How to Start Vlogging: A Beginner’s Guide with Tips from Jake Sloan

Want to learn how to start vlogging but not sure where to begin? Whether you’re dreaming of becoming a travel vlogger, documenting your daily life, or building a personal brand on YouTube, getting started can feel overwhelming. From choosing the right camera gear to filming and editing your first video, there’s a lot to consider.

In this beginner’s guide, content creator and filmmaker Jake Sloan shares essential vlogging tips for beginners, covering everything from the best vlogging cameras and lenses to basic video storytelling techniques and editing advice. Jake breaks down the entire vlogging setup—camera, lenses, lighting, audio, and accessories—so you can start creating high-quality vlogs your audience will love.

Whether you’re using a smartphone or upgrading to a mirrorless camera with Tamron lenses, this guide will walk you through how to start vlogging the right way—step by step. Read on for gear recommendations, shooting techniques, and expert tips to help you launch your vlogging journey with confidence.

Videos and Tips by Jake Sloan

What You’ll Learn In This Post:

• How to start vlogging with the right beginner-friendly camera and lens setup
• Jake Sloan’s top gear recommendations for high-quality video and audio
• Tips for using lighting effectively—both natural and artificial—for better visuals
• A simple approach to vlogging structure using A-Roll, B-Roll, and storytelling techniques
• Step-by-step editing tips to turn your raw footage into a polished vlog

Watch Jake Sloan’s Complete Guide to Vlogging: From Gear to Final Edit

Below is a detailed summary of Jake Sloan’s insightful video that walks you through the entire content creation process—from planning to publishing. Don’t miss the full video for all of his expert vlogging tips.

Gear Recommendations

Camera and Lenses

While you can record a great video with any late model phone today, Jake Sloan suggests upgrading to a camera. Jake uses the Sony A74, A7C and the ZV E10. These cameras perform better in low light, will provide you with more audio options, and provide more types of lens options.

When it comes to lenses Jake suggests picking a lens that does a couple of things: Choose something with a versatile focal range, such as:

• 17-28mm F/2.8 Di III RXD (Model A046)
• 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A062)
• 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD (Model A071)
• 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Model B070)
• 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Model B060)

Make sure the lens is wide enough so you can hold it and talk to it, but also long enough to not feel super far away from your subject. Lastly, Jake says you will need a lens that has an aperture of at least 2.8 or lower for low light situations.

Audio

Achieving great audio is crucial for your audience to enjoy your blog. Jake suggests adding an external microphone to vastly improve audio quality. Most microphones cost under $100 such as the Road, Sennheiser, & Deity.

Lighting

When filming outside, Jake says that it is important to make sure that the sun is not shining directly in your face, it is better to have it off to the side or slightly off to the back. For indoor lighting, Jake says having an external light like the Aperture MC will help fill the shadows in your face. Another option is to utilize a window for natural lighting so that you can look your best!

Tripods

Tripods will help to hold the camera more stable especially when hand holding. This also gives you the option to put the camera down and help you capture your vlog from different angles.

Here are Some of Jake’s Tips for How to Start Vlogging:

TIP 1: Timeline

The best vlogs tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning usually starts with the character that wants something. Then the middle is where you have a conflict that the character must overcome. Finally, the end is the conclusion or resolution to the conflict.

TIP 2: Different Shots

Vlogging is a great way to demonstrate different perspectives to a story. When filming there are two types of shots: A-Roll is the character holding the camera and telling the story. B-Roll is the fast-moving scenes of what you may be talking about. Jake says that having a good mix of both is important to keep your viewer’s interest.

TIP 3: Editing

Jake uses Apple iMovie to organize all his footage. First, he suggests separating the A-Roll and the B-Roll footage by placing all the A-Roll in a timeline and then editing out all the parts that aren’t needed to tell the story. Then go over the timeline to add in the B-Roll to help support the story- this is also a good time to add in music. Then it’s time to export!

Ready to Start Vlogging? Put These Beginner Tips into Action

Starting your vlogging journey doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right camera gear, thoughtful storytelling, and a few production basics, you’ll be well on your way to creating content your audience will love. By following Jake Sloan’s beginner-friendly tips—from selecting a vlogging camera and lens to editing your final video—you’ll gain the confidence and knowledge to start vlogging successfully. Whether you’re filming for YouTube, social media, or a personal project, consistency and creativity are key. Now that you know how to start vlogging, it’s time to hit record and share your story with the world.

Learn more about the lenses Jake recommends for vlogging at an authorized Tamron dealer in your area or visit the TAMRON Store today.