Blogging, Photography, + Podcasting

• Best Beginner

  Canon - EOS Rebel T6i DSLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm IS STM Lens

  SUMMARY
  In the beginning, I contemplated on whether to get the Canon vs. a Nikon DSLR camera, since both are neck in neck in popularity with many bloggers and vloggers! After much research, I decided to go with this beauty and it's really good for a first DSLR camera.
• Best Intermediate

  Canon EOS 6D Mark II Digital SLR Camera Body – Wi-Fi Enabled

  SUMMARY
  Now that I'm almost 3 years into this Food Blogging game, I've decided to upgrade my camera body to a more professional one. This Canon Mark II is AMAZING compared to my previous body. Granted, I plan on upgrading again soon, but this one is definitely worth it if you're considering the upgrade or starting off on a professional note.
• Best Advanced

  Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR Camera Body

  SUMMARY
  Now that I'm 4-5 years into this Food Blogging game, I've decided to upgrade my camera body to a more professional one. This Canon Mark IV is AMAZING compared to my previous body, although I now use both when creating my recipe videos (for different angle purposes). Currently, my photos have been super vivid, clean, and absolutely gorgeous!
• Best Advanced Extra

  CANON EOS R5 FULL-FRAME MIRRORLESS CAMERA WITH 8K VIDEO

  SUMMARY
  Getting into the video world and taking it seriously requires another level of equipment. This Canon camera is not the suggested DSLR and while it has it's own Pros + Cons, the new technology on this one is the best for video in particular. It's one of my husband's faves!
• Best Lightweight

  SONY A7 III ILCE7M3/B FULL-FRAME MIRRORLESS CAMERA

  SUMMARY
  While I am a die hard Canon fan----I do love Sony products, especially their cameras and this one was one that I came across after much research which works as a great light weight camera. It's pretty compact and is really high-quality. I recommend it for any Blogger or Vlogger!
• Perfect for Point + Shoot

  Canon PowerShot Digital Camera [G7 X Mark II]

  SUMMARY
  This camera is perfect for any Blogger (regardless of niche) and makes for a great "Point + Shoot" camera because of it's precise capture specs, video capabilities, and aperture value, and autofocus system. I love that it's not as expensive, is more lightweight, and still offers great quality.

Must Have Lenses

• CANON EF 100MM F/2.8L IS USM MACRO LENS FOR CANON DIGITAL SLR CAMERAS

  Having a great camera like the Canon is just the first step. Getting a better lens in addition to your starter lens is the next AND super important step. A better lens offers much more clarity in your photos, better focus, etc.
• Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras - Fixed

  OK! So, this lens has been a new favorite! Although it's expensive, the clarity and wide lens is super helpful in creating beautiful photos! I can attest that it's worth every penny. Coupled with the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro lens, you can't go wrong with Food photography!
• Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens, Black

  This year, I chose to upgrade my camera + lens yet again! While having one camera is just enough in most cases, when it comes to shooting videos and wanting to have several angles, there comes a time when having more than one high-quality cameras (along with various lens) becomes a thing! If you're looking to shoot super sharp photos/videos, this lens is perfect!

• Shure SM7B Vocal Microphone

  This is one of the top microphones for podcasting and an absolute fave for us! The gray Shure SM7B is a vocal microphone with a smooth, flat, and wide-range frequency response appropriate for music and speech in professional audio applications. The mic's specially engineered dynamic capsule provides a smooth, polished vocal sound with a rich response in the lower frequency registers, making the mic a favorite choice among broadcasters and podcasters.
• Manfrotto 055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod Kit with Horizontal Column and 3-Way Head

  I love the Manfrotto tripods and if you're willing to invest in a higher quality tripod, then this is it! It's such high-quality, more sturdy, has more adjustable capabilities, and completely reliable. Definitely recommend!
• Manfrotto Junior Geared Tripod Head

  So, I recently upgraded my equipment and this little beauty was one that I opted for. Although, the Zomei Tripod is a great option, many of my fellow bloggers swear by the Manfrotto tripod which comes separately as a “head” and “body” combo.
• Neewer 72.4-Inch Aluminum Camera Tripod Monopod

