Must-Have Gear and Apps for Blogging
I love sharing the message of Pine Daisy House through digital publishing and blogging. It’s not without a little, okay alotta, help from various gear and apps or software services.
I was recently setting up my new cell phone and discussing its ins and outs over on instagram. A few of you expressed an interest in knowing what apps and camera gear I specifically use for content creation here and on social media.
From time to time I think it’s helpful to share behind-the-scenes of what blogging and digital publishing entails. I love sharing this side of my life. It is equal parts creative and technical and is really fun.
So let’s dive-in and let me share what gear and apps I’m using these days. A quick note though, I have curated this collection of gear over a decade. So start simple with what you can and just progress from there.
*This post contains affiliate links
Camera Gear
I’ve been taking photos professionally and as a hobby for over a decade. During that time I have become a completely self-taught and mentored photographer. As a matter-of-fact Pine Daisy House remains rooted in strong creative visuals that tell my story of intentional and mindful living.
The gear I use for my photos and photoshoots:
- Camera Body: Canon 60D
- 18-200mm Canon Lens
- 50mm Fixed Canon Lens
- 24mm Fixed Canon Lens
- Canon Flash Speedlite 430 EX II
- Tripod
I also often snap photos with my smart phone. The onboard camera is amazing and the mobility can’t be beat. Recently this photo was featured on several outdoor enthusiast social media outlets and it was taken with my phone.
Here are the details about my smart phone and the gadgets I use:
Photo and Video Editing Apps/Software
I try to keep my photos very true to color and natural. My photos are not over exposed and rarely do I use any additional overlays. If I do, it is to enhance the story the photo is already telling.
The photo software I use:
- Adobe and their Creative Cloud for photo editing and online album creation
- I predominately use Lightroom (the mobile app and desktop version) and Lightroom Classic. And Photoshop on occasion too.
- I subscribe to the photography plan.
- Light and Airy Presets for quick editing and a cohesive color scheme
- App- Snapseed for additional photo editing, free version
- App- PicsArt for photo overlays, free version
One area I am growing in is short form video. With the onset of reels, and IGTV creating short video in digital publishing is a great way to tell a story or share a message. I shoot video on either my DSLR or smartphone first then I’ll edit it with the below tools.
What I use to create short form video
- App-Filmmaker Pro, I subscribe annually to this app
- iMovie
- Onboard editing video tools within Instagram
- Gimbal
Digital Art, Logo, and Graphics
It is really important to have a cohesive look to my logos, blog, social media and pinterest graphics. I have played with a few different tools but landed on the following two.
- Canva-I subscribe annually to this app and website. I use Canva for shoppable images, graphics, and my logo
- App-Unfold for smarter looking Instagram Stories, free version
Website
Last year I went into GREAT detail about blogging specifically. I wrote a few articles about it and you can reference them here.
But for the sake of today here are the major details about my website
- Web Host- Bluehost
- Website Software- WordPress.org
- Website Theme- Bard Theme by WP Royal, free version
- Subscriber email service- Mailchimp, free up to 2,000 subscribers
Computer
I also wrote a blogpost about my computer purchase a little over two years ago. It has been and continues to be the best investment I’ve made in my blogging and digital publishing journey.
For all things computer processing I use:
- MacBook Pro 2018, 15 in, 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7, 16 gb, 2400 MHz DDR4 or the 16 in. version here
- Multi-Port Hub
- MacBook Hardcase
- Toshiba External Hard Drive
Slow and Steady
As I said in the beginning of this article, I’ve been collecting this gear over the course of nearly a decade. So while, yes, this list is very comprehensive it’s merely meant to serve as a reference for you. Or it can be launch point to begin your own research. I hope it’s helpful if you are on a photography or digital publishing journey. Or maybe you have always been curious how bloggers and content creators make those silly reels…Either way…Today I hope I leave you with hope…
For you and your intentional home,
