Strobe Flash Photography for Headshots
Let’s explore the world of flash photography for headshots.
Flash photography uses strobe lights known as heads to pop light through a modifier, in our case umbrella used in the photo above, to create a light source for the photographer’s subject, in our case, the lighting we use for our client’s headshots.
In this post we will explore:
- the difference between natural light and strobe flash headshots
- show a headshot gallery of this technique
- show some behind the scene looks at our setups
What are the two lighting techniques for headshots?
First, let’s learn about our two types of lighting styles we offer our clients.
Two Types of Lighting
We offer out clients natural light and strobe flash headshot photography services. Natural light is use mostly in our studio and at outdoor locations while the strobe flash headshots are most commonly used on-site at a client’s office or private space.
What is natural light headshots? The natural lighting techniques we use at our studio use manipulation of sunlight through clouds, white curtains or how it enters the studio. This diffused light fills the large south facing windows and creates a unique effect strobe photograph cannot make.
What is the strobe flash technique? Strobe flash photography is a classic technique that has been used in studios for decades using artificial light. It is very directional which limits the area in which the subject can move around. However, this setup can be great for single image headshot packages, team headshots or matching existing headshots.
In the example above our staff photographer Jodhi is photographed in the studio. On the left he is lit by the natural light from our studio’s large south facing windows. On the right image he is lit by a strobe flash head with a 7ft modifier.
Behind the Scene Look at our Lighting Setups
View our client examples on-site and at the studio using strobe flash photography for their headshots!
On-site Setup for Client PEC
For PEC’s new company headshots we photographed on site with a single light strobe set up as the main source of light in addition to the natural light fill supplied from the outdoor setting through the windows. We used the client’s headquarters and office space as the two locations for the team headshots.
On-site Setup for Client WPI
We created new headshots for the leadership team of WPI’s Eugene office using a two light set up. We photographed on-site at the client’s office during work hours to provide accessibility and ease for each team member.
To match the headshots we made for the WPI Builds at their Portland office we used the same lighting set up and a neutral gray or white background on-site at their Eugene office.
We used a conference room wall to make these headshots and the same two light set up we used in the Portland office. The light source was a 3 ft octabank modifier on a Profoto B10 strobe head, our second Profoto B10 strobe head was used to light the background. We had the same modifier bounce cards in the same place to match the headshots we already made. Once the client made the selections we mad the background colors all match.
Studio Setup for Client Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center
We updated the headshots for the Leadership Team and new hires for the Virgina Garcia Memorial Health Center in studio to provide a consistant type of setting. We used artificial strobe lighting to match previously done headshots!
Studio Strobe Flash Setup for our Client DHM Research
Behind the scenes to our light set up at our studio located in northwest Portland, Oregon.
Our client’s used strobe flash to match existing headshots for the company.
On-site Strobe Flash Setup for our Client Author Loren
We photographed Loren in his library of collected books on-site at his home. We used a 2 light set up, one 7 foot umbrella as the main light source and a single light in the back of the long library hall with a 3 foot umbrella.
