Equipment for Photo & Videography
/This is a list of all my favorite photo & video gear! Perfect for anyone starting out in photography or who want the tools to create a small home studio. Let’s start with the obvious, the camera!
DSLR Camera
DSLR stands for digital single-lens reflex & is just a fancy way of saying a digital camera that you can switch lenses on. DSLR’s are an investment & they take time & practice to master.
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Camera Phone
Not ready to make the investment for a DSLR? Your iPhone is a perfect solution! Many cell phones have fantastic cameras these days & you can take quality images on just your phone. I have the iPhone 12 Pro & use that camera way more than my DSLR without sacrificing quality.
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Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Lighting, Sound, Set Up, & Styling.
Here is what I have in my studio.
Lighting: Softbox Kit
If you’re shooting in your house or an area with only so-so lighting, the softbox lighting set up is the way to go! These give off a nice, diffused light that covers a large area & they are easy to set up, store, & travel with.
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Lighting: Ring Light
If you’re doing any FB Live or other filming where you’re talking into the camera on your phone, this is a great option. This is portable & easy to use & has different lighting temperature settings.
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Sound: Plug-in Microphone
If you are doing filming for tutorials or social media content and want to improve your sound quality, a plug-in microphone is the way to go. They can make a world of difference if the sound quality on your past videos was so-so.
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Set Up: Tripod
If you’re doing a lot of flatlay photos or reels filming, you may want a crane tripod. Keep in mind that the ring light tripod above CAN work for this as well! The one listed here is a bit more robust if you’re looking for a sturdier option.
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Set Up: T-stand Backdrop
You can hang a quilt, a white sheet, or anything else on this T-Stand. It folds up really compact and it easy to use. Great option if you are needing to create your own backdrops for photos or video.
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Set Up: Desktop Surface
I used to use my kitchen table or work desk for photos. I would have to move all my stuff around constantly & it got so annoying. Not to mention when I had my phone on a tripod to take those images I would have to stand up on a stool or chair to see what I was doing. I do not have space in my house for another desk or table for only photos though. Then I found the PERFECT solution. This iKea desktop is plain white, super sturdy, & less than $30. BOOM.
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Set Up: Desktop Stand
Now that you have your handy desktop you probably want to get that off the ground so you aren’t breaking your back every time you use it. Sure, iKea does sell adjustable legs to go with it. Downsides are that they are difficult to adjust & are $15 per leg. No thanks! I found that this $5 stool was the perfect height for my tabletop to rest at. I only needed two and it is so easy to put away my photo table to give me more space when I need it. Plus two extra stools for seating if needed. Win, win, win.
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Styling: Quality Backdrops
The styling can totally make or break your photo. I have tested A LOT (& I mean a lot) of different options for styling backdrops & backgrounds. You need something on-brand, easy to use, and easy to switch out. Enter, Stile & Co. These are the best backdrops to easily level-up your photos! They roll up for easy storage, wipe down for easy cleaning, & have lots of different print options. Want to see them in action? Click here for my full review & photo examples!
Shop backdrops at Stile & Co & use the coupon code MADELINERAECOLLECTIVE at checkout for 15% off
Styling: Props
Let’s talk props! When you’re shooting flatlays you need cute, little things to sprinkle in your image. My go-to props are faux flower stems, small potted plants, fancy looking desktop items (gold paperclips, nice pens, etc). You want to choose things that match what you are showing either in relevance or style. If you’re photographing a cake then great props to use would be cooking utensils or a few scattered chocolate chips. Just go walk around Hobby Lobby. You will find great props.
If you are in the sewing/quilting/crafting industry then styling can be so easy! Use your notions! Get some nice spools of thread, a few pairs of small scissors, buttons, binding clips, pins, etc. that you can have on hand to use in your photos! Hit up your favorite fabric or quilt shop to find these items. I am partial to Riley Blake Designs notions but that’s just me;)
Find LOTS of pretty notions at Fat Quarter Shop
Organization: Peg Board
I have a small space so the best way to organize is go vertical! I love this magnetic peg board to organize my photography props, cords, etc. It has lots of customizable options including storage cups/shelves, hooks, etc.
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Organization: Camera Bag
If you’re taking the plunge and buying a DSLR camera then you will want a good camera bag to keep your equipment protected and organized. I have used a Kelly Moore camera bag since 2013 & it looks brand new & has traveled to MANY a shoot. There are a lot of great camera bags out there but Kelly Moore is my favorite. They don’t make the one I have anymore but I think this one is really cute too!
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