GEAR
Gear doesn’t matter. Does it? I don’t the answer but if you’re like me, you’ve probably bought your fair share of gear that just ends up collecting dust.
These products below, however, have stood the test of time for me. I rely on them for almost every video and photo I create. So they might prove useful to you too.
Full transparency: these are affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through them, at no extra cost to you, I’ll earn a small commission—which helps support my work!
PHOTO GEAR
Digital camera of choice
My go-to digital camera when I’m not shooting on film. The form factor, usability, and of course the famous Fuji colors make it a no-brainer.
Everyday lens
What I use in most everyday situations – taking traditional candid street photos, landscapes, city scapes, or just walking around.
Travel lens
When I want to the angles while traveling or when I don’t feel like getting too in-your-face with street photos.
VIDEO GEAR
Video camera
The perfect hybrid photo/video camera. I do most of my YouTube video shooting with the A7IV. I also use it for commercial photoshoots. Although for my personal photo work, I prefer the XT-5.
Wireless Mics
Crisp audio on the go. All you could ask for. I use these both on my Sony A7IV and on the iPhone all the time.
Everyday lens
For the Sony, it’s the only lens I’ll ever need. Perfect for everything from YouTube talking heads to portrait shoots.
Lavalier Mic
I don’t love the look of having the Rode Wireless strapped to your shirt while talking to camera. This lavalier makes it much more discreet.
Fun lens
Cheaper fish eye that I use when I want diversity in my shots. Auto focus doesn’t work and you have to manually set the exposure but it’s a lot of fun.
POV Video Camera
This guy’s been through the wringer with me. Always reliable, great battery life, image quality is perfect for what you need it for.
STUDIO GEAR
Strobe lights
When photographing with flash in the studio. For the longest time I thought it was Profoto or nothing. Then I discovered these for 1/4 the cost.
In studio mic
What I use for all voiceovers, talking heads, even use it on Zoom meetings. I love that I don’t need an audio interface for this and I can just plug it right into my computer’s USB-C.
Studio light
Are there cheaper studio light options? Yes. But I’d rather pay the price, have this with me for a lifetime, and know that it will never (knock-on-wood) fail.
Studio light softbox
If you’re gonna get the 300d you might as well get the softbox.
BAGS & TRAVEL
When you lose everything…
When photographing with flash in the studio. For the longest time I thought it was Profoto or nothing. Then I discovered these for 1/4 the cost.
Water bottle
When you’re somewhere without potable water, this bottle is essential. It filters out all the bad stuff (think that’s the scientific term) so you can drink from any water source.
Travel USB charging station
So much easier to have this USB port than dragging around a bulky surge protector.
Backpack
Normally I try to avoid branded products with YouTube celebs. But this backpack is the best I’ve ever owned. I’ve crammed five cameras in here and 4 months worth of clothes in it before with no problem
Portable power bank
Perfect on the long shoot days where you need portable juice.
PHOTO & VIDEO ACCESSORIES
GoPro mount
ESSENTIAL for any POV videos. They just make attaching your GoPro so incredibly easy. And you don’t have to look like a complete bafoon with that ridiculous GoPro chest strap mount. Make sure you buy the landyard separately.
GoPro charger
Crisp audio on the go. All you could ask for. I use these both on my Sony A7IV and on the iPhone all the time.
Camera wrist straps
One of the better ways to prevent camera theft. Just use a wrist strap. Peak Design’s are my favorite, I have these on all my cameras.
Variable ND Filter
Worth it to get that beautiful bokeh at any time of day (just make sure you check your thread size so it’s first your camera)
Pro-Mist filter
Lately I’ve been using Pro-Mist filters more and I love the bloom they give. This one’s my favorite.
Camera Clip
I love this thing especially on a day you’re shooting with two cameras. I attach my video camera (Sony A7IV) to my backpack with this clip and makes it 100x easier to access.
GoPro batteries
While the GoPro battery life is decent, I usually bring about 5 of these while traveling just to have as back up.
Tripod
I had a crappy tripod for years. I hated it, every shoot was a nightmare. I finally upgraded and now I understand why Peak Design is the pinnacle.
Gimbal
We can classify this in the maybe not essential. But for anything commercial where I’m getting paid you betch your bottom dollar I’m gonna want that footage stable. That’s where this gimbal comes in.
COMPUTER & ELECTRONIC GEAR
External hard drive (portable)
I maxed out my Macbook’s internal hard drive in about two days. So this is where this external hard drive comes in handy.
I store all my videos I have in progress on this. It’s stupid fast and 4TB is plenty of space even in shooting 4K 10-bit.
External hard drive
Where I store all my videos after I’ve completed them. It’s much slower so I don’t do any editing with it. But for the cheap cost, it’s a perfect storage device.
Computer
The work horse. Enough said.