Content Creation
Share your Passion, Inspire Others
“There will never be a bigger motivator in your life than you” – Annie Jay
I was clueless beginning my content creation journey in 2022. I watched tutorial videos to gain a few basic ideas. I learnt as I went on for the most part although the majority of my learning has been through trial and error. I wasn’t intending to share this list but decided that actually, my suggestions may help someone else.
Obtaining good equipment is a painful process. I generally dislike scrolling endlessly through multiple types of the same product. My hope is my suggestions, are of benefit to someone.
The majority of the products listed, I’ve tried and tested (unless I’ve stated otherwise in my review). Most of these products I use to date and have provided in-depth feedback regarding my experience. In some cases, I’ve provided example videos where I’ve used a certain product so you can see it’s effects yourself.
Remember, I’ll continuously add further products as I use them should you wish to buy something you may find beneficial. A few products I’ve mentioned are in my wish list. I’ll update the reviews on these once I have them.
(NB – Links to products contain affiliate links, if you proceed to purchase I receive a small commission – at no cost to you).
Huawei P30 Pro New Edition
(Clicking the image above will take you directly to the product)
As it’s been some years since I purchased, it’s likely available at a cheaper cost than when I bought it.
(NB – I’ve heard some Huawei phones may not having access to Google Play Store so please check this before purchasing)
Annie's Review...
I didn’t have the financial resources to start, so decided on this android phone as an alternative to a video camera.
When you’re starting, you don’t always need the most expensive studio set. I started my YouTube journey with this phone and a basic ring light.
All my content from 2022 to 2023 was filmed with this phone. The below, is one of my first videos as an example (you’ll notice they’ve become progressively better over time).
Aside the generous storage space (256GB at the time of purchase), the one thing I can stand by when it comes to this phone is the battery life.
I’ve had the phone for years and the battery efficiency has barely changed since I purchased it. I’ve never needed a power bank, or to carry a charger if I’m out for the day (it was my primary reason for switching from Apple at the time).
If you’re starting out with limited resources, it’s worth checking out or at least shop around before finalising your options. It still remains my primary phone to date. My family were so impressed, my brother and his wife purchased it too.
Huawei P30 Pro Protective Case
(Clicking the image above will take you directly to the product)
Annie's Review...
This protective case has been my go-to for the lifetime of my phone. I’m on my 3rd case as I’ve always purchased this exact one (yes, I’ve broken a couple).
Like most, I’ve dropped my phone quite a few times but have avoided any cracks. The case bore the brunt of the impact so spending a few pounds rather than a few hundred, is worth the investment.
What I like about this case and particularly these sellers, is that it comes with one piece of tempered glass screen protector (I’ve typically been use to buying every element separately).
As you’ll see in the image, it also has a stand ring which is great when you’re streaming. The only negative, with constant usage over time, this stand ring can lose it’s sturdiness.
Aside that, it’s still my go to case for this phone as it’s resilient and protection of the phone itself, is what I value most.
iPhone 15 Pro
(Clicking the image above will take you directly to the product)
The phones prices increase along with storage space. I bit the bullet and purchased the 1TB as I knew I’d use it solely for creating.
If you have great external storage you transfer files too, then smaller storage to save money may be a more suitable option.
Annie's Review...
I started out with Apple and remained with Apple until 2020.
I grew tired of their battery life’s poor performance however, so switched to Android as mentioned above. Before purchasing the iPhone 15 Pro, my last purchase was the iPhone 6S (I jumped ship for a while).
As my content creation lifestyle has evolved, I decided that it was time to invest in a better quality camera. I could have chosen to purchase an actual camera however I wanted an all-rounder.
After doing a heap of online research and watching many reviews, I decided to go for the iPhone 15 Pro.
Believe it or not, I thought I had purchased the iPhone 15 Pro Max (but clearly made an error). I actually ended up very happy with my mistake. I realised my hands have been physically worn out from using large phones.
The camera quality is superb, a feature this phone is well known for and they have finally worked on the battery life which has massively improved. It was a focal point during my research.
