Why Use Flash for Outdoor Portraits?

A nice couple was walking by as I set up my lights for a photo shoot on Daniel Island. Curious, they asked “why are you using flash for outdoor photos?” I thought that was a great question!

Commonwealth Financial is a longtime client. Several times a year, they have me come out to photograph headshots of new advisors that have joined their team. Heather is always so good about organizing everyone’s schedules and coordinating these photo shoots. She had arranged for me to come out for some updates this week.

We always schedule their headshots in the morning, when the side of their building is in open shade. That way, the light is consistent each time I go out, and nobody is squinting in the sunlight. The even shade also gives me a blank canvas to work with. It creates the ambient light that illuminates the side of the building that we always use as the backdrop, plus provides a nice fill light to the faces. Yes, I could just shoot these headshots with natural light. The light would be nice and soft. But it would also be flat, lacking punch and directionality. Plus it would be inconsistent from shoot to shoot…on overcast days it would be extra flat with a cool color tone…on sunny days it would be warmer and more contrasty. For these reasons, I always blend in some lighting from off-camera flash.

For the main light (to the subject’s right), I set up a Manfrotto lightstand, with 3 SB-5000 flashes on a bracket, firing into an Westcott Apollo 50″ softbox. Since this is a very large light source, susceptible to wind, the stand is held in place by 4 10-lb BoaBags. On the opposite side, firing from behind the subject’s left shoulder, I place another Manfrotto lightstand. This one has a single SB-5000 flash, firing into a Westcott Apollo Strip softbox, and is held down by a single 10-lb BoaBag. This light provides a “kicker” that highlights the hair, provides a little fill on the cheek, gives a little edging to the shoulders, and helps separate the subject from the background. I shoot these portraits using my Nikon Z9 with the Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8 lens on a Manfrotto tripod.

In the first photo, you can see the results without flash, which I shoot to get a “base” exposure. There’s nothing wrong with it. The light just doesn’t sculpt the face and provide the punch I like in a headshots! The subsequent shots show the final results with the off-camera flashes. I hope this helps answer the question of why I use flash for outdoor portraits!

First Headshots with New Nikon Z9

The Nikon D5 has been my go-to camera for headshots and corporate assignments for many years! The files from that camera have just been so clean and noise-free that I thought it would be impossible to beat.

Now that I’ve had some time to test out the Z9, I am REALLY impressed. The images are even sharper. The eye-detect auto-focus system adds a whole new level of accuracy.  And the higher resolution sensor captures even MORE detail. Nikon’s new flagship camera has definitely earned it’s place in my bag!!!

(Nikon Z9, Nikkor 70-200 f2.8VRII + FTZII, Manfrotto stands, Flashpoint trigger, 4 Flashpoint flashes, Westcott Apollo 50″ softbox, Westcott Apollo strip box, BoaBags sand bags.)

Marketing Photos for Commonwealth Financial Group

I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Brit and his AMAZING team at Commonwealth Financial for several years. If you need a financial planner, I highly recommend checking them out at www.commonwealthfg.com.

Last week I got to photograph 3 new members to this talented group of advisors. We had a great time, in spite of the chilly temperatures and gusty winds! Many thanks to Heather for helping coordinate everyone’s schedules!!! 🙂

Headshots for CTA

Last week I had the pleasure of photographing the newest team member at Corporate Tax Advisors. CONGRATULATIONS to Liz!  The really cool part is, Liz is a friend of mine. I’ve known her for many years! In fact, she was instrumental in getting me in the door at several of the previous firms she worked for!!!

We met up on Daniel Island when she had a break between meetings. It was chilly and windy…but the sun was out and the lighting was gorgeous! So we decided to go for it. I’m so glad we did. It was so much fun catching up with Liz and capturing these beautiful images for her new firm to use in their marketing material.

All shots were made on the Nikon D5 with the Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 VR. I used an SB-5000 Speedlight off-camera to create a little rim light in some cases, or a little fill light in others. The flash was placed on a Manfrotto light stand, shooting through a 24″ EZY Box softbox.

Many thanks to Liz for bringing me in on another great photo shoot!!!

Headshots for Commonwealth Financial

I’ve enjoyed working with Britt and the his fantastic team at Commonwealth Financial for many years. This morning I had so much fun visiting them and photographing some updated headshots of the newest team members. Many thanks to Heather for coordinating everyone’s schedule for the photo shoot!

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Headshots for Commonwealth Financial Group

As Commonwealth Financial Group continues to grown and expand, it’s always a pleasure returning each year to photograph headshots for new team members and updates for existing ones!

This morning I had some beautiful soft light to work with. So I set up outside their office to use the nice leading lines of the building as the backdrop. I used Nikon SB-5000 speedlights, shooting through Westcott Apollo soft-boxes, mounted on Manfrotto light-stands. All images were shot with the Nikon D5 and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8.

As you can tell, we had fun goofing off in between the “official photos”.  🙂  CONGRATULATIONS to Samantha, Heather, James, and Billy!

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Steve Ward

Yesterday I had a real treat, catching up with my old tennis friend Steve Ward, and photographing some new marketing photos for his thriving wealth management firm, Aletheia Financial.

If you need a financial planner who TRULY cares about his clients, give Steve a call at 843-224-1802!!!

Alex’s New Headshot

Alex used to work in TV. But her life has taken a different path! She is the newest attorney to join the incredible team at the Clawson & Staubes Law Firm. It was a pleasure meeting Alex and photographing her new headshots. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

New Attorney at Clawson & Staubes

Today found me capturing headshots for this amazing young lady on Daniel Island in the warm glow of mid-day light!!!

Alicia is the newest attorney to join the team of Clawson & Staubes. Alicia, her husband, and their adorable 7-month old daughter moved to Charleston last month. So far they love it here! 🙂

The image was captured on a Nikon D5 with the incredible Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 lens. A Manfrotto 055CXPro4 served as support for the camera. And a Manfrotto 367B light stand held an SB-5000 Speedlight, firing through a 24″ Lastolite EZY Box. This off-camera flash setup served as a directional main light, as well as providing a nice catch light. The open shade of the picturesque location I had chosen for the shoot served as a nice ambient fill light.

Welcome to an awesome team, Alicia!!!

Headshots for Clawson & Staubes

This morning I had the pleasure of photographing the latest member of the Clawson & Staubes team of attorneys. Tom was a great guy, and a pleasure to work with!

Attorney Head-shots for Clawson & Staubes

It was a pleasure meeting and photographing Michael and Ashley this morning. Michael is from Charlotte. Ashley is from New York. Michael has recently joined the amazing team of attorneys at Clawson and Staubes. Although he loves Charleston, he’ll be working out of their Charlotte office…at least until the call of the ocean is too strong to resist! 😉 Ashley has been in town for many years. She’s worked her way up through the ranks to reach her goal of being an attorney at Clawson & Staubes. She’s recently engaged, and planning her beautiful destination wedding in Turks & Caicos!

We had a fantastic time during their photo shoot! I chose the Nikon D5 and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 VRII for this assignment. The natural light was augmented with a single Nikon SB-5000 off-camera flash, mounted on a Manfrotto light-stand, shooting through a 24″ softbox.

CONGRATULATIONS to Michael and Ashley on achieving their dreams!!!

Iron Gate Realty

Over the many years that I’ve been a photographer in Charleston, there are a handful of clients who have been with us since the beginning. I’ve known them and worked with them for so long that I think of them more as friends than as clients. Renee is just such a friend!

Last week I met up with Renee on Daniel Island to photograph some updated headshots and marketing photos for her company, Iron Gate Realty. Like me, her career has evolved and grown. It was quite interesting as we discussed the amazing similarities between our chosen professions. I’m so very proud of Renee for all she has accomplished, while staying true to herself, and truly finding joy in serving her clients the way that only she knows how to do.  I highly recommend contacting her if you’re looking for an outstanding real-estate agent to work with!

Congratulations on your Charleston Realtor of Distinction award, Renee!!!