I recently got some new gorgeous gear the past few weeks. There’s one problem though… the footage I captured looks slightly awful.

But Chris… if I had the right gear my footage would look awesome???

(We don’t say this out loud, but what do our actions say?)

A few weeks ago I was prepping for a passion project. I wanted to get some stable tracking shots of a priest in a church. So I purchased a DJI Ronin and also grabbed a Astra 6X for the shoot.

UPS finally delivered them to my door – and I was beyond stoked to rip open the boxes and start playing with my new toys. The ronin is an amazing tool and the Astra 6x is amazing.

The shoot day finally came – I loaded up my gear and met some friends at the location. Right when we got there, I began setting up the Astra and a bounce board. I also got the Ronin out and balanced.

We started filming – and things started to turn south.

Here’s the problem I had. I felt that I HAD to use my Astra. Rather than going in the room and scoping out the natural light – I was convinced I NEEDED to use my new toy. I didn’t take time to evaluate the circumstances.

My Astra and Ronin weren’t serving me as a filmmaker. Suddenly, because they were so new and shiny – they owned me. And my shots seriously suffered.

So here’s a small nugget. You’re gear doesn’t own you. You own it. Remember that.

Just because you have the equipment doesn’t mean you HAVE to use it. Take time and think, ‘will this help the story… will this give me the look I want.’

The talent is in YOU not your gear. Have confidence in yourself. You can create amazing stories in your sleep (aka dreams). Put trust in yourself, not your gear!

To sum it up. Own the gear. Don’t let it own you.

Check out the weekly videos I’m putting out here.

PS – Pick up your camera this week and make something! 🙂