09/29/2025
đ„ The biggest lie youâve probably been told about videography is that you need a big camera to be successful.
But as the single owner of a small woman-owned videography business, I use a really light camera body while shooting. I shoot with a Sony FX3, a Netflix-approved cinema grade camera. It's the same sensors as the larger body cameras with a lot less mass. I also shoot with prime lenses, which tend to be lightweight.
Here are four reasons why I like my FX3, and why resisting the pressure to have an ostentatious rig has helped me.
1. My camera setup can scale up and down.
I can go from rigged up with a cage or on a tripod, to going around handheld when in a tight situation. I film weddings, events, behind the scenes, conferences, you name it, and there are times that being attached to a tripod limits your ability to be in the right place at the right time.
2. It works for my body as a filmmaker.
I have chronic back pain and fatigue. Shoot days are really taxing on my body, so reducing how heavy my camera is keeps me safer in both the short and long term. If you have any health issues or chronic pain, lighter cameras will definitely help you out more!
3. It gives me great options for stabilization.
Stabilizing a small camera is honestly much easier and cheaper than a large camera. I use a Zhiyun crane for my stability and prime lenses, which are light enough to use on an electronic gimbal.
4. It puts my clients more at ease.
I've heard talk from different videographers in Boston who intentionally "rig out" (or attach things to their camera body) to make their clients impressed by how big their setup is. At a networking meeting, a filmmaker told me that he tries to bring in the biggest setup he can just to intimidate his clients. But nervous clients make for bad content and bad experiences, which goes against my philosophy as a videographer and a business owner.
Everyone has a different style, and leaning into yours as a filmmaker will give you a distinct voice. Be weird. Be you! Thatâs how youâll really find success.
Videographer in Boston, small videography business, woman owned videography business, boston videographer, videography tips, videography advice, videography hacks, videography equipment, small business boston