If you want to know more about what you need to begin content creation, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re starting out or you’ve already started content creating, this guide will provide you the tools you need to execute your dream feed.
It can be overwhelming at first: What’s the best camera for content creation? Do I need to spend thousands of dollars to become successful? What do I really need to buy to become a content creator? With this beginner’s guide, hopefully, I can answer most of your questions.
The best part of content creation is that you get to entertain, inspire or educate your audience on whichever platform you want to focus on. This insightful guide applies to all my readers (with small to big budgets) who want to start a blog, an Instagram page, or a YouTube video.
This post contains affiliate links.
Here is the equipment you’ll need for content creation:
1. Your Phone
The best way to start creating content is by mastering your iPhone techniques. It may not have the crisp quality of a DSLR camera but it’s quick and accessible to everyone. Content creation has never been easier! With TikTok and Reels dominating the social media game, it is far easier to create content that can go viral and are less of a hassle to make.
Some of the biggest influencers (Addison Rae, D’Amelio sisters, etc) in the market only use their phones to create content. If you want to know what iPhone editing apps I recommend, read the 10 Apps Every Content Creator Needs.
Down below is a video I created with my iPhone and it’s my second MOST VIEWED on my Instagram.
2. Invest in a DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
If you already have a bit of money saved, perhaps you’d like to invest in a camera. Whether you end up choosing a DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) or a mirrorless camera, you’ll end up producing high-quality photos and videos for your platforms. Cameras can range from 300-2,000k+ dollars so there is a budget for every person out there!
What is a dslr camera?
DSLR stands for Digital Single-Lens Reflex, aka a Digital Camera. These cameras produce sharp and high-quality and normally have longer battery life (which is great if you’re out all day batching content). In addition, the DSLR has a wide variety of lenses/optics for all types of budgets. I own a Canon but my favorite lens is from Sigma (for Canon cameras, of course). Con: The only downside of having a DSLR is its weight and bulkiness.
dslr camera recommendations:
Nikon D3500 and Canon Rebel T7 for beginners.
Canon 80D and Canon 6D Mark ii for a higher quality/more experienced user.
What is a mirrorless camera?
Essentially, a mirrorless camera is a compact, lighter camera with the same high quality as a DSLR. It’s lightweight makes it ideal for beginners and portable for your trips or if you’re on the go taking pictures. Con: the battery life doesn’t last long and you have a limited variety of lenses which leads them to be more expensive.
MIRRORLESS CAMERA RECOMMENDATIONS:
3. get quality & prime lenses (at least 2)
These are crucial depending on what photography style you’d like to do. However, one lens that’s affordable and versatile for any style of photography is a 50mm lens (aka nifty fifty). This lens is not too wide but not too zoomed in… it’s perfect! I recommend starting with the 50mm and buying another lens that fits the content you want to create.
Some lens recommendations:
- TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: 50mm + a wide angle lens (to capture landscape and landmarks)
- MAKEUP CONTENT: 50mm + a portrait lens for close-ups (24-70mm)
- FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: 50mm + a macro lens (to get details of the food/recipes
4. A Sturdy Tripod (CAMERA + PHONE)
A tripod will be your best friend if you don’t have someone that can take your pictures. Just look at how MJ Hedderman (TikTok) provides fashion content with her tripod. In the video below, I show you a quick and easy idea for an Instagram picture by using a tripod! This secures your equipment and stabilizes your pictures/videos without the risk of making your photos look shaky. There are all kinds of tripods varying from holding cameras to iPhones.
Tripods I Recommend:
Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod Kit (For iPhone. This brand is my FAVORITE!)
Joby Gorilla Pod Stand (You can literally mount this tripod on any surface.)
Endurax Camera Tripod Stand (Ideal for DSLR Cameras.)
5. Ring Light
Do you ever get annoyed when you’re filming something in your house and in the middle of the clip it gets dark or the sun comes out? This is where the ring light comes in handy. The ring light will likely cancel out any lighting imperfections that the camera or phone can detect, thus providing a nice ambient glow to your face and set up. I own this budget-friendly LED ring light with a cellphone holder PERFECT for TikToks and YouTube videos.
Ring Light Brands I Recommend:
ANBES 10.2 inch Selfie Ring Light with Tripod Stand (budget-friendly + lightweight)
Neewer 18-inch SMD LED Ring Light (Pricey but will last you for YEARS!)
6. video for vlogging
The video above was a recap/vlog of our first trip to the west coast in Puerto Rico, Rincón.
If you’re looking for something practical to vlog for YouTube or for short-form video platforms like Tiktok or Reels, you might want to opt for a point-and-shoot camera. Don’t let the size of a point-and-shoot camera fool you, as the products mentioned below can record 4k quality videos. Having a smaller and accessible camera for vlogging is a time-saver for when you’re wanting to film something on the go.
vlogging cameras i recommend:
DJI Osmo Cam (video above was mainly shot with this camera)
GoPro Hero 7 (perfect for a
Canon Powershot G7x Mark ii (very popular in the YouTube vlogging world)
As you can see, I recommend products for every budget since I know how difficult and overwhelming can be when starting out in content creation. Do you feel confident with the information provided in this guide? Let me know in the comments if you have any more questions and have an open discussion!
Friendly reminder: you do not have to have expensive equipment to be successful. What’s most important while executing your content is to inspire, entertain or educate your audience. The rest will all fall into place and you’ll build a community through your message at ease. Trust the process, always!
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