I don’t use the phone for everyday life, however, I do all my content filming with it which typically takes a lot of battery power. It still holds up exceedingly well. I’m actually impressed (hopefully, I’m still saying that a year from now).
You can take a look at any of my Instagram Reels which have been filmed using this phone as well as my latest YouTube videos.
iPhone 15 Pro Protective Case
(Clicking the image above will take you directly to the product)
Annie's Review...
As you will know, Apple phones are some of the most expensive on the market. After purchasing my iPhone 15 Pro, I knew I needed a robust case immediately.
I did a thorough search on Amazon, purchased this particular case and it does what it says on the tin. It feels very robust, strong and durable.
I can also admit, the stand ring is more comfortable to hold on the fingers than my android’s casing. So far, so good.
The only downside, as per the image, it leaves your camera lenses otherwise exposed. I did however find a product to help with this issue which you will see next.
Once I resolved that issue however, my phone now feels entirely protected.
iPhone 15 Pro Screen Protector
(Clicking the image above will take you directly to the product)
Annie's Review...
In the image opposite, you’ll see the front protective screens on the left, and on the right are individual circular protective screens for the camera lenses.
When fixing, you can afford a slip up with the front facing protective screens (as you get a couple). With the camera lens protection however, you only get one set so you don’t want that going wrong.
If you don’t have sturdy hands, perhaps recruiting someone to help you fix it all on (like I did) will be helpful.
Along with the protective case I mentioned above, once you use this, you can rest knowing your phone is fully protected.
The phone itself is valuable so a little investment to protect it, is worth it.
Selfie Stick with Tripod Function
(Clicking the image above will take you to a page with various products of this type)
Annie's Review...
I actually own an MPOW selfie stick with tripod function. It’s extremely dated (although it still works well despite the odd wear and tear).
The model I have was too old to locate online and honestly, when it comes to selfie sticks, it doesn’t need to be special.
As long as it can extend for distant hand-held use and it has a tripod function for desk use, it’ll do the job.
I use both functions in my videos. For some creative sessions, I’ll hold it at a distance with my hand, this video is an example. In other sessions I’ll place it on my desk and film as I’ve done here .
Their typically not too expensive and will usually go up in price the more features they have.
Click the image and it’ll take you to a page of selfie sticks.
Look for the basic features, ensure it’s compatible with your phone and don’t forget to check reviews. I always purchase products with 4 star reviews and above.
10" Ring Light - Beginner
(Clicking the image above will take you directly to the product)
Annie's Review...
This is a basic ring light. The first I purchased and my primary go-to.
It isn’t too expensive and has some great features. Different light settings, extendable and the light is dimmable too.
The only downside, it feels fragile (and a little rickety). That said, I still use it and it has miraculously lasted a few years.
I’ve dropped it a few times during attempts to situate it at particular angles which probably hasn’t helped but it’s very much functional.
My aim is to graduate to the Ring Light coming up next.
As an additional note, if you find that you sometimes need to film facing from an above angle, then check out this Overhead Phone Mount with Ring Light.
I’ve saved it in my wish list as I won’t need it until later in the year but I feel it’ll come in handy when it’s time to film more nail tutorial videos.
18" Ring Light - Advanced
(Clicking the image above will take you directly to the product)
If you want to see what other products Neewer offer, you can visit their own dedicated website here.
Annie's Review...
The reason I’ve added this larger Ring Light despite not yet owning one myself, is because during my short course in Digital Marketing, it was highly recommended by my Tutor.
I checked out Neewer’s direct website and looked at reviews and feel confident in purchasing one later.
It’s larger than the standard ring light and I feel it’ll be a great investment when it’s time to notch things up further.
It’s in my wish list for now as I won’t need it until Winter time (when it begins to get dark early). During the summer periods I have the advantage of natural light.
It’s certainly on the more expensive side but Neewer appear to specialise in these products specifically.
Once I’ve bought mine, I’ll be back to update this review.
Raleno - 16" Softbox Lighting
(Clicking the image above will take you directly to the product)
If you’re after a softbox lighting kit with larger lights at 20 inches you can follow this link here.
Annie's Review...