  This tripod is a great affordable option for anyone looking to keep their camera shots more stable. This is one of my faves before I upgraded to a more expensive one. Main important specs: Stable Tripod, Multi-Angle Center Column, Panoramic Ball Head, Adjustable Tripod Legs.
• NEEWER PRO ADJUSTABLE REFLECTOR STAND

  In conjunction with my tripod, I’ve recently purchased this adjustable reflector stand, which comes in HANDY when making my recipe videos. Using this stand along with the Manfrotto head (mentioned above), has created the perfect combo for getting perfectly aligned overhead shots and recipe video content. Definitely one that I recommend! Lastly, I love the fact that it can be adjusted extremely high for the times you choose to use a zoom lens, if you have one.
• Aputure Light Storm C300d Mark II LED Light Kit

  With having to do a cookbook in not so great weather these past few months, I finally took the leap on investing in artificial lighting! While sunlight is my biggest resource for a majority of my photos, this lighting has replicated natural light in such a way that I no longer have to double-check the weather as it relates to being able to shoot my food photos! I so recommend!
• DJI Ronin-SC - Camera Stabilizer, 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal for DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras

  I can't tell you how much of a LIFESAVER this piece of equipment has been! Having a Gimbal when shooting video truly helps you be able to get various angles while keeping things extremely stable. Definitely something that I recommend investing in!
• Aputure Light Dome II (34.8")

  This piece goes with the above light kit! The 34.8" Light Dome II from Aputure is a 16-sided modifier that offers quality of light options and wide compatibility with Aputure lights, as well as those of the many other manufacturers that use popular Bowens front accessory mount.
• SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card

  Chances are, if you're shooting a ton of still images + videos, you'll eventually need a larger memory card, especially if shooting in 4K! This is why I recommend investing in a 1TB memory card if your budget allows.
• Wireless Headset Lavalier Microphone System

  Again, yet another overlooked but important piece of equipment, especially when doing videos. I found that having a Microphone system, I've been better at recording videos that offer clear, high-quality volume/sound. Of course, the prices range for these and you can always purchase something cheaper, however, I love the mid-price range and quality.
• Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator

  Another important equipment for podcasting is the cloudlifter which boosts the volume of the mic! The Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator from Cloud Microphones is a compact, single-input solution for common audio problems in the field and in the studio involving low-output passive microphones, including ribbon mics.
• Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB-C Audio Interface (4th Generation)

  The focusrite scarlett which is used to record the audio and monitor the volume-----which is key for helping keep the audio nice + crisp and even in podcasting. Offering a powerful combination of high-quality sound and user-friendliness in a compact and portable format for recording, podcasting, and streaming, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Generation) 2-in / 2-out USB-C audio interface lets musicians and creators capture high-quality audio with no learning curve, no matter where they go.
• Mogami Gold Studio XLR Female to XLR Male Microphone Cable (10', Black)

  You'll need 2 sets of this cable----one will be connected to the Cloudlifter + the other to the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB-C Audio Interface. The black, 10' Mogami Gold Studio XLR Female to XLR Male Microphone Cable is a high-quality, 4-conductor cable engineered for maximum rejection of RFI and EMI, accurate signal transmission with low noise, and durability. It uses the company's Neglex twisted, double-conductor quad cable with a spiral, bare copper shield, which is effective in maintaining signal integrity, etc.
• Shure by Gator Deluxe Articulating Desktop Podcasting Mic Boom Arm

  You'll want to have an arm that holds your microphone and this is great to have easily attached to any surface where you'll be sitting and talking! Designed to Hold Your Preferred SHURE or Other-Brand Vocal Mic for a Wide Variety of Applications: Broadcasts, Podcasts, Live Streams, etc. Clamps Easily to Any Desk, Table or Similar-Sized Surface up to 2.17” (55mm)-Thick.
• Smart RGB LED Corner Lamp with App and Remote Control

  You can't forget to set the mood for your podcasting space and this corner lamp does the trick! Simply place a few of these lamps in corners near your recording space and you'll got a whole new vibe!
• Philips Hue Indoor 33 Ft Smart LED Solo lightstrip Base Kit

  Yet another awesome way to set the mood for your podcasting and recording space. Simply add these strip lights to any surface area around your recording space to create a beautiful background light. Plus, they change in different colors to fit whatever color scheme you're looking for. My personal fave!

Editing Software

• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6

  Ok, so I'm not that great with Photoshop, but luckily my husband takes care of the photography, so he's good with this! As for its effectiveness---this program works wonders! It's priced at $149, but like many other Adobe programs, it's worth the investment.
• Final Cut Pro

  When it comes to editing my recipe videos, my go-to software is Final Cut Pro---the latest edition. It's an awesome entry-level program, which can also be used on a professional level for those of you who are tech-savvy.

• Food Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots (2nd Edition)

  When it comes to reading books, I'm VERY meticulous since there are so many books out there. However, after doing extensive research, I found this book to be an amazing option when it comes to breaking down the mechanics of photography in general as well as food photography (specifically). This book dishes up the basics on everything you need to know to make great food images, from getting the right camera equipment to mastering the key photographic principles of aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. She offers tips on styling food using props, fabrics, and tabletops; and she explains how to improve your photos through editing after the shoot. A MUST!
• Food Styling: The Art of Preparing Food for the Camera

  After doing extensive research, I found this book to be an amazing option when it comes to breaking down the mechanics of Food styling and the photography behind it. This book dishes up tips + tricks when it comes to ensuring that your food looks perfect at all times. Tons of pictures and a whole lot of information worth buying and knowing!
• Plate to Pixel: Digital Food Photography + Styling

  This book is another thing to get on your list of must-haves! Another winner in sharing amazing tips + tricks to making your Food photos look great. It breaks down the importance of natural light, different camera modes and settings, how to fine-tune exposure, telling your story with light, and MORE!
• Picture Perfect Food: Master the Art of Food Photography

  Snapping unbelievably gorgeous food photos has never been simpler than with Picture Perfect Food, your all-in-one guide to delicious-looking images from prolific photographer and educator, Joanie Simon. Whether you’re an up-and-coming food blogger, looking to break into commercial photography or capturing food just for fun (and your Instagram account), this approachable collection of tutorials will have you taking tantalizing and tasty shots with every snap of the shutter.
• Final Cut Pro Efficient Editing: Smart, quick, and effective video editing

  If you're into making videos or want to understand how to best use Final Cut Pro, besides YouTube videos, I suggest getting this book! Explore the best ways to use FCP, from importing and editing to finishing and exporting the final cut, unlock the power of editing in the magnetic timeline to make huge changes or subtle adjustments easily, and finish your project with pro-level color correction, effects, transitions, audio, titles, and captions.

• Web Hosting

  Website User Top Picks: Blue Host, Siteground, WP Engine, and my current host: BigScoots---their Customer Service and support teams are amazing and ready to help, always!

• Wordpress Themes

  OUR FAVORITE: The Genesis Framework (With Genesis, you’re going to want to purchase the Framework ($59.95) along with a child theme(prices vary). This makes up your entire site's theme and layout.) Simply visit Studio Press Themes for WordPress.

  Of course, I've chosen to build my website out from scratch, however, we still use the same framework.

  Others: Foodie Pro, Daily Dish, and Elegant Themes.

• Website Tools

  Email Marketing: I previously used Mailchimp--It's great and super simple and customizable. Then, I switched my email marketing to ConvertKit, which most bloggers rave about. But now, I currently use Flodesk which has been a dream so far! I'm all about the design/aesthetics of things and this platform does a great job at highlighting that!

  Other tools that are useful: ManageWP, Codeable, Google Apps, Cloudflare, Google Analytics (Your BFF for life!), Canva, Yoast SEO, Ahrefs, and more!

• Wordpress Plugins:

  Akismet (Spam Blocker).

  Yoast SEO (a great starter tool for anyone learning SEO and wants to ensure that their blog posts meet SEO standards).

  Broken Link Checker (I like it because it makes me aware of any inside or outside links that are broken on my site that need fixing).

  Pinterest Pin It button (super easy for readers to "Pin" your images with just one click).

  UpDraftPlus (for backing up your site).

  WP Super Cache (helps to keep things rolling speedily on your site).

  VaultPress (Great for Security + BackUps).

  WP Recipe Maker (Great organized recipe cards that are great for SEO also)

  Gravity Forms (Great option for your website forms).

  Imagify (Image optimizer that reduces your image size to minimize server resources).

  WP Rocket (allows you to speed up your site and enhance overall performance).

My Advice