tresap23 Loc: Texas

I am seeking help from all you pro's out here. I am starting to build a little side business. (Mostly by word of mouth and FB) People want to actually pay me to take photos. I have a job coming up, and I need an external light source for this. I am taking Portrait shots for a local business. Head shots of each employee and then group shot. I have 2 nice camera's and nice lenses, but I do not have a Softbox light kit or speedlight. I have 2 small lights that came with my Lightbox (for product photos). I take product pics for a friends business, and I purchased the small light box kit. Any suggestions? The photos will be indoors in a conference room. I have no idea if there is a window in the conference room that will supply some natural light. Nor do I have any idea what color the walls are. I do not want to spend a huge amount at one time. So I need to purchase One or the other (Speedlight or Softbox) So, your help and advice is appreciated!!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Are you shooting Canon?
Do you have a budget in mind?
Speedlight in a softbox and another speedlight for the background is what I use at minimum. Use a (foamcore) reflector on the fill side. Forget incorporating window light unless you have only a few people. Time of day and weather will change the lighting.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

make a preliminary visit an determin lighting requirements, color background . etc. before your scheduled shoot.
Chances are good you will need at least two lights and diffusion.

Haydon

One big tip is to scout the location prior to the shoot to give you good ideas where you might want to photograph such as window light etc. Preparation is key and knowing your location will allow you to make good decisions.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Move the photo shoot outdoors. Advantages:
1) A little something called "daylight" (unless it rains)
2) Even after a rain storm, the lighting could be excellent.
3) The subjects are likely to be more relaxed
Ask if they can supply some extension cords and power (from the exterior walls of the bldg)

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Thanks! Yes I have a Canon FF camera. I'd like to stay within $200 - $500 If I can get something descent for that price.

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Thanks great tip!

tresap23 Loc: Texas

I prefer outdoor. That is all I have really done. Other than take pictures of a sweet sixteen party that was inside. It was challenging. But I did ok. But this is different. These pics will be published online and in print. I am working with a friend who is a instructor for Adobe PS, so I have to get the pics, and he will work his magic on them. But, it all starts with a really good canvas to work with LOL Thanks for your advice!

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Thanks! great idea. I am going to do that for sure

CO

The drawback with small lights is that you get harsh light. A great and inexpensive way to get softer light is to use umbrellas. I have three Phottix 40" umbrellas that I use - a shoot-through, a silver reflective, and a white reflective. A speedlight really doesn't have sufficient power for that. You can get studio strobes that are inexpensive such a Adorama camera's Flashpoint series strobes. I recently purchased a Paul C. Buff DigiBee DB-800 strobe. I'm finding it has plenty of power.

Here's a link to one of the Flashpoint strobes. It's a 150 watt/sec. model which is more than any speedlight. You can go to models that have more power.
https://www.adorama.com/fp320m.html?gclid=COT3p53dsdICFUtNfgodiaADjw

You'll want to get a couple of radio triggers for the setup. You can get a two pack of PocketWizard PlusX units for about $180.

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

What they said--check out the site. Meeting rooms normally have fluorescent overhead lights and these can be good general light (set the camera for fluorescent and see if the color comes out all right). In that case, one light above, to one side might work, with the overheads giving secondary fill--if the fluorescents are daylight tubes to match the flash.

People expect two light sources (or more) for traditional portraits, even informal ones. If they just want head shots for an employee roll, you can get away with a variety of simple light arrangements (except snapshot flash on camera only)--they might just want cheap pictures. In that case, they may be satisfied with bouncing the flash (on camera) off the ceiling, where the meeting rooms are smallish with low ceilings. But they should all look somewhat the same. Flash on camera could be used as fill, with one other flash to the side and above.

Ebay has cheap kits--I bought two light weight umbrella stands with big fluorescent bulbs I think around $30, and these are light and easy to move around for the light that pleases you--you can see the effect (unlike flash). Arrange it so people do not walk around the wires (or tape them down). If you get expensive stuff later, these would still be useful. You could even get warm-white bulbs to match offices and businesses that use those, in addition to the daylight bulbs that come with them.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Take a look at Yongnuo Flashes, they are very reliable and are Canon knockoffs, have only heard great things about them, you can purchase three or more Yongnuo's for the price of one comparable Canon. The 460 series are manual flashes, the 600's are ETTL's

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Thanks so much for the tip and link!! I am heading there now to look!!

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Thanks!! I appreciate all the help!

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Thank you! great idea. I would rather get by with less money for now.