Resources

I wrote this quick tips guide* to help you start to think more critically about your personal and profession creative content. It also serves as a strategic foundation and framework if we eventually work together.

*Part one of a three-part series on Creative Content Marketing.

If you've ever wondered what tech and gear I use to create professional and high-end content for myself and my clients, check out my gear gallery, along with quick tips on why they are my top picks.

DSLR & Phone Cameras, Lenses & Video Capture

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Canon Digital SLR Camera Body [EOS 80D] with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

Reasons why I use it:

  • Good starter DSLR camera + lens

  • Shoots both Photo & Video

  • Light-weight & compact

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Canon Portrait and Travel Two Lens Kit with 50mm f/1.8 and 10-18mm Lenses

Reasons why I use it:

  • Good starter kit for beginner

  • Incredible wide angle zoom lens

  • Great portrait and video lens (50mm)

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Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Lens

Reasons why I use it:

  • Great for macro closeup shots

  • Similar scale shot to what the eye sees

  • Must have for travel and trips

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Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras - Fixed

Reasons why I use it:

  • Great for distanced portrait shoots

  • Amazing Bokeh/blur from a distance

  • Works with most Canon cameras

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Google - Pixel 3 with 64GB Memory Cell Phone (Unlocked)

Reasons why I use it:

The phone’s camera is incredible. My photos are mistaken for professional shots all the time. I’ve also shot professional B-Role in 4K with most people not knowing the difference.

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Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini HDMI Live Switcher

Reasons why I use it:

  • Allows you to switch between live view of 4 connected HDMI Devices live a TV station broadcaster.

  • Transforms DSLRs into webcams

  • Reliable Brand, products & updates

 

Camera Accessories

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Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 Aluminum Tripod

Reasons why I use it:

  • Steady balance & smooth rotation

  • Solid/Sturdy build reduces shake

  • Multiple high & low configurations and angles

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Joby GorillaPod

Reasons why I use it:

  • Versatile placement & strong grip

  • Easy to hold with mounted camera

  • Small/Compact travel vlog friendly

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Neewer Shoulder & Handheld System With Camera Mount Slider

Reasons why I use it:

  • Multiple hand-held configurations

  • Even weight distribution

  • Works with most cameras

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Neewer Follow Focus with Gear Ring Belt

Reasons why I use it:

  • Smooth follow-focus motion

  • Works with almost any DSLR camera lens

  • Can be attached to/with many accessories

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DJI OM 4 - Handheld 3-Axis Smartphone Gimbal Stabilizer

Reasons why I use it:

  • Affordable, Compact & Light-weight

  • Great phone stabilization and rotation

  • Amazing Bluetooth-Connected App

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Lexar Professional 1667X 128GB Memory Card

Reasons why I use it:

  • Ample storage for long shoots

  • Fast writing speed for high frame rates

  • Trusted brand, low risk of corruption

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Tenba DNA 11 Messenger Bag

Reasons why I use it:

  • Sturdy with plenty protective padding

  • Abundant pockets and sections

  • Light, but holds a lot

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Rofozzi Leather Travel Vintage Shoulder Strap

Camera Bag

Reasons why I use it:

  • Stylish (esp. for event gigs)

  • Comfortable straps/handles

  • Light-weight with multiple pockets

Lighting

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Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT Flash + Case, AA Rechargeable Batteries and Charger, Flash L Bracket & TTL Cord

Reasons why I use it:

  • Life saver for poorly lit scenes

  • Efficient battery usage, long-lasting

  • Trusted brand, warranty guaranteed

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Aputure LED Bi-Color On-Camera Video Light

Reasons why I use it:

  • Bright Warm/Cool LED settings

  • Compact, portable & sturdy

  • Fast USB-C charging

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Neewer Photography Bi-color Dimmable LED Softbox Lighting Kit

Reasons why I use it:

  • Affordable/effective for beginners

  • Creates Warms/Cools/Diffused looks

  • Create dramatic bright/dim looks

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Neewer 43 Inch/110 Centimeter Light Reflector 5-in-1 Collapsible Multi-Disc

Reasons why I use it:

  • Good price for quantity

  • Effective for use outdoors

  • Creates Warms/Cools/Diffused looks

Audio & Sound Recording

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Blue Yeti USB Mic for Recording & Streaming

Reasons why I use it:

  • Easy setup & use (plug & play)

  • Great sound & sound controls

  • Multiple sound direction configuration

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Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

Reasons why I use it:

  • Easy setup & use (plug & play)

  • Tunes out farther sounds beautifully

  • Nice rich and loud audio for podcasting

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NEEWER Adjustable Microphone Suspension Boom Scissor Arm Stand

Reasons why I use it:

  • Can be used with different mics

  • Great for small work areas/desks

  • Lasts long & sturdy

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Tascam Linear PCM Recorder

Reasons why I use it:

  • Great sound recording outdoors

  • Small, portable, easy to use

  • Uses little battery power

  • Records for hours depending on memory card size.

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Rode VideoMic NTG On-Camera Shotgun Microphone

Reasons why I use it:

  • Easy to use (plug & play)

  • Good voice recording sound outdoors

  • Light-weight & no batteries required

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SENNHEISER XSW Digital lavalier Mic (Wireless)

Reasons why I use it:

  • Best value for price & easy to use

  • Incredible wireless range & quality

  • Great Brand, reliable support

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Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Noise-Cancelling

Reasons why I use it:

  • Amazing noise cancellation

  • Great sound and dynamic audio range

  • Long lasting battery & comfortable fit

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YAMAHA P125 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano With Power Supply And Sustain Pedal

Reasons why I use it:

  • Realistic piano sound, feel & play

  • Midi to computer connection for recording

  • Compact, easily stowed away

Production & Presentation

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Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage, 2.6GHz Intel Core i7) - Space Gray

Reasons why I use it:

  • Beautiful & intuitive software and design

  • Incredible editing processing power for high-resolution photography & 4K video post-production.

  • Trusted brand, reliable, secure, and updated software and customer support.

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HyperDrive USB C Hub Sanho Type-C Duo Hub 50Gbps

Reasons why I use it:

  • Multi-device connection to USB-C for MacBooks

  • No data transfer lag, minimal heating

  • Sleek, small, extremely functional

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Nebula Capsule II Smart Mini Projector, by Anker, 200 ANSI Lumen 720p HD Portable Projector with Wi-Fi

Reasons why I use it:

  • Amazing on-the-go projector for presentations

  • Doubles as a stand-alone Bluetooth Speaker

  • Built-in Google TV for streaming services + casting

  • Portable (size of a soda can) & lasts long on single charge

Storage & Workflow Solutions

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LaCie Rugged Raid Pro 4TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0 Compatible – with SD Card Slot, Drop Shock Dust Water Resistant

Reasons why I use it:

  • High speed USB-C data transfer allows editing & processing hi-res in realtime

  • Secures against file corruption and loss with built-in redundant backup system

  • Allows SD card backup on the go.

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LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0 compatible, Drop Shock Dust Rain Resistant

Reasons why I use it:

  • Great light-weight, portable, durable everyday back up hard drive

  • High speed USB-C data transfer allows editing & processing hi-res in realtime

  • Trusted Brand, low risk of disk failure

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Google 1

Reasons why I use it:

  • Expandable storage & upgrade plans

  • 10% on Google Store products

  • Additional member benefits & discounts

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Google Workspace (GSuite)

Reasons why I use it:

  • Highly streamlined ecosystem of productivity tools and support team

  • Best value for quality & quantity of cloud-based tools

  • Synchronization & Compatibility across all my devices