I was blessed enough to have someone give me this light that they weren’t using themselves.
I didn’t know softbox lighting was an effective element in content creation until I did my course in Digital Marketing. Lighting can really affect how you appear and consequently, the quality of a video.
I’ve found this light really useful for softening my appearance. This video, is an example of it’s usefulness (fast forward to the tutorial section to see what I mean). The light is situated to my left hand side and is facing the wall behind me but provides a softer, clearer appearance.
Soft Box Lighting has been useful for balancing the harshness that Ring Lights can sometimes create.
(As an additional tip, I now place my ring light just above my face to avoid the harshness of having it directly in front of me – another technique I learnt from my course).
HP Zbook Firefly 16 inch G9 Mobile Workstation PC
(Clicking the image above will take you directly to the product)
If you prefer to see the options offered on Amazon, you can use this link.
Always remember to check reviews before making a purchase (the more reviews there are the better)
Annie's Review...
If you’ve ever been looking for a laptop, unless you’re a knowledgeable tech expert, then you’ll be well versed in how much of a struggle it can be.
Thankfully, I had a great starting point. I was able to indirectly test out a few models thanks to my previous employment roles.
There was one model that really stood out during my time with a particular employer. The HP ZBook Firefly. I was given the G8 model to use whilst working there and I loved it.
Speed, keyboard backlight, great battery power, screen sharpness, storage capability were a few features I loved about it.
I decided after a few months, if I ever left that employer, I’d purchase one for myself. And that’s exactly what I did (the image is said laptop).
Although the G8 model was fantastic (and I recommend it also), I wanted a slight upgrade when purchasing for personal use. So, I bought a refurbished G9 model in excellent condition with Euro PC.
These guys specialise in refurbished laptops at different wear and tear levels (and the price changes accordingly). Of course, I did my homework and checked reviews before going with them. Compared to others (even HP themselves), they were up there with positive reviews.
The only minor downside, they just provide the laptop. No accessories of any kind so be prepared to get these yourself.
Aside that, it’s a great product. For someone like myself who just wanted a laptop for basic functions but modern at the same time, it’s been one of my best investments.
ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV Screen
(Clicking the image above will take you directly to the product)
Annie's Review...
This second screen is extremely useful if you like to do multiple things at the same time but despise constantly changing between screens.
Like with my laptop, this purchase was inspired by a past employer. The model they provided me with was the ASUS ProArt Display PA248QV in 24.1inches.
I bought a bigger version when I had to return the above mentioned. And so, I purchased the ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV in 27 inches which I use to date.
Both models are sharp, easy to navigate, swivel, tilt, pivot and can be height adjusted. On Amazon, the version I have is not much more in costs than the version I used previously from my previous employer.
I went with the slightly bigger version as I also use it to stream so have no need for a TV.
For an in-depth outline of this Monitor and what it can do, you can also visit the ASUS store directly via this link where you can also purchase directly (at a slightly higher price than Amazon).
Creating my website, managing my social media platforms and the like has been much easier with a second screen.
MPOW Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones
(Clicking the image above will take you directly to the product)
Annie's Review...
I recently purchased a new set of these headphones after my previous set fell apart due to wear and tear from years of usage.
Their noise cancelling which for me is perfect when I want to concentrate without the distraction of my surroundings.
I tend to listen to instrumental music whilst writing blogs or motivational music whilst at the gym. I also use them to listen to my Audible books. I’m not sure how I’d manage without them.
The positives are, the sound quality is great, the bass level can be adjusted, there are forward and rewind controls on the right handside and you can use it for calls/whatsapp voicenotes/zoom etc as they have a built-in microphone.
Their also adjustable, foldable and generally comfortable to wear.
The only slight negative, is their sizeable which is to be expected. I’m very happy with them but thought to mention for those who prefer a more slender look.
I was expecting the headphones to arrive alone but was pleasantly surprised. They came with a charging USB type cable, an audio cable and a very nice bag.
I was already a fan of MPOW but couldn’t find their headphones on Amazon. Thankfully, I remembered that Ebay is still out there and purchased them there.
Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.
Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.