Creator's Gear List
Everything I use to film, record, and run my business, sorted by category and budget. (Yes, I own too many lights.)
Curated by Ryan Weeden, founder of Masters of BalayageSide effects may include filming every client's hair flip.
Camera
Low budget
Best entry-level camera for creators. Excellent value and image quality.
High budget
Next level quality and Bluetooth connectivity. Exceptional in low light.
The gold standard for cinematic video.
Lens
My go-to for talking-head shots. Beautiful background separation.
Lighting
Low budget
Simple plug-and-play. App-controlled. Great for studio setups.
Budget-friendly and surprisingly powerful for the price. Comes as a 2-pack.
High budget
Professional quality. If you're serious about lighting, this is it.
Pair this with the Nanlite above. It diffuses and focuses the light beautifully and makes a huge difference in the quality of your shots.
Microphone
Low budget
Clips magnetically. Massive audio upgrade for the price.
Medium budget
Perfect for podcasting and voiceover. USB + XLR. Sounds incredible.
Upgraded wireless lav system. A game changer for on-location filming.
High budget
The podcast mic. Used in every professional studio on the planet.
Tripods & Stands
Flexible, packable, works anywhere. My everyday tripod.
Solid full-size tripod for studio setups.
Affordable and sturdy for mounting lights.
Optional Gear
Nice to have
Automate scenes, shortcuts, and workflows while recording.
Read scripts while looking directly into the lens.
For on-the-go b-roll and vlogging. Tiny but stunning quality.
Digital Tools
Website & course platform
All-in-one platform for courses, memberships, email, and your website. What I run my entire business on.
Easy drag-and-drop website builder for creatives. Great if you want a stunning portfolio or business site without any tech headaches.
Video editing
Free, fast, and surprisingly powerful. Great for Reels and YouTube Shorts.
Industry-standard video editing for long-form YouTube content.
Design & thumbnails
My go-to for thumbnails, social graphics, and branded content. Fast and easy.
Podcast & audio
Records remote podcast interviews in studio-quality audio and video. Huge upgrade from Zoom.
Simple podcast hosting that distributes to every major platform.
Email marketing
My go-to for building and growing an email list. Built specifically for creators, with sequences, automations, and landing pages all in one place.
AI & productivity
My primary AI tool for writing, scripting, strategy, and content ideation.
Edit video by editing the transcript. Removes filler words automatically.
Start here
Don't overthink your first setup. Here's exactly what I'd get if I were starting from zero today. (Future-you can upgrade later.)
Some links on this page are affiliate links. I only recommend tools and gear I personally use or believe in. Your support helps keep this content free. Thank you!
