Make it stand out.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
MIRRORLESS CAMERAS
A mirrorless camera is an ideal choice for travel content creators for several reasons.
Firstly, they are lightweight and compact, making them easy to carry around during your travels. They are also more discreet than DSLRs, allowing you to blend in with the crowd and capture candid moments without drawing too much attention. Additionally, mirrorless cameras have excellent autofocus and image stabilization capabilities, which are essential for capturing sharp, clear images and videos on the go. They also offer a wide range of interchangeable lenses, giving you the flexibility to capture a variety of perspectives and compositions. Finally, mirrorless cameras are equipped with advanced features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, allowing you to easily transfer your photos and videos to your smartphone or tablet for quick editing and sharing on social media.
All of these factors make mirrorless cameras an excellent choice for travel content creators looking to capture stunning visuals and share their adventures with the world.
Our current favorite is the Canon M50. It’s seamless, shoots beautifully, and when used with different lenses, it really makes this little camera so powerful. This photo was taken with the Canon M50 and the base lens actually.
SLR CAMERAS
While traditional SLR cameras have been the go-to choice for professional photographers for many years, they are not always the best option for travel content creators. SLRs tend to be larger and heavier than mirrorless cameras, which can be a disadvantage when you need to carry them around all day. They also make more noise due to the mirror mechanism, which can draw unwanted attention and disrupt the ambiance of your surroundings.
On the other hand, SLR cameras still have some advantages over mirrorless cameras. They generally have longer battery life, which can be useful for extended shooting sessions. Additionally, SLRs have an optical viewfinder that shows you the exact image you're capturing, which some photographers prefer over the electronic viewfinder of mirrorless cameras. Finally, SLRs typically have a wider range of lenses and accessories available, giving you more options to customize your gear for specific shooting situations.
If you ask me, I 100% prefer traditional SLRs, but that’s if I am taking my time shooting. If I want to shoot something quickly and move on, I’d go for mirrorless. It’s entirely up to you to decide what works best for you. In my opinion, you don’t need to have the fanciest or more expensive camera to make quality content. It’s really all about the lens and knowing how to manipulate the light coming through it. Take it from this photo to the left. Our “deer” friend here was shot with the Canon T6 with 30mm lens.
FILM CAMERAS
Using a film camera can be a unique and rewarding experience. Shooting with film can force you to slow down and be more intentional with your shots, as you only have a limited number of exposures per roll. The process of shooting film also allows you to be more involved in the creative process, from selecting the type of film to developing and printing the final images. Additionally, film cameras can produce a distinct look and feel that is different from digital photography, with film grain, color saturation, and depth of field that can add a vintage or artistic touch to your images.
There are several different formats of film available for use in film cameras, including 35mm, medium format, and large format. 35mm film is the most common and widely available format, and is used in cameras such as the Pentax K1000. Medium format film is larger than 35mm and produces higher quality images with more detail and larger prints, but the cameras are more expensive and the film is harder to find. Large format film is the largest and produces the highest quality images with extreme detail and sharpness, but the cameras are bulky and expensive, and the film is even harder to find and process.
You can get a point and shoot film camera from eBay or Amazon or even at your local camera shop. I have a small collection of film cameras ranging from point and shoots, SLRs, rangefinders, compact cameras, and half-frame cameras, but I’ll always go for my tried and true, the Pentax K1000.
Here’s a shot with the Pentax K1000 and Fujifilm ISO 400 film.
early 2000’s point and shoots and camcorders
If you’re looking for a unique and nostalgic feel to your images, head to eBay and get your hands on some vintage Canon Powershots or Sony Handycam cameras. These cameras often have a distinct look and feel that is different from modern cameras. Here are some reasons why I love bringing around a point and shoot camera or a camcorder from the early 2000’s:
Accessibility: They’re relatively easy to find and can be purchased at a reasonable price. You can often find them at thrift stores, garage sales, or online marketplaces, making them super accessible. The cameras I use are Canon Powershots that I’ve had since I was a little girl or were gifted to me by family!
Simplicity: They’re very simple and easy to use, with automatic exposure and focus. This can be a good option if you don't want to spend a lot of time adjusting settings and just want to capture the moment.
Nostalgia: They can offer a sense of nostalgia and a unique look and feel to your images. They often produce a distinct color palette and grain that can add character and interest to your photos.
Portability: They are often smaller and more portable than modern digital cameras or film SLRs. They can fit in your purse or even your pocket and are ready to be used whenever you’d like.
Creativity: Using these cameras can force you to think creatively and work with the limitations of the camera. This can be a fun and rewarding experience, and can help you develop your skills as a photographer.
It’s so fun and rewarding to experiment with different forms of cameras. Whether it’s film, a mirrorless camera, an old SLR, a newer SLR, a camcorder — whatever it is, it truly expands your creativity and allows you to have so much fun with it. It’s always so fun as a creator to pick up a new camera and have so many ideas run through your mind on how you can execute a certain vision in your head.