Must Have Gear for a Home Studio

Use this link to get $25 off your PPA membership: www.ppa.com/jo...
Video about tripods: • Best Tripods for Food ...
Video about camera comparisons and used cameras: • The Best Camera for Fo...
Lenses referenced: 50mm f1.8 and a 100mm f2.8 macro
What is aperture: • APERTURE: Food Photogr...
Video about tethering to Canon: • Tethering to Canon Cam...
Get a 30 Day Free Trial of Capture One: captureone.com
Attaching your camera to a c-stand • Mounting A Camera for ...
Gigantic diffuser: geni.us/37UYpA
Tables and sawhorses for food photography: • Best Table for Shootin...
Clamps: geni.us/EHAMHEf
Gaffers Tape: geni.us/KG4tC
Backdrops I love: • Food Photography Backd...
DIY Backdrops: • DIY Backdrops for Food...
DIY Wood Backdrops: • DIY Wood Backdrops for...
Giant V-Flat: geni.us/Sm77k
Find more food photography resources at thebiteshot.com
Sign up for Joanie’s weekly food photography tips at thebiteshot.co...
Want to get started with Artificial Lighting? Check out our FREE mini course, to help you Pick Your Perfect Light at thebiteshot.co...
For a full listing of all my gear see thebiteshot.co...
Love a free workshop? We've got one coming up! Sign up here: thebiteshot.co...
Rather be reading? My latest book, Picture Perfect Food is at thebiteshot.co...
Please note that most of the links to products we share are affiliate links and we will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. We use all of these products and recommend them because we believe in them. Thank you for supporting the businesses who support us!

[@vicwithav]

1. Camera (3:29) 2. Lens (4:45) 3. Tether Cable (7:25) 4. Tripod (8:22) 5. C-Stand (10:05) 7. Diffuser (10:50) 7. Artificial Light (12:52) 8. Sawhorses (13:55) 9. A-Clamps + Tape (15:05) 10. Backgrounds + Surfaces (16:15) 11. White/Black Bounce Cards (16:45)

[@NameIsSakr]

You can use Markers and add them to the description of your video and all of that will be displayed on the video itself.

[@anniesquickmealchannel1466]

Thank you

[@anniesquickmealchannel1466]

Thanks

[@jaimeduncan6167]

thanks, I saw the full video, but having the list in a single place is great.

[@manilamartin1001]

I have everything on that list except courage to publish my portfolio.

[@withhelenblog]

You're always so supportive and encouraging to everyone no matter where they are at with their photography. Everything you recommended has helped me a lot since I started. Thank you so much for taking the time to make these resources, Joanie!

[@kerskind]

Can I just say... the lighting setup in this video IS THE BEST!!! that beautiful silhouette of the camera in the back with the light hitting your head just enough on the back. It is MAGIC!

[@sigridlee3743]

Agreed. Captivating.

[@PanjiAditya90]

I browsed a lot of food photography videos and I always come back to your videos. also your positivity is just contagious. thank you Joanie. Hope you and your family stays safe & healthy during this weird, weird times.

[@brandicheng7310]

Love this!!!! The diffuser taco! I ran to fold mine up and sighed in relief :) Thank you for all you do!!

[@TheBiteShot]

You are so welcome!

[@bho9632]

Hands down the best product/food photography guide on KZbin, precise and simple!

[@Drivr555]

About tether cords: Canon uses a standard USB 3.0 Micro-B connector on their DSLR’s. You can buy a 20’ one on amazon with either a USB 3.0 type A or type C for about 1/3 the price of a 15’ Tether Tools tethering cable. They work the same.

[@PiotrWasilewicz]

You doing well, knowing the fact you struggled with addiction make me feel grateful. Your perfection is super visible. Would love to see how you set up lights? Your skin, face hair looks fantastic!!!

[@michelleangelcook422]

I love you SSSSOOOOOO MUCH!!! How you empower and inspire others to create is truly a gift!

[@FlavourStudio]

Great tips!! your videos never failed to teach something new everytime i watch it 💗

[@Babalola683]

The best idea ever. We all need to have known this before starting. Nice work

[@TheBiteShot]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lamiaghazi8736]

Thank you for being so selfless and sharing what you have learned on your journey.

[@ThruVisualMedia]

Just re-viewed this video, Joanie GOD Bless you min 11:37 was Priceless... I needed to watch this...I have had a green screen open for over a year... and with your tip I was able to shut it for the first time.... THANK YOU!

[@eligar7830]

I’ve enjoyed perusing through your videos. I’m a little backwards in the game..... I started out years ago using my cooking skills to teach myself how to use my Canon DSLR in manual, eventually using diffusers and bounce boards, shutter remotes, battery grips, tripods, and enough props that I needed an entire “Room of Requirement” in my house to store it all. Along the way smart phone cameras got way more advanced and I found myself whipping out my latest gen dujour iPhone more and more and dragging out my camera, gear, and props less and less while also untethering myself from the computer, completely giving up using PS and sticking with taking nice shots with my phone requiring only minor tweaks in a good iPad app, to the point that my phone and iPad became all I’d ever use and everything else got packed away. As I’ve recently starting to get back into taking purposeful photos of my food a bit more just for fun for my instagram, I see videos all over KZbin that reaffirm that I’m still looking to keep it simple by maximizing my latest gen iPhone pro and iPad. While these will never be professional quality by any means, more videos on how to get lovely photos maximizing the features of the latest iPhone cameras are very educational and practical for those of us who love to cook and want to showcase our creations without having to use anything more than a good smart phone, work with existing lighting, and incorporate some of the great tips on using transportable backdrops. Thanks for a having such an informative channel and taking the time to include content for backwards people like me who’ve “been there, done that” and now get more out of working with less. 🙃

[@jasonbennett2361]

Thank you so much for this video! So helpful! Can’t wait to get my home studio going!

[@denisecoleman3226]

I’d love to see a video on how to use the giant v-flat. Thanks for your great videos. You rock!

[@avocaos]

Started with a cropped and now moved to a refurbished 6d mark ii and couldn’t be more happy!

[@TheBiteShot]

So happy to hear!

[@MakeAheadMealMom]

Perfect timing - I just moved my stuff into my front room this last weekend to set up a “studio” as I work through your artificial lighting course!! This was so helpful!! Now off to buy a c-stand and tether cord! 👍🏻

[@rachelkorinek35]

I mean, I'm a Nikon girl and I LOVE NIKON! Welcome to the team. I have the z6 and adore it. I can't wait to get the next generation as well xx

[@omegafoodphotography8836]

Congrats on the new studio Joanie!🍾🥂💐 Thanks for the video!💗👍

[@JWMCMLXXX]

Great video. No filler, but also covers all the bases. Thank you.

[@samanthagarner2926]

I love my used camera! It works great 3 years later

[@HDEFMAN1]

This was just a joy to watch! Your video is chock full of really useful info. You have managed to cover so many aspects of food photography in those 18 minutes. Although I am more of a product photographer there was a lot of useful ideas in your video that work across both genres. Totally agree that pan and tilt heads are better suited to shooting videos as I also bought a pan and tilt head and struggle to make it work for me. I definitely need to admit this was a mistake and have another look at geared heads. I am guilty of leaving my photography soft boxes always set up so that they are always ready.

[@tdalton854]

wow, what a wonderfully nice down to earth run down of the basics. I used the word inspired in a comment on another of your vids. It applies here also. Ive dabbled with still life type shots but now can't wait to get set up. Just as a hobby fro fun. and seeing you close up that big diffuser means it might be ok for me to open mine again after sitting for years because, you know. thanks

[@SheriWilson]

Your videos are always so spot on and relevant! Thank you for this gem!

[@supercarolita81]

Bravo for that folding! (And of course, for the studio ♥️)

[@TheBiteShot]

I got you!!

[@PoppyBeeBo]

I love you! It’s like having a mentor any time you need it!

[@user-eb6eb2hk6q]

Watching you fold up that giant diffuser was fantastic!!! Thanks for the demo. :)

[@abby-nc4uk]

Your videos are so informative and full of fun ! I love watching them and learn SO MUCH from you ! Thank you ❤️

[@MicheileDotCom]

Joanie great video! I’m actually working on my little home studio at the moment! I’ve learned so much from you! Greetings from The Netherlands 😘

[@TheBiteShot]

So glad to hear!!

[@thomazsardinha616]

Very useful. Thank you again for your share.

[@MichaelCocivera]

Great tips, I’m currently remodeling a home studio area for dedicated photography and video work and will definitely take your advice on the sawhorses. One thing I should point out though when you mentioned using gaffers tape is gaffers tape will rip paint off a wall and it’s probably not the best thing for people to use in all situations. There is a channel called Grip Tips and he talks about those those situations and recommends a type of tape called “photo black” Don’t get me wrong I have tons of gaffers tape but Photo black will not ruin everything the only problem is photo black cost just as much is gaffers tape.

[@katjawurzburg29]

Your advice is so precious. Thx a thousand times for sharing. Love you for it.

[@aliciamyers6176]

I have to rewatch everything after the diffuser folding demo. I was too giddy to pay attention after I got mine back in the bag. Best tip ever!!!

[@mikebatvan]

I made a bunch of big V-flats about the size of the giant one several years ago, some of them could use a new coat of paint, but otherwise they're still working great. Go down to your nearest lowes or home depot or whatever, get at least a pair of 4'x8' insulation boards (just looked it up on Lowes website and they're about $12 a board), pick up some paint while you're there - black and white, or grab some colors if you want to have them occasionally double as backgrounds, also a good idea to get a dropcloth to cover the floor where you're going to be painting. I happened to have a garage to work in at the time, it takes a good amount of space, but you're going to want to lay them out next to each other like an open book and gaff tape them together on both sides of the binding. Paint one side, let it dry completely, then flip it and paint the other. All told, once you count in the paint and the insulation, they're around $30 a flat. Other pro-tips: The side that has printing on it will likely need you to prime the hell out of it if you're painting anything other than black over it. That printing will bleed through EVERYTHING. I had to cut about a foot off the top of mine for ease of handling indoors - I made this into a mini V flat that still gets used a bunch.

[@BambooScar]

Like the pink foldable stuff?

[@mikebatvan]

@@BambooScar no, you want board insulation, they're like 8ft x 4ft foam boards

[@user-jw4fn6fh2x]

Don't spend a ton of money on shiny boards. Get them from any major hardware store. Just go to the insulation area and get a sheet of foam board with silver on one side. I like to use 1 - 2 inch thick.

[@HungryCh3f]

Awesome tips! Thank you!!

[@bernadinecabanas331]

I love your video 🤩 its so complete…thank you so much Joani , its a great help for me and you save me money 😊

[@TheBiteShot]

I'm so glad!

[@Just-a-bystander]

Stupid question: I haven’t done much of any actual food photography.. but I have done product photography. I have strobes and gear to the point where I’m totally covered in that area. I use and have backgrounds and some props, so for instance for wine photography I have used glassware and serving dishes and cutting boards with fruits and cheeses. However, never shot food, specially ingredients and/or finished dishes. The question comes down to this, are you the cook? Are you preparing all the subjects for the display? I imagine at the beginning, working in this area, you are the chief. Or are you working with pre prepared items, or a partner that creates them? I’ve only just found your channel a few weeks ago and I’m working my way through, so perhaps you have talked about prep of the subjects, but so far all the discussion has been about “how to” photograph the food, present the food, light the food. If you haven’t put a video together on the food, perhaps a subject could be of the food pre prep for a shoot. Generally, I find in any shoot, as a photographer you are concentrating of arrangement and presentation at that time, and the addition of cooking on top of all that makes the process somewhat over complicated for the moment of shooting the food.

[@jasminel4175]

You are so inspiring! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I’m beginning my food photography journey and this video was extremely helpful.

[@zoeybotha]

YOU ARE AWESOME!!! Thank you so much for all your videos!

[@2wuh]

I LOVE your videos! Thank you so much for sharing, teaching, and encouraging us! Amazing content and it’s so well edited! 💕

[@jody1622]

Oh, I laughed so hard! Wish I'd had this in the beginning. I swear I fell into almost all those holes and came to about the same conclusions. Honestly, I have a bunch of stuff that I have no idea what it's for...thought I needed it for something 🤪

[@duncanator9307]

I love this channel

[@lovelyjubblyy2657]

You’re the best Joanie! Can’t wait to get my hands on your new book ☺️💛🤞🏼

[@TheBiteShot]

Wow, thank you!

[@lovelyjubblyy2657]

@@TheBiteShot I’ve pre-ordered it so fingers crossed it’ll come soon, I’m from Scotland! 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Never stop being you! 😊

[@melaniefernandez9783]

Thank you so much for sharing!!! Love all your tips.

[@Houston1906]

Very beneficial video!

[@jessicagermaine2357]

Your videos are the best! I always learn sooo much!

[@raeinthewild]

You’re like a magician! Thanks for sharing the secret of how to fold those dang things! 😝

[@emmanuelfils-aime4389]

Thank you Joanie! This video was super helpful!

[@joelowthianYT]

This is such a helpful video, thank you! Can’t tell you how many things I bought early on that I regret and upgraded almost instantly 🤦🏻

[@CashewCakery]

Thank you so much for this video! It was super helpful since i’ve been thinking of buying a camera for my food photos and it is super intimidating so this video was recommended to me at such a great time! Love your channel!!💕

[@bywateracres]

Just found your channel! And I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your knowledge! This has been so helpful :)

[@MKB0720]

Love your videos...thanks so much for sharing your experiences and knowledge!!

[@sueobryan212]

Perfect list.

[@SinginSquid12]

omg I was just about to buy a tripod so I cannot wait for that tripod video. Yes pleasseeee!

[@claudia598]

I have some stuff and some don't. This is very helpful plus things that I can easily use in my studio (finally moved all my stuff from home to my tiny studio) now props are taking over space! lol

[@CocinaconRusbe]

I, too, bought a gorillapod which I never use lol. Have come a long way since that purchase. This was super helpful. Thank you!

[@brandedwithlea]

Oh man, I really need to dig into the Artificial light🤭♥️

[@netscapeinthewood3345]

Thanks, I always learn something from you 😍

[@lisajarema3241]

Excellent video! Thank you SO MUCH!! 💕

[@bikecommuter24]

LOL Gaff Tape and Clamps when I Assisted I have a tool belt with a pouch on it, I had a big roll of gaff tape, and several clamps clipped to my belt. "Must Have Gear" that's like crack to someone with G.A.S (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) l, it does matter if it is applicable to the kind of photography we do, we will watch it, then again you never know you might pick up a tip or learn something like how to fold a diffuser😀. Im still in GAS mode (I don't think there is a cure for it) just not camera gear, I got a new laptop I have been saving up for, and I got a deal on a new iPhone 12, when I upgraded to faster Internet they combined all my TV service and such it actually lowered my monthly bill. BTW I keep client files, the done files and the original raw files on a separate portable hard drive not connected to any computer or the internet just in case, those older disk drives are getting cheap I got a 4TB one on amazon and it was under $ 100.00 dollars and its a business expense. The one minor pain is sometimes you have to format them work with Apple computers.

[@tastebudexperiments136]

Keep guiding us

[@MsNawras1]

Great video!

[@TheBiteShot]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@alexanderbyks5981]

"...if you're getting into food photography, it may take over your house"! Last year, in one month I managed to make my half balcony look like an IKEA hallway🤣🤣 ! And all the "boards" were pieces of furnitures (closets and cabinets mostly), that people left by the trash bins near where I live...Someone even left some big wooden windows (I got one of course 😌)! I still thank them that they renovated their houses or they moved out, because I have all these backgrounds now to use😂

[@TheBiteShot]

hahahah!!! yesss!!! I totally relate

[@alexanderbyks5981]

@@TheBiteShot The last 3 days I'm watching all your videos, because I'm about to buy my first gear for home studio photography (food mostly) and you gave me plenty of ideas and confidence to go even more forward through your experiences and your knowledge! Thank you really for this 🥺🥳🫂🥺!

[@puneetbhola5104]

Great tips !❣️ love your content

[@TheBiteShot]

Thanks so much!!

[@socialmediainfo-um6hw]

It’s all about lighting in my opinion the rest is just creativity.

[@mareikewaidnerdesign6985]

First video out of the new studio! Applause, applause 🥳

[@TheBiteShot]

Woot woot! We're about 4 or 5 weeks out from it being fully completed. Will be sure to do a full tour then! :)

[@IanMcMillanIMP]

Looking forward to getting your book next month Joanie :-)

[@ShaynaKrause]

Good morning Joanie!

[@mariafernandamancheno825]

Thank you so much for this ☺️☺️

[@timcarrington5977]

Thanks for the info. It can be so overwhelming when starting out. #headspinning

[@jyotieekistner6106]

Thank you so much for this video :) very helpful and money-saving.

[@duanebitter8409]

Great info! As always. 👍

[@Robert-ko6wr]

GREAT video! If only newbies will listen, right? Your sage advice could save them enough money to buy a new lens or even a used DSLR to get started. Gorilla Pod - that little piece of wisdom was funny. I’ve looked at them for years and wondered whatever would I use that for at that price? I couldn’t answer my own question so that was a clue I didn’t need one. Ha! Thank you for this one!

[@TheSillyKitchenwithSylvia]

I love my 24-70mm I use it SO much!

[@lindamkhize1226]

Super helpful, thank you!!!

[@gagai786]

Great info thankyou

[@supertaufiqr]

Always valuable content!

[@Kamil-eb7wd]

Thank You! I'm at the moment I'm creating my first portfolio and using sotlftboxes made of cardboard, baking paper, cling film and deska lamp 😅

[@PhilKoenigBrooklyn]

Add Florist Frogs (to hold cards). Anbd now that you have a real studio, the biggest heaviest Camera stand you can find. I reccomend a 4" Saltzman stand if you can find one

[@JanSamayoa]

Great tips Joanie!❤ Can you maybe do a video on how to use that V flat card, I am specially interested in that gigantor one 😅

[@jasoncario7063]

Thanks for this!

[@audiophocus65]

Not even funny how close of a resemblance you are to Dolores O'Riordan from The Cranberries. Great content.

[@moamenali5051]

Yo! you are just sooooo sweet and professional 🙌

[@mamalivingabroadbyrachel5493]

Love your channel!! My photography improved a lot, I shoot in manual, I understand the basics, and use light room for editing. But how do I move the needle from here? What can I do to go from good pictures to great pictures? Thank you

[@anielawilliams2544]

Thank you so much for these tips!! Very helpful:) I’m trying to learn how to take better photos of my cakes, so I’ll definitely use these tips. Next on the list is recording and editing. What do you recommend for easy record and editing tool to use?

[@NameIsSakr]

Great Video, thanks for the info, would share more about the Laptop holder that you're using @7:34?

[@svaracena]

Hahaha I ended up selling my Gorillapod, but to be fair I bought it before I got into food photography. Great video Joanie!

[@silviam.6899]

Impatiently waiting for the tripod video then :). I would like to purchase one that is high enough and can be easily stored away as the C-stand would test the marriage further (big softbox already made its appareance) :D. Thank you for this very informative video :)

[@lauradamon5024]

Love you

[@bp-blackshark]

To get the photography gear is the easy part...to learn cooking is the hard part! I guess, i will be sticky with my Lego brick collection...i can put them together into everything i want, without to making a big mess in front of my camera, like i would with food. Ofcourse i am doing this for science...what else?

[@jansplate4101]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@TheBiteShot]

My pleasure!

[@c.augustin]

Best of all: This short message at 16:40 - I'm sure he'll appreciate it! (At this point I would have to throw the message at my wife - she's very supportive to my hobby, which gladly isn't food photography, but more "outside bound" ;-)). But overall - very good advice, even outside of food and product photography! (I would've put the macro lens earlier in the line-up, directly behind the kit zoom, but that's personal preference. ;-))

[@devangmalvankar4073]

I WANT THAT SKIN OMGGGGG

[@FstopPicturesByAlunDavies]

I have a godox studio box I wanna start doing food photography I have a tripod a d850. Some flashes and a 105 micro 2.8 lens

[@macaurzuahorn]

This is wonderful! :)

[@winterbrookfarm]

My laughing at all the things you mentioned buying that you did not need... me too on all of them haha!

[@michaelj3414]

There are worse ways my house can look than like a photography studio. C stand all the way!

[@deliciousandkosher1390]

Is there an excellent quality camera/s that you would recommend for both still food photography and regular cooking videos?