The Most Useful Products for TikTok Creators & Short Form Content

If you are a photographer, filmmaker, or content creator and not creating short form video on IG Reels, TikTok, or YouTube shorts, you’re missing out. The reach is mind-blowing.

By creating and sharing on TikTok and IG reels, I was able to grow my audience by 30K in less than one year, network with big name creators, and partner with brands I love… Fujifilm, Moment, and Adobe to name a few.

If you don’t know how to get started, I have good news: short form video content creation doesn’t have to be huge transition in your workflow. Share your creative process. Show your audience what you do. Or teach them the skills they need to be successful. As long as it’s educational, entertaining, and/or relatable, your content has the potential to do well no matter the production value - from full mirrorless video rig to just your phone and a good mic.

So if you’re an aspiring Tiktok star, content creator, or filmmaker/photographer looking to plunge into short form video, here’s a list of my favorite tools to get you started.

At A Glance...

Moment iPhone Case - The Case for Creators

Pro Tripod Mount - Portrait - For Creators Needing a Mobile Tripod Option

Lightning to TRRS Adapter - Easy For Connection

Smart Lav+ Microphone - Effect Audio Setup For Lives

Manfrotto Pixi Tripod - A Great Miniature Tripod for Mobile 

Multithreaded Mount For MagSafe - Attach It Anywhere!

FujiFilm XS10 Camera - The Best Do-It-All Content Creator Camera

FujiFilm 18mm F/1.4 Len (Backup 16mm F/1.4) - The Best Focal Length for Vlogging

RODE Video Micro - Everyone's Favorite Contact Microphone 

TRS to TRRS Cable - Connections For 

Mefoto Benro Backpacker - The Best Tripod For Traveling Creators

Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone - A High Quality Podcasting Microphone

DJI Action 2 - Great Camera For Adventure Junkies

Moment MagSafe Case for iPhone

This case checks all the boxes for me: it protects my phone, looks great, and works with my favorite Moment lenses. The best part is it allows me to streamline my entire mobile content creation process thanks to the built in magnets that work with Moment’s MagSafe mounting accessories.

Pro Tripod Mount - Portrait

Having the ability to film in the portrait orientation is key in vertical video platforms like TikTok and IG Reels. I love the Pro Tripod Mount because it allows me to easily pop my phone onto my tripod, film a few clips, and quickly remove it without having to fumble around with clamps. The included cold shoe let’s me attach a microphone or LED light when needed.

Lightning to TRRS Adapter

With short form video, you literally have seconds to hook a viewer in, so great audio is an absolute must. And using a dedicated microphone is an easy way to help your content stand out from the pack. If you’re wanting to use a higher quality lav mic or shotgun, this adapter is essential.

Smart Lav+ Microphone

The SmartLav+ is my favorite microphone to use for capturing audio with my iPhone. It can be clipped to your collar, hidden inside your shirt, or you can even hold it in your hand for great audio on the go.

Manfrotto Pixi Tripod

My favorite and most used tripod also happens to be the most affordable and most portable tripod I own. It’s very simple to use: mount your phone or camera, spread out the legs, and push the button to dial in the perfect angle. You can even use it to rig up microphones or lights when needed.

Multithreaded Mount For MagSafe

The easiest way to level up the composition of your shot is to stop shooting at eye level. The multithreaded mount allows me to mount my phone to friction arms, rigging equipment, or boom arms for low angle shots, high angle shots, and my personal favorite: top down overhead shots.

FujiFilm XS10 Camera

When I want to step up my video quality or get shallower depth of field, I reach for my trusty Fujifilm X-S10. It has the perfect balance of image quality, portability, and amazing color — which is perfect for those who don’t plan on color grading theirshort form video footage. I love using the flip screen to check framing and dial-in the lighting and exposure for my shots.

FujiFilm 18mm F/1.4 Len (Backup 16mm F/1.4)

The tried-and-true FujiFilm 16mm F/1.4 and the and updated FujiFilm 18mm F/1.4 are my favorite lenses for video content creation. They allow me to get close-up and personal to my audience for talking head style clips while still keeping the background nice and blurry (even in my small office space). They also work great for b-roll, capturing wide scenes, and getting in close for faux-macro shots.

RODE Video Micro

In my opinion, this is hands-down the most versatile shotgun mic for the money when it comes to content creation. I’ve been using it for TikTok and IG Reels, but it’s also been my go-to mic for YouTube videos as well. Mount it to the top of your mirrorless camera or phone for vlog style audio capture. And when you’re in the studio, boom it close to your mouth, just outside of the frame.

TRS to TRRS Cable

If you want to use your RODE Video Micro with your phone, you’ll need this cable. Great for vlog style video clips or talking head setups in your TikTok studio.

Mefoto Benro Backpacker

If a pocket sized tripod won’t cut it, the Benro Mefoto Backpacker is the one I reach for. It’s the perfect height for shooting short form video content out in the field. And when you’re all done, it packs up small and compact. This one’s a no brainer.

Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone

If you’re camera shy, want to record voice over commentary, or want to add that warm podcast quality audio to your TikToks or IG Reels, take note of the Shure MV7. This mic is awesome because it has both an XLR output as well as a USB output that can plug directly into your computer without any extra adapters/converters.

DJI Action 2

If you want to add some POV (point of view) footage to your short form video content without having to hold your phone 24/7, and action cam is a must. The DJI Action 2 has a magnet mount that lets you clip the camera to your clothing so you can film behind the scenes content without having to draw too much attention to yourself.

Be sure to follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok! Hope you found this guide to be helpful, happy shopping! Check out my preset pack and lesson on FujiFilm shooting below.