Starting Out as a Videographer: 8 Pieces of Essential Equipment for Beginners

Jamie Perez • April 25, 2025

Congratulations on embarking on your journey as a videographer! Whether you're diving into videography as a hobby or considering it as a potential career path, having the right equipment is crucial to get started. In this post, we'll walk you through the essential gear you'll need to create basic videos and kickstart your videography adventure.

1. Camera:

Start with a DSLR or mirrorless camera with video recording capabilities. These cameras offer high-quality video and the flexibility to change lenses, which can be essential for different shooting scenarios.

2. Tripod:

A stable, adjustable tripod is a must-have. It helps you achieve steady shots, eliminates shaky footage, and allows you to set up your camera at various angles. Here’s one that’s worked great for us!

3. Microphone:

Good audio is just as important as clear visuals. Invest in an external microphone, like a shotgun or lavalier mic, to capture high-quality sound. These mics minimize background noise and ensure your subjects' voices are crystal clear. These wireless RODE lav mics are a staple in our camera bag.

4. Lighting:

Adequate lighting is key to achieving professional-looking videos. Start with basic lighting kits that include soft boxes or LED panels, like these ones. Proper lighting enhances the quality of your footage and can make a huge difference in your videos' overall look.

5. Memory Cards and Extra Batteries:

Carry two to three memory cards with you to ensure you don't run out of storage space during shoots. Recording on two memory cards is also a way to back up your clips on set in case something happens to one of the cards. Also, always carry extra batteries with you!

6. Editing Software:

Editing is where the magic happens. Invest in video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or a free option like DaVinci Resolve. Learning to edit your footage is essential for creating compelling videos.

7. Stabilizer (Optional):

While not essential for beginners, a gimbal or handheld stabilizer can greatly improve the smoothness of your shots, especially if you plan on shooting a lot of moving footage.

8. External Hard Drive:

Video files can quickly fill up your computer's storage. Invest in an external hard drive to store your video projects and keep your computer running smoothly. (It’s also a good idea to back up all your clips to a Cloud or a service-based storage like Dropbox in case anything happens to the external hard drive)

Remember that you don't need to break the bank when starting out. In fact, there are several online camera companies that will let you purchase everything you need at once and pay it off interest-free over one year. It’s a great financing option for those of you who may not have several thousand dollars on hand to spend on the equipment you need. (Click here for a list of our equipment recommendations!). As you gain experience and decide to pursue videography more seriously, you can gradually upgrade your equipment. Videography can be a very profitable business so think of the initial expense as an investment on your future! The key is to start with the basics, practice consistently, and develop your unique style as a videographer. Also, watch videos from other creators that inspire you. When these self-education practices become part of your routine, learning and growth follow naturally.

Let's talk about the best equipment for your needs today.

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5 Science‑Backed Storytelling Tips That Make People Actually Listen

By Jamie Perez • May 15, 2026

Discover 5 science‑backed storytelling tips that build trust, spark emotion, and drive action through oxytocin‑based connection.

A person wearing headphones is playing a video game on a computer.

The Art of Video Editing - 4 Tips to Make Your Videos Better

By Jamie Perez • September 2, 2025

When it comes to video production, a major part of the art happens during the editing process. A good editor can take bad footage and still make a decent story out of it. But a bad editor cannot take great footage and make a great story out of it. You should be able to be decent at both, but if your footage isn't the greatest, a good edit can still save you. Here are some key elements to thoroughly consider when editing your videos to ensure the final product is as great as it can be: 1) Music selection: Music will drive the narrative and set the tone for whatever emotion you want your audience to feel. The music needs to compliment the video. In many music libraries online you can narrow down the search results by putting in filters like instruments, mood, beats per second, etc. If you have a promo video that you want people to be excited about, for example, use music that is quick paced, has a hard bass, etc. 2) A-roll: These are your interviews, the driving sound that will literally narrate the video. The first ten seconds are super important. That's your hook. It's what captures the audience's attention. Once you start bringing the viewer into the middle of the narrative, stakes are high so it's important to choose soundbites that reveal more layers to the story to keep their attention on the story. One of the biggest challenges editors face is deciding what stays and what goes. When you have so much good sound, it's hard to decide. A bit of advice here is to step away from the project for a day and come back and watch it with fresh eyes and ears. Then decide-- what sound would move me the most if this were my first time watching it? What sound advances the story and does the best job of driving home the message? And then lastly -- how do you want your story to end? Choosing that final soundbite is important because that's the overall feeling that your audience will walk away with. If you are moved by the sounds you choose -- chances are your audience will be too. 3) B-Roll: These are your visuals. Anything that is not an interview shot that helps move the story. It's great to use the phrase "say dog, see dog" when choosing your b-roll. If the soundbite talks about walking on a beach looking at the sunset, choose footage that shows that. One of the other challenging parts during the editing process is you could have an amazing shot of something--- but if the soundbite that talks about that didn't make it into the final cut of the story, then you also have to cut that beautiful shot you were super proud of if it doesn't move the story forward. But this can always be used in a separate standalone cut to promote the video on social media. 4) Practice: All of these things take time to master. Even when you've been at it for years, it's still a continuous learning process because every story is different. Find the moments that move you and the shots that ignite some sort of emotion in you. Cut different versions until you find the right one. Most importantly, have fun with the process! Want to learn more about the art of video production? Let's talk .