In today’s age it is important to be as mobile as possible if you are a content creator. Whether if its videography, photography or just making stuff for social media, being able to have a quick process of capturing while staying light is mandatory. From cameras to tablets and other related gear, we have created a list of 12 items that all content creators should consider picking up if they don’t already have them. We left off the super obvious things like mirrorless cameras, lenses and batteries so you don’t see those on the list, have no fear. We hope this list finds helps you on your content creation journey:
1. DJI Osmo Pocket 3
The DJI Osmo pocket line has become one of the most intriguing line of cameras in recent years. While each edition of them have been great gimbals in your pocket, DJI perfected this camera with the Osmo Pocket 3. What makes this camera better the the first two versions is the fact that you can record vertical video natively or flip the screen and record traditional 16:9 footage. This camera is great for creating Instagram and Tik-Tok reels along with every day vlogging. It also has pro features like being able to record in a 10 bit color space, log profiles and epic slow motion footage. This camera is a MUST HAVE tool for content creators and is a great sidekick to your main camera.
2. Cloud Storage
Cloud Storage is not only great for backing up files separately from your traditional hard drives. It is also great to have for storing files and assets that you use all the time. As a photographer, I love the ability to look back at photos from the past that could be used for something that is relevant for the current day. It is great to know that no matter what, I have my complete portfolio of work right on my Dropbox. I can’t tell you how many times bands and clients have asked if I still have the files for a project that I worked on with them. To be able to send them the files right away leaves a great impression and could keep them coming back for more work.
3. ipad Pro M4
The new iPad Pro has become a game changer for content creators. While iPads have always been a great tool for simple processing, they never were able to live up to the abilities of traditional laptops. Now with the release of the m4 chip, iPads have become much more powerful. It is great to know that if I don’t want to lug around my laptop, i can still do a good job editing on my iPad Pro. From Final Cut Pro to Adobe Creative Cloud programs, I feel confident knowing that I can still produce what i need to. With it having a USB port, I am able to utilize my solid state drives with it so I don’t have to store large media files on my iPad.
If you are someone who goes out and shoots and wants to turn around stuff for the next day for posting on social media platforms, I highly recommend getting the version with cellular service. After working many music festivals, not all have Wi-Fi available and this puts me ahead of the game and saves me time. Why wait until you get home when you can just edit and process on the go!
4. Lightroom Mobile
Lightroom Mobile is one of the most important apps to have on your phone or tablet if you are a photographer. It is basically like having the full version of the program in your pocket. I love being able to fly my drone and save the photos directly to my phone because I know I can edit them right away and do a good job on Lightroom Mobile. I can then just post the photos directly from my phone completely taking a traditional computer or separate device out of the equation.
5. USB-C Card Readers
This seems pretty self explanitory but having a card reader that is compatible with all your devices is important and saves space in your bag at the end of the day. The card reader I have accepts SD Cards, Micro SD Cards and CF cards and is USB-C based. This allows me to use the reader with my iPhone, iPad, Laptop and Desktop. Having a solid card reader goes along way and you should not cheap out on this.
6. Micro Fiber Cloths
As a concert photographer/videographer, I am constantly changing lenses throughout a shoot and sometimes I do not have the time to put the caps back on immediately. When that happens, my lenses tend to get smudges which effects the image quality next time you slap that lens back on the camera mount. Keeping a cloth in my pocket keeps me at ease and doesn’t take up much space. Always keep one on you.
7. Light
While it is not ideal to have a full lighting rig on you for time purposes as an on-the-go content creator, just having a simple light or two will go along way with the quality of your shots. There are many tiny lights out there that attach to your camera but if you are going to get one, we highly recommend getting something made by Lume Cube. Their lights are high quality and feel like a solid piece of equipment. This is also something you shouldn’t cheap out on.
8. Compact Tripod
One of the biggest necessities of all, a tripod. Having a solid tripod with you is a must no matter what type of video your photos you are taking. For video purposes, no one likes shaky footage so having the ability to pan and tilt is crucial. Or even if you are recording yourself and don’t have someone to hold a camera. For photo purposes, having a tripod is great for things like long exposure photography. Having a small and light tripod is a bonus and one that I can recommend and have used for is the Manfrotto MKCOMPACTACN-BK Compact Action Tripod. A tripod like this is great for hiking or run and gun style shooting.
9. Action Camera
While a mirrorless camera or the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 are much better than action cameras, you can’t use them in high risk or action situations. Its in the name and that’s why these cameras exist. Whether you want to mount a camera to a car, dog or even go under water, action cameras give you the ability to do so. You may not use it for everything but just like every thing else on this list, it is a tool that will come in use for you. We highly recommend getting the DJI Osmo Action line if you are going to buy an action camera. We have used the first 3 versions of the camera and it has only gotten better since then.
10. Wireless Mic
Audio is just as important as video and with that, it is important to have a microphone on you if you are going to be talking on camera. Having a wireless mic will make your life much easier than a traditional wired lavalier microphone. A microphone that works great every time is the DJI Mic 2. It has far range and the sound quality is amazing. You can either clip it to your shirt or it has a magnetic back where you can get really creative with it. Do your viewers a favor and make sure that audio quality matches your video quality!
11. Portable charger
It sucks to say but without electricity, you cannot create content so if you run out of power while on the road, you are F***ed. When I am at multi-day festivals or on a long road trip, I will bring multiple portable chargers or power bricks with me to allow for shooting for a span of a couple days without having to plug in to a wall.
12. Final Cut Pro for iPad
Final Cut Pro on the iPad is truly a marvel in its self. I myself am not the biggest fan of Final Cut Pro and prefer Adobe Premiere Pro over everything. But once I started to edit video on my iPad, I realized how powerful it was and how much I could do with it. Ive tested 8k footage from my Canon R5 on the software and it plays back just as smooth as my maxed out Macbook Pro. It works great with the apple pencil and is incredible for color correcting due to the high quality retina display on the iPad. You can get Final Cut Pro for your iPad for only 5 dollars a month and I have to say, if your iPad is the only thing you are able to edit on, you will be just fine with this software. I really hope that Adobe can figure out a way to put Premiere Pro on iOS. If an iPad can run Photoshop and Illustrator, they can figure out a way to get Premiere on there too.
