Looking to Up Your Social Media Game? Here's What You Need

If you’re trying to level up your social media game, you need more than just good vibes and a dream. The right gear can take your content from “eh” to “OMG, how did you shoot that?” Whether you’re building a personal brand, launching a side hustle, or just want your videos to stop looking like they were filmed on a potato, investing in quality equipment is a game-changer. And the best part? You don’t have to drop your entire savings to do it.

That’s where B&H Photo comes in clutch. With their student discount with Student Beans, you can get pro-level cameras, lighting, and audio gear for way less. We’re breaking down exactly what you need to upgrade your setup without breaking the bank so your content can look just as good as your creativity deserves.

1. A Solid Grip

On reality? Yes, but you're also going to need some kind of grip for your phone when you're filming or taking photos. You have a few different options here, so let's break them down:

Tripods

A tripod is going to be the most affordable option for all your social media endeavors. Whether you want a rigid or flexible one is up to you, but this covers most general photography and filming needs. They're easy to use, set up, and move, so this is a solid option if you're just starting to explore what you can do with your phone. Here are a few of our favorite options:

Mounts

Mounts are exactly what they sound like. It's a little pod that you plant on a surface to keep your phone stable while you shoot. The key difference between these and tripods is that mounts now have the ability to automatically track you, meaning the camera follows you as you move (like this Pivo Pod Lite Auto-Tracking Smartphone Mount). This is perfect if you're filming and don't want to constantly change your set up every time you move out of frame.

Gimbals

These are the most technical grips since gimbals stabilize the camera as you move, meaning that the camera angle stays the same regardless of the position you're holding it. For anyone filming a lot, especially for content that involves a lot of movement, this is the way to go. This is also the most expensive choice, but there are gimbals that won't break the bank. Here are a few options to choose from:

2. A Microphone

For anyone who plans on filming, a microphone is a must. Thankfully, there's a huge range of price points to explore, depending on how serious you are or what you want to get out of your videos. Regardless of what you end up choosing, your sound is going to be much clearer than if you were using headphones or the microphone built into your phone.

There's a reason ring lights are so popular—it's because the added lighting makes everyone look that much better in photos and videos. If you're serious about improving your social media game and making your content look that much better, a lightbox is a must.

We love Angler Beauty Flex Twin Stick. It holds your phone perfectly inside the right, creating the perfect lighting for all your pictures and videos. It even has two different light settings (cold and warm) to ensure you have the right vibe for each piece of content you produce.

4. A Wireless Shutter Release

While everyone loves a good selfie every now and then, sometimes you want to include more than however far your arm can stretch out. Enter the wireless shutter release. This little remote allows you to stand your phone up (maybe on one of the tripods we mentioned earlier?) and take a picture from a distance.

JOBY has a great one for just $25. It uses Bluetooth to connect to your phone and gives you a range of up to 80 feet. If you want more freedom with your shooting, this is the way to go.

5. A Rear Camera Monitor

Even if you're not a content creator or want to up your social media skills, this is a seriously good investment if you're the designated photographer or videographer of your friend group. Allow us to introduce you to a nifty little gadget called the rear camera monitor.

This one from Elvid FieldVision is perfect for DSLR and mirrorless cameras. You can monitor SD, HD, and 4K video signals on a high res screen. It even has full HDMI input, making it the perfect choice.

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This is a sponsored post in partnership with B&H Photo.

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