The Best Photography/Vlogging Equipment Setup

My current photography and video/vlogging setup is the Panasonic Lumix G9 and Leica/Lumix 12mm f1.4 lens (24mm full frame equivalent), with the RODE Video Camera Microphone, and it rocks for both still photos and videos!

Lumix G9 with the new upcoming Pro Henri Wrist Strap.

See all new Eric Kim Photography YouTube Videos >

Simpler is better

Essentially I believe the simplest setup is the best. The purpose isn’t to maximize your video/audio quality; the purpose is to simplify the technical stuff, so you can focus what’s truly important:

Making great content which inspires, motivates, and empowers yourself and others!

In Praise of Intelligent Auto Mode in Panasonic

The Panasonic Lumix cameras has an “iA” (intelligent automatic) mode which rocks. I just plug the RODE video microphone into the Lumix G9, and hit record. It’s awesome, it’s so simple and the video quality is amazing, and it just works!

The future of photography is BOTH video and still photos

I think the future for photography is shooting both still photos and videos. In talking to my buddy Bil Brown (commercial and fashion photographer), he says his clients want both video and still photos. This is why Bil invested in a RED CAMERA, that does epic 5k video and still photos.

Start your own YouTube channel

Instagram is a bad platform for innovation and video. Start your own YouTube channel, and start uploading to it!

In a nutshell, once you’ve uploaded any video to your personal Google account into YouTube, you have a channel!

For more info, here’s the official instructions to start your own YouTube channel:

Create a personal channel

To get started with your personal YouTube account with your personal Google Account:

Follow these instructions to create a channel that only you can manage using your Google Account.

Sign in to YouTube on a computer or using the mobile site.

Try any action that requires a channel, such as uploading a video, posting a comment, or creating a playlist.

If you don’t yet have a channel, you’ll see a prompt to create a channel.

Check the details (with your Google Account name and photo) and confirm to create your new channel.

If you want to make a ‘pro’ YouTube channel, follow these instructions:

Use a different name on YouTube than your Google Account

If you want to use a name or photo on YouTube that’s different from what you have for your Google Account, connect your channel to a Brand Account. You can do this to support your business or brand identity on YouTube without showing a connection with your personal Google Account.

What should I upload?

If you’re new to YouTube, it’s easy. Just record a video on your phone, and upload directly to your youtube channel using the YouTube app on your phone.

On your phone, find the video file, then click “Share to YouTube”.

It’s seriously that easy.

What type of videos should I make?

Some ideas:

1. Vlog:

Just use the selfie mode on your phone and talk normally, like talking to a friend. Or use your digital camera with the swivel screen and talk normally.

2. Slideshow

Use iMovie on your MacBook or Apple device, and make a photography slideshow of your favorite photos and share it to your YouTube channel.

Another idea, download the “GoPro Quik” app (available for both Android and iPhone), and use it to make epic slideshow with fun music and transitions.

3. GoPro street photography POV

Get a GoPro and mount it on top of your camera, and shoot your own POV (point of view) videos!

Search for ‘GoPro hotshoe mount’ on Amazon, and buy one to get your setup going:

Just upload it!

The most important thing: just start! It doesn’t matter if you shoot 720p, 1080p, or 4k. Just record what is personally meaningful to you, what’s fun for you, and don’t take it too seriously!