On Location Setup for Corporate Headshots | Ask David Bergman

Today's question from Jeff W. is, "When shooting corporate headshots on location, what would be your minimum setup to get the best results?"

00:00 Intro
00:36 Know your client's requirements
01:58 Photo gear for headshots
05:49 Five lights Headshot
07:00 Four lights Headshot
09:02 Three lights Headshot
10:35 Two lights Headshot
12:10 One light Headshot

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✘ PRODUCTS USED:

Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens

Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Black Aluminum Tripod with MVH502AH Pro Video Head

Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT Shoe Mount Flash

PocketWizard Plus IIIe Auto-Sensing Transceiver

PocketWizard Plus IV Transceiver

Glow EZ Lock Octa Quick XL Softbox With Bowens Mount (48")

Glow Series III 24 x 36" Softbox

Westcott Eyelighter 3

Glow ArcLight II Curved Reflector Kit

Savage Widetone Seamless Background Paper 53" x 36', Studio Gray

✘ PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT USED:

Canon R3 Mirrorless Camera Body

Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens

Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens

Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with MH496 Ball Head & 200PL-PRO Quick Release Plate

Prograde Digital 512GB CFexpress 2-Pack

Prograde Digital 512GB SDXC UHS-II V90 Memory Card

All Prograde cards and readers

#onelight #studiophotography #adorama

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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[ziad.mp]

man not gonna lie the single light was honestly my favorite look, just feels more authentic/natural

[mattorrz]

I think a lot of corporates would totally accept that single light image if you didn’t show them the other options.
Great demo as usual David 👌

[janvanheerden]

I think the 1 light headshot was the best

[peterguman]

One key light, a backdrop light, and a reflector. Thanks for the video!

[brad_in_yyc]

When I shoot headshots I usually use one key light with a curved reflector underneath and sometime a rim light or two. Great video David. I might incorporate a hair light soon.

[KevinRusso]

I love the one-light headshot. I use it a lot, whenever I can. I show my clients those images to see if they like the look. Many times for corporate images I need 2 or 3 lights, 1 main 1, fill, 1and, 1 background, for 2 lights I use a Main and fill and let the main partially light the background.

[LongTimeTTFan]

The one-light shot produces a more flattering image, I think.
The catch light is much more noticeable in the last shot as well.

[rolvmariusfaleide]

I really loved your single light setup without the grid. It is how I have done pictures for the company I worked for (not as a photog.). It's the way I've done it too, with a single umbrella in reflecting mode, in front of a projection screen, and a large reflector. It's the easiest way to get the same result from many locations. I find I needed two setups, and I've used a lounge table (high) as fill light. Because of reflection in glasses, or reflection off bald heads. For women with hair on their heads, I keep the reflector on the table in front of them and the umbrella above. I also like the look of a large umbrella quite close to the subject in front of them, and step back quite a bit to make the shot, but that does not work if they're wearing glasses. So then the rest I use your same setup, with an almost rembrandt and reflector to fill on its own stand.

[jgates]

Thank you, David! I've wondered what it really looked like to use different numbers of lights and here is my answer. Much appreciated!

[MrDonNelson]

In the last shot I bet without the egg crate, and if you had the hair light it would give just a bit more pop and be acceptable. Lighting is an art in itself.

[Kaveri-Jagriti]

Great tips Dave! The clients will be blown away with just a flash and backdrop. Keep it simple!

[wendystumbaugh]

Fantastic question and video! I use 4 lights: a 600w key in a 36”RapidBox, 200w fill in a gridded 1’x3’, 200w rim in a gridded 1’x3’ and speedlight with a magsphere backdrop vignette. I love the results!!!

[darklighthouse]

David - thanks for the video. It is a good summary!! When I do headshots, I use a key light, a hair light, and usually a background light or two.. Max of four lights, with all speed lights except for the key light, which is usually a softbox.. For fill, I use a silver reflector - which one depends on the setup.

[RickMahoney]

A friend of mine did corporate head shots with a Nikon D 40x and a SB-600 with a little photo shop and made very good money doing it.

[karlweb]

Nice to see someone using the orlit

They were my go to before my profoto.

[robertatwell]

For many years I used a 7ft Octadome as main, a background light if necessary, a reflector for fill, and a hair light usually a snoot or small softbox with grid. For couples I'd add a 6x4 foot softbox for fill to replace the reflector.

[vernon_]

A good tutorial on portrait lighting. Reflectors can be a helpful lighting tool for the task.

[rogermanning]

Really a good primer on how you can different looks with very small changes. As for me I generally use three lights . . . Rembrandt key, kicker, and background. Sometimes I switch up to a clamshell with reflector, kicker, and background. Someday I may go all Peter Hurley and try his triangle setup with constant lights. Cheers!

[gregarious_one]

Really helpful going in reverse! Thanks!

[godbelow]

So don't waste time dragging tons of lighting around with you, a large single octabox does the trick perfectly.