31 Days Blog to Biz / day 11 - what equipment should YOU get?

I recently ran into trouble with a photoshoot. I've been needing a macro lens forever and decided to bite the bullet and get what was needed to do the job.

I tend to do that. I need things but wait till the 11th hour because #1 they're expensive and #2 I wait for my blog to pay for my blog things.

Once I was there, I realized I needed a few more things on my long overdue list as well. I gulped hard, picked it all out and came home with a bagful. And yes, my blog paid for it all. :)

While you don't need ALL these things for a blog business, here's a run down on the things I now have in my arsenal.

Digital recorder - $60ish - London Drugs, Chilliwack

I'm planning to do an interview for FOLK magazine that entails me either developing a speed writing technique overnight or record the whole thing. I chose this.

Diffuser flash - $400ish - London Drugs, Chilliwack (BC Canada)

After 3 photoshoots gone bad for an overdue article, I knew I had to try and end the deep dark cave dilemma of shooting indoor photos in rain country.  So I picked up this diffuser flash to try. You can bounce the light off the ceiling.

Don't even ask me what those colored lenses do yet. I've yet to read the booklet.  Or try the flash! :)

iPhone - mall store - free with a 2 year plan (valued at $600!)


This guy has gotten me out of lots of pinches. I'll retrieve email, check the blog, and have gone to publish posts when my internet was down, all while on the road. I've even shopped for clients and have sent them a picture of the item before I purchased. The screen is amazing and so are all the helpful apps you can get.  If you're upgrading your cell, consider an iPhone. The screens are AMAZING.

Nikon D3100 - $1000 is with body and 2 standard lenses - London Drugs, Chilliwack


You don't have to have an SLR, but you do need at least a decent point and shoot. Get what's affordable, just don't choose bottom of the barrel this round. One with settings including macro is a must.

I'm very happy with my camera choice. I went to the store with full intent on bringing home a Canon, however soon learned you need to 'feel' it. This one fit me like a glove and I knew within seconds of holding it that it was coming home with me.

iMac 27" - $1500 and up - Mac Station, Abbotsford

If' you're still using an itty bitty computer that's as old as the hills, I beg you to upgrade as soon as you possibly can. You can get a new laptop for $500 these days! But I do suggest to get the biggest monitor you can spring for.. it'll change the way you blog and work with photos. I prefer to do my blogging on a stay put computer vs. a laptop myself.

I LOVE my 27" iMac with my whole heart and soul! :) The 21" is VERY nice too and a bit cheaper. But I still vote for the 27.

Please compare a mac screen to a pc if you work with photos. I was a PC girl until I did the comparison. You can read my pc vs mac review linked to the bottom of this post.

Nikon Micro Lens SB-700 - $350ish - London Drugs, Chilliwack

I was badly in need of a macro lens. I was having to revert back to my point and shoot for closeups and felt that I shouldn't 'have' to be doing that with that fancy schmancy SLR I now have.

Point and shoots don't need this fancy option but SLRs do. What's nice about this lens is it's a fixed one (you can't zoom) that will shoot to 40mm (vignette shooting) as well.

Tip - this is actually a micro lens, not a macro. It supposedly zooms to resemble microscope close.

TechPro tripod, TP 242B62 - $100ish - London Drugs, Chilliwack


I've been without a tripod for some time after mine broke. But after running into issues with indoor blur, I knew I had to smarten up and get with the program. A stationary camera is the ONLY way to take blur-less photos. Just do it.

Especially if you have a point and shoot.  Their lenses aren't lenient to movement at all, especially in macro mode. 


This particular tripod performs neat tricks. It will allow you to lower the legs to nearly ground level for low shots. You can also remove and replace the middle post upside down for amazing ground level closeups. I really liked the feel of the clips and the way the components seemed to turn with air cushiness.


Go play with tripods and you'll soon know the one you can't live without. My dream tripod is a magnetic one (not sold in Canada) but this was the next best thing in a hurry and came highly recommended by another camera buff. And wasn't even that expensive!

13" macbook pro - $1199 and up - Mac Station, Abbotsford


I wanted something for on the road and when we went travelling but denied myself. It wasn't until my son needed a laptop that I bit the bullet and got this little thing. In hindsight, I wish I went for the bigger screen, (I was too cheap!) but this does travel extremely well.

You can get a decent PC laptop for as low as $500 these days so there's really no reason to suffer as long as I did with 2nd hand junk.

I shop local 


I choose to shop local for these kinds of things. I can hold what I like, view the selection avail and be near a place that also troubleshoots for me if need be.

I won't apologize for having these nice things because I've worked hard to earn each one. And I'm more committed than ever to work them hard to pay ME back one day soon. :)

If you wanna turn pro, gear up right.

What's on your wish list for equipment? 

Bad computers go bye bye in 2 weeks

My pc to mac review

Our new mac toy

All 31 Day posts to date can be found HERE.

Day 1 - intro

Day 2 - money isn't first

Day 3 - take time to RESET

Day 4 - submitting work for magazines and websites

Day 5 - my top 5 photo tips

Day 6 - my big announcement (offer something)

Day 7 - all about sidebar sponsors
Day 8 - how I do it all
Day 9 - be original

Day 10 - an unexpected lesson (ask for advice)

Day 11 - what equipment should YOU get? - this entry