Wags Loc: Mequon, WI

My Daughter in law heads up a foundation in Milwaukee that provides college scholarships to graduating high school students. It started out a few years ago with about 25 students; they are up to 90. These are all outstanding students who would not be able to go to college without this kind of assistance. She has asked me to take headshots of the students that they then use for promotions, communications, etc. I did this for her during the first year, and I didn't have any lighting to help. The photos turned out "ok," but not anywhere near what I would like. I'm looking for some ideas and suggestions for this. There will be a luncheon for the students at Marquette University, and during the luncheon, the students will come by for a photo/headshot. I will not be shooting in a studio, and at this point, I don't really know what type of lighting will be available. Should I invest in a portable lightbox to help with lighting? Maybe just use a flash? I'll be using my Nikon D500. My lenses include a Nikon 105, Tamron 24-70, Sigma 18-35. Post processing will be in Lightroom, and I am considering using some background replacement in Photoshop, knowing that could be a lot of work. Thoughts and suggestions? Thank you!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

The Tamron 24-70,should work well for you.Use existing lighting. Consider a backdrop to save time in photoshop.

Wags Loc: Mequon, WI

I was thinking the 24-70 would be my best option, too. I hadn't thought about a backdrop. Thanks.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Fabric store your best place for material 48 inches wide by 7 feet. My preference is black.

ELNikkor

Sounds to me like you need to be a lot more organized this time around. You need to "case" the luncheon area ASAP, and select a location to set up. If there is a rather neutral wall in an area of low/no traffic, ask someone in authority if you can set up there for your photos. Use the zoom at 70, or the 105 and do a few test shots of a model on a stool with some minimal lighting equipment to assist with the ambient light. Random appointments will not do. The students need to be called in groups of maybe 6, (get a list and number them, or alphabetical A-E, F-J etc., with a system to match the name to the frame number.)

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Check with MKE Production Rental for your lighting needs.