Photo credit: InstaPhotoBoothRental Los Angeles

So You Want To Be A Content Creator?

Well first things first, you’re going to need to have the right tools to be able to bring your vision to life via the realms of social media, traditional media, or whichever platform you choose to display your vision. When I started this blog in 2008, I used a Sony Ericsson K800i camera phone (the HEIGHT of camera phones at the time, okay?!), and creators at the time had a bit of an easier time creating content back when the landscape was largely unmonetized. Dusty mirror selfies and blurry pics were all the rage back then; what a time to be alive!

Now, with the influencer industry now said to be worth over 21.1 billion dollars in the US alone, content creation is big business. Whether your aim is to become a social media superstar, refine your digital skills, or have a small corner of the internet to share your hobbies and interests with others, having the right pieces of kit can work towards elevating your photography and videography content.

Instead of going through every single piece of equipment (which can sometimes be super confusing when presented with too many choices), I’m just going to talk through the tools that I use when creating content. There are so many options to choose from when looking into the best cameras for content creators, with some people preferring to use their phones (which is also a solid choice!). If you’re wanting to take your content to the next level, however investing in a quality DSLR or mirrorless camera is definitely the way to go.

Some of the links may also be affiliate links, just fyi!

I have been using Canon since 2013 and I haven’t turned back! In my opinion, they are the best and easiest brand to use for both newbies and professionals alike. The Canon 5D Mark IV is considered one of the best DSLRs in the Canon universe and is incidentally the last DSLR in the range before Canon switched to mirrorless cameras. It’s a great all-rounder camera, with an interactive touchscreen, and records video in 4k too. I’ve used a lot of Canon DSLRs over the years and this one is my all-time favourite. I’ve been using it for four years so far, and have no plans to upgrade any time soon. I shoot most of my photos (especially the travel ones) with this camera.

STREET STYLE/CANDID: Fujifilm X100V

While the Canon is an excellent camera, it’s pretty heavy and sometimes can be inconvenient to carry around to events and impromptu goings-on. I’ve also always been a fan of film/simulated film images, and Fujifilm absolutely owns this area. I use this camera whenever I’m doing London Fashion Week street-style photography, or if I’m on holiday. The photos are crisp and give off a really gorgeous vintage feel that can’t be replicated with other cameras. It’s super light and the battery is great too.

Video: Sony A7III

Sony is world-class when it comes to video content, with the Alpha series currently reigning supreme. I mostly use this for some of my Instagram Reel content and will be using this for upcoming Youtube content too. The slow-motion feature is GORGEOUS on this, and the quality is excellent. i use this with the 50mm lens.

Lenses

Canon EF 24-70mm f/1.4 lens

An expensive lens, but a bloody great investment if you ask me. This is a terrific lens, which is great for both portraits and landscape/travel images. I predominantly use this for travel bits! See below for example photos. The low aperture means that it can let in a lot of light, and the zoom is pretty good on this too.

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 and 30mm f/1.4 Art lens

Sigma Art lenses are beautifully crafted pieces of kit for professional photographers. The images are SUPER sharp, so much sharper than their Canon counterparts, which is why I switched to them from my Sony lenses. Both of these lenses are fixed, meaning you can’t zoom in or out. I am in LOVE with these lenses, as they produce beautiful bits of imagery. If you want to create images with a blurry background (aka ‘bokeh’), these lenses will be for you. I predominantly use the 30mm for full length style/lifestyle shots, and my 50mm for close up and detail shots/videos. Remember that you will need to get the sigma lens based on your camera, as Sigma create lenses for a huge range of cameras. Here, I’m using the Sigma lens with a CANON EF mount.

See some examples below!

Supporting Equipment

DRONE: DJI Mini 3

Last year, I decided to take my content creation to the next level and invested in a drone for my travel content! Let me add that before thinking about getting a drone, keep in mind that different countries have different rules about drones and licensing, so you will need to check with the hotel/resort whether you would be allowed to fly before taking it with you. I did loads of research before finally settling on the Mini 3, which is super popular amongst content creators due to the ability to shoot vertically, which is a lifesaver for those who film for IG reels and stories. The video is captured in 4k/60fps which is incredible quality, and it’s unbelievably easy to use.

Tripod: Manfrotto Befree Tripod

This is my favourite tripod and I’ve been using it for four years so far. It hasn’t failed me yet! I take travelling with me and it’s heavy duty- yet light enough to take with you on trips.

Lighting: DAYLiTE60D MKII LED Studio Light

My friend Demi recommended this light to me for filming and honestly I haven’t looked back since. It’s an excellent light source and the lighting is dimmable, which makes it great for shooting indoors during this gross British weather. I would advise getting an umbrella attachment in order to diffuse the light when using it.

SD Card Camera Reader (Apple Version)

Single-handedly my FAVOURITE TOOL OF ALL TIME. This saves so much time when transferring photos from cameras to my iphone without having to depend on wifi or weak internet signals. I can also upload my HD photos straight to my phone as soon as possible, so I never travel without it.

NEEWER LED Selfie Light

I came across this gem on TikTok and could instantly see why this little gadget was a hit: it’s amazing! The light is incredibly strong, the battery lasts for up to a month without charging and it’s small enough to fit in your purse. I love it so much. You just clip it to the back of your phone, and you can toggle with the warmth of the lighting too. See an example of the light in action below: