Grab and Go Camera Equipment
Friday I hosted my first branding workshop at the HRDRV Writing & Production Camp. After presenting, I was approached by almost everyone in the room and kept hearing, “All of my content is selfie mode and it all looks the same, you can’t even tell where I am”. I recommended some products and each person wanted me to DM them a list. Instead, I thought I would make a public post so more of you can benefit from it.
The most used camera is going to be your phone. However, it’s still a phone as its first functionality. All other features come second. Our phone companies are showing us optimal setting results from the camera. Which is why when we get the phones we don’t always see the results promised in advertisements. So, we need to create a well lit setting to optimize the phone camera.
The item to do that is a pocket sized ring light. It allows you to create lighting in low light situations when your phone flash isn’t enough or when you’re using the front camera.
**It’s now $9.99
Next the issue of not always having someone around to capture content for you. I have tried about 10 different selfie stick tripods before being satisfied with the one I currently use. It’s the Blitzwolf Selfie Stick Tripod that comes with a bluetooth remote. There are a couple of different variations in it, I’ll list them all and indicate the one I specifically have; they’re all equally good, it’s just a matter of what your needs are. If you want to invest in just one item to up your content game, it’s this tripod. I personally feel everyone should have at least the phone version of these in their bag.
This is my favorite selfie stick tripod for phones. Although this will also support a mirrorless camera.
Pros: You can purchase one stick with both attachments plus the GoPro attachment, which is what I did, but I got tired of changing out the attachments and just bought another one.
Bluetooth remote, super tiny that can be easily hidden in your hand.
Phone attachment has a 360 degree rotation
Extendable up to 35 inches
Cons: You have to buy a separate attachment for using mirrorless cameras in portrait mode
I have the first one below.
My go to tripod for my mirrorless camera.
Pros: Camera, phone, and GoPro attachment
Adjustable legs that extend and lay flat for lower angles
Built in ball mount for portrait mode
Cons: No bluetooth remote for phone uses. (You can buy one separately though)
Doesn’t extend as high as the above tripod
The final item is for those of you interested in a good grab-and-go camera. I recommend the Canon G7X Mark ii. I absolutely loooove mine. Anytime I use it and then people see the results from it, they are shocked. I typically hear “that little ass camera takes pictures like that!” Yes, yes it does, it packs a punch. It also produces excellent quality video and performs great in low light settings. There is a newer version of this camera, the Mark iii, but I still prefer the Mark ii due to some technical issues the newer version has. Plus, the Mark ii is a little cheaper now that a newer version is out.
Pros: Built in flash
Flip screen for selfie mode
Lots of built in features like self portrait mode that smooths skin
Self timer
Canon Connect App can be used as a remote and you can download content to your phone right away
Cons: No mic input (But I have a loop hole that I can discuss later if you’d like)
No bluetooth remote
*I sometimes will attach my ring light on the camera screen in rare situations when lighting is extremely poor.
Side Note: Below are some examples of pictures I took myself with the above equipment.
These two were taken on a self timer with my G7X and Qubo Tripod
These were taken on my iPhone XS with the BlitzWolf tripod and bluetooth remote.
