Want to know which lighting setup helps me land the biggest clients and make the most money? In this video, I will show you how a simple, yet well-planned lighting arrangement elevates my photos (and profits) by offering options without adding extra overhead.
The key to *commercial photography* isn’t necessarily a complex setup but rather understanding your client’s needs and being adaptable. With this setup, I captured three different shots using one, three, and four lights. This lighting setup delivers a broad, soft light that not only flatters the skin but also evenly illuminates groups of people – making it extremely versatile – and my typical go-to.
One Light:
Use an 8×8 foot Westcott Scrim Jim, a large diffusion panel that softens the light source.
Light the scrim with a bare-bulb strobe (a light with no modifier) from one side. This hits the scrim, spreads out, and creates a broad, soft light source. This setup is perfect for evenly lighting a subject or group, from head to toe.
Three Lights:
Add two more strobes on either side of the background. These should have small white umbrellas attached to bounce the light back onto the background, illuminating it evenly.
Four Lights:
Add a fourth light – a strip softbox – underneath and in front of the subject to fill in the shadows. This creates a ‘fill light’ effect, reducing the appearance of wrinkles or folds in clothing by lightening the shadows underneath.
Remember, the number of lights and the arrangement depends on the specific needs of the shoot and the desired effects. But for me, this is the lighting setup that has consistently boosted my income and landed me more clients.
I’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible with lighting setups here. Learn more lighting techniques and setups specific for your ideal client in my class ‘Money Making Photography Setups: https://learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com/product/money-making-photography-setups/
0:00 — Intro
1:00 – My Most Money-Making Setup
1:33 – Scrim Jim & Light #1 Positioning
3:16 – Shooting With One Light Source
4:11 – Lighting the Background – Light #2 & Light #3
5:35 – Shooting With Background Lights
6:18 – Adding Fill Light – Light #4
7:07 – Shooting With Fill Light
8:40 – Wrap Up
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✘ PRODUCTS USED:
Westcott Scrim Jim (8×8 foot):
https://adorama.rfvk.net/KNZ5a
Profoto D2 Strobes:
https://adorama.rfvk.net/qvB7y
Profoto Small White Umbrellas “33:
https://adorama.rfvk.net/dvR1j
Profoto Strip Soft Box 1×4:
https://adorama.rfvk.net/4AdQn
Canon R5 Camera:
https://adorama.rfvk.net/JxzdE
Canon RF 24-105 Lens:
https://adorama.rfvk.net/q74XY
Savage Universal Bone Background:
https://adorama.rfvk.net/daOaq2
#lightingsetup #commercialphotography #adorama
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Video: Samuel Bouret @samuelbouret
Model: Andrea Carrazco
https://www.instagram.com/andrea.carrazco/
Check out a Similar Video:
Money Making Lighting Setups: Photographing Men
https://youtu.be/x_ftx1nnyBs
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
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Dang.. love that lighting setup!! Sadly… my studio is tiiiiny.. i have a 7ft umbrella i love.. and i can barely use it sideways for my shoots..
Listen !..The Queen speaks ..that means you LISTEN and YOU hold your tongue !
Grandes clases
In the world of photographers there is so much secrecy and competition that Lindsey's work is a true inspiration. A true professional should not be afraid to share his knowledge if he is confident in his ability. I am an absolute fan
Good nuggets 👍
Oh wow, great light by light video Lindsay Adler, can't decide which set is better! And thanks to ADORAMA for having great tutorial videos like these on their channel.
😊
Thank you for this, oh goddess of light
Love this
Awesome tutorial! Awesome tips! Thank you Lindsay and all the great guys at Adorama!
I have learned so much from Lindsay's videos, I'll be eternally grateful for all the knowledge shared!!!!
I always learn something from her classes. Awesome instructor.
Fantastic info. Thank you. Saving your class link for when I am ready to use strobes.
while i am more than competent to shoot something like this, getting work has been the bane of my existence. i mostly do PJ/Sports for a very small web based news site and a local semi-pro hockey team, ive offered the local historical museum FREE HEADSHOTS to bring their presence up to current year (probably last done pre-pandemic, if even then) and they'll 'get back to me'. been waiting 3 weeks now. another bid for a Double Tree internal use headshot was quoted at $300 for a half-day shoot (they had 6-7 people needing new images) and apparently that was too expensive for them.
i dont get it. im about to give up….
Thanks for the content! How would you light this, for a similar look, but only with two lights?
Lindsay, I love this lighting setups. I don't have an 8XX scrim. That's on my list. What class do you offer to really talk about marketing yourself to make more money as a commercial photographer?
This is soooo good and useful
Such an angry looking model lol
What can we do in case we don’t have the money for that 8 x 8’ scrim or the room?
useful content.
Lindsey's work is a great!!!
Fantástico como siempre¡¡
Maybe you allow a slightly off-topic question:
>> What's the more ideal combination for someone who is doing nearly 50:50 in Travel/Landscape and Portrait photography?
1) RF 24-105 f/4 & RF 70-200 f/2.8
or
2) RF 24-70 f/2.8 & RF 70-200 f/2.8
…looking forward to the upcoming R5 MkII to switch from my 5D MkIII with the EF 24-105 f/4 Kitlens and my old Sigma EX 100-300 f/4… as I am not sure if I should spend the extra 1000€+ for the 24-70 f/2.8 🤔. I also have to say that in the last years I switched from 80% Travel/Landscape and 20% Portrait to the before-mentioned 50:50. Thanks in advance for your tipps! 👋
Thank you Lindsay and Adorama for all that you people share with us!!! You can't even begin to realize how much I appreciate all you people do!
Great, thank you. What aperture do you typically use on the 24-105?