Headshot Photography : adapting the lighting setup
With headshot photography in the studio, there are several setups such that consistently give great, repeatable results. One such lighting setup is Clamshell Lighting, for example. The results are always solid. Just looks great. In this link with articles on headshot photography, you can read up about some of these lighting setups. While I alway enjoy working with clients to give them outstanding headshots and business portraits, it is an extra bit of fun when I meet a client who wants something extra. Something a little different perhaps.
Megan needed new headshots, and wanted headshots that looked a little dramatic, yet “soft”. We came up with a variety of images, of which the photo shown here is one example.
Here is how I changed up the lighting to get to this result, which is subtly different:
The lighting gear used, and setup of the lights
The main light is a Profoto D1 with a 3′ RFi Softbox Octa. It is set up on a Matthews Low Boy Junior light-stand (B&H). The flash itself is attached to the light-stand with a Cambo RD-1101 Redwing Compact Boom Arm (B&H), with helps angle the light better.
I really do love that the lights in my studio are on roller wheels. I don’t have to pick up a C-stand and move it around. I just roll the lights in position.
Then fill-light coming from behind me would be the Profoto 5-ft RFi Octa Softbox (B&H / Amazon), with a Profoto D2 flash 500Ws (B&H / Amazon). In the BTS photo, you can see the edge of it filling the top right-hand corner of the frame. For the main photo, I stood in front of this light.
You can also see the computer screen on the standing table. I always shoot tethered to the computer. This is, in my opinion, essential when working with a client in the studio.
Then there are two background lights, angled towards Megan – Profoto 2×3 RFi softbox (B&H / Amazon) with a Profoto D1 flash each. These lights gave a combination of hair-light / rim-light. The light spilling from this also gently lit the backdrop. btw – no gels on the rim-lights. That warm tint to her hair is her hair color when lit like that.
Camera settings and camera gear used for this sequence of photos
- 1/250 @ f/4 @ 100 ISO
Shooting with the 70-200, I was able to compress the perspective, so that at f/4 the backdrop was in interesting out-of-focus accent behind her.
Related articles
- Studio portraits – different setups for different looks
- Clam-shell lighting for headshots and portraits
- Dramatic portrait & headshot lighting in the studio
- Creating dramatic studio lighting with Profoto A2 flashes
- Headshot photographer NJ
An interesting choice using those flower backgrounds in the headshot. Is it something related to their business or something you just have available to all clients?
I had just bought the backdrop and was itching to use it. This might not be a proper use for the backdrop, but I like the subtle splash of color it lent to this headshot.