one. Great light, works beautifully with a big camera or phone.
2. A pair of Large studio box lights:
CONS, these are bulky, not easily portable, and take time to set up. PROS, these never fail and can light up larger areas beautifully. I can film into the night with no worries. Here I have two lights and a big reflector to brighten everything in my basement.
I have this AmazonBasics Portable Photo Studio
Pros, this lightbox is portable, bright, and easy to store and use. I use it mostly for Instagram time-lapses. Cons, it does heat up a lot and generates a lot of heat when used for a prolonged time.
I had gotten tired of lugging my studio lights up and down the stairs. Now they permanently stay in the basement.
4. Natural Sunlight
This will always remain my first choice for blogging lighting! The biggest CON, you work when the sun shines. If it is a cloudy day, the sun might hide behind the clouds and there goes your light!
Try using a reflector to remove harsh shadows at high noon. Don’t have a reflector? I often shut the curtains (we have white translucent curtains in our living area) when the afternoon light is too bright to film.
You can pick up white poster boards from your local Target or Staples. They make great backdrops, reflectors and inexpensive to replace. These colored poster boards (especially the pink) are a cute option too
Cameras:
Really, all you need is just an Apple iPhone.
If you are looking for more, the camera I still use and have had for years now is the Canon 5D Mark ii. The photo quality you get with this camera will blow your mind!
As a content creator, this was my biggest buy and I don’t regret the decision for one second.
For video though, this camera is not as intuitive as you would think, I end up using the manual focus ring on my lens to capture my video in the manner I want. The video quality you get is outstanding again but it takes some getting used to. I have this wireless remote for all of my photography.
A great beginner option for a camera is the Canon T8i series. Way back when, even before I began blogging, my first camera was an older version of this, the T2i. We did all of our baby’s infant photography with this camera and forayed my way into photography with it. It is a great affordable camera that will allow you to learn everything you need about a DSLR.
Even if you don’t buy an expensive camera, always try to invest in a great lens. The Canon 50mm 1.4 EF lens is my favorite lens, and a great one to have in your kitty. This is the only fancy lens I own and I bought it with my T2i years ago. The bokeh you can achieve with this lens is stunning. This lens is also great for portraits. And also if you are doing a selfie intro video of yourself for the beginning of your YouTube video.
A great way to learn about lenses is to go to your local camera shop and rent a fancy lens for a weekend. Explore and take photos with it and compare a few lenses before you commit to one
Using your phone ONLY
If you are just focused on Instagram, your phone will definitely be enough.
For my Instagram videos, I mainly use my iPhone and I have two small tripods right now, famously called Gorilla pods. This one is awesome for when you are traveling. It is compact, versatile, and flexible. This other tripod is gooseneck, great for overhead shots, and perfect while working on a tabletop or to clip to a chair. You don’t need both of these, just pick which one works best for you.
These phone tripods are not too expensive but they wear easily with usage. I end up purchasing a new one every 6 to 9 months.
A quick fix light for all things is a Ring light that clips onto your phone. A small one like this will also help a lot!
TIP: Surround your work area with white poster boards or paint the inside of a cardboard box white and see if that helps. Work by a window or try catching the early morning soft sun for your videos.
My favorite video apps on my iPhone are Hyperlapse, A Color Story, Chromic, and Quik.
To complete this post, I want to say that you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment at all times. I make videos, I also do a lot of still product photography and so my blogging equipment and blogging lighting needs vary.
If you have any other questions for me. leave me a comment below 🙂
I periodically update this post with my most recent blogging equipment purchases but you can track all of my latest finds here.
Hi I’m Smitha! I live in Minnesota with my husband and two daughters. You’ll always find me painting florals in my sketchbook. And I love the sheer joy of making something with just my hands! But my bigger love is capturing it all on camera Read more.
Thanks for stopping by today! If you learnt something from this tutorial, do share this post with a friend or on social media! Tag me @smithakatti #smithakatti I’d love to see what you create!