Today’s question from Jeff W. is, “When shooting corporate headshots on location, what would be your minimum setup to get the best results?”
Go to to submit your own photo question, see David’s gear list, and view the episode archive.
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
ORLIT RoveLight RT 610 TTL Monolight
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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Comments
21 responses to “How Many Lights for Corporate Headshots? | Ask David Bergman”
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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!
Awesome as always. Thanks David.
Great video! Thank u!
I always bring 3. I can do 1 but would choose my diffuser specifically depending on the type of shot. Those who like minimal shadows would get my large parabolic umbrella or for some contrast my parabolic softbox. When shooting non mobile I use 4 lights and a reflector.
What kind of flash are you using and what Canon is that.
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.
i read "one light headshot" and thought "i dont care how light it is, a headshot is fatal" then i realised what you meant
The one-light shot produces a more flattering image, I think.
The catch light is much more noticeable in the last shot as well.
If I can: 1 light + reflector. Plus, if needed, gear for hair, kicker and background light.
I use 2 usually… AD600Pro in Westcott 36" Octa as key and AD200 in a Glow HexaPop 24" as a secondary. Sometimes add the reflector below for fill. Quick and easy for remote work.
One light with a reflector and one for hairlight
Wonderfully done. Thanks for sharing David😍❤
Excellent service
I think the 1 light headshot was the best
So don't waste time dragging tons of lighting around with you, a large single octabox does the trick perfectly.
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.
informative 16mins on Headshots.
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!!!
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.
what are your feelings on using constant lighting as apposed to strobes? I am just starting out and have some Godox constant lights for video