My Blogging Tech Essentials
The tech gadgets I use on a day-to-day basis.
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1. LAPTOP
Probably the most obvious, but you should definitely invest in a decent laptop. It is on my computers that I do almost everything from planning posts, writing emails, editing photos, bookkeeping and so much more. I've been on the Apple bandwagon since I started university and swear by my 13" MacBook Pro and 27" iMac. Of course, if I had to choose between the two, it is the laptop I would choose as it means I can work from anywhere, especially when I'm travelling. The iMac is definitely a luxury - to be able to edit photos on such a huge screen is truly amazing, though not a necessity by any means.
2. ADOBE PHOTOSHOP
Where would we be without Photoshop? I always use Photoshop to edit my photos; make them brighter, warmer, sharper. I would highly recommend purchasing the Adobe Creative Suite, which includes Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. I'm actually a member of the Adobe Creative Cloud, which gives me access to each and every Adobe program for a monthly fee (way more affordable than purchasing them individually).
If you do decide on an Apple product, be sure to download Microsoft Office for Mac too.
3. PORTABLE USB DRIVE
I couldn't tell you how many thousands of photo and video files I have stored away on my WD Element 2TB Portable Hard Drive. I have taken a ridiculous amount of photos over the years for Lion in the Wild and I get emails weekly from PRs, designers and brands requesting the high resolution photos I may have featured once upon a time, to share on their own social media channels or publications. I always make sure I save a high resolution file from each photo I edit before I downsize them for the blog, and boy-oh-boy does this take up a lot of room, so I use Time Machine to regularly back them up on my Hard Drive.
4. IPHONE
Instagram. Need I say more? Heh-heh-heh. Seriously though, I almost purely use my iPhone 5 for Lion in the Wild; whether it's to edit on-the-go snaps and publish them on Instagram, share my thoughts on Twitter, check and reply to urgent emails, and lots more. Since I've used my iPhone 5 to dead (almost!), I think it's time to upgrade to the iPhone 6. Or perhaps I should wait for the next one to come out?
5. PORTABLE PHONE CHARGER
I mentioned that I've used my iPhone like crazy, so much so that I have to charge it constantly throughout the day now, which is fine when I'm at home, and not so much when I'm out and about. Thankfully my car has USB ports (still such a novelty!), but I also have a portable USB phone charger that I carry in my handbag just incase. My charger has saved me on a number of occasions, including while I'm travelling (and getting happy snappy) and at Fashion Week.
6. CAMERA
Photography is such an important element in blogging, if not the most, so investing in a decent camera is one of the best things you could do. Brad and I currently snap away with the Canon EOS 600D DSLR (I use this to record all my videos too, along with a tripod and soft box lighting) with either the standard lens or a 50mm lens, but have our eyes on the Canon 5D Mark III DSLR with an 80mm lens. Of course, nowadays you don't have to spend thousands for a good camera; there are some really amazing digital cameras that take a great snap and are super convenient as well. We also have a waterproof Lumix camera that I'm going to start using for vlogging for our YouTube channel, but is also great for the times I don't want to carry my DSLR.
Do you have anything to add to the list? I'd love to know what your favourite tech bits and pieces are for your blog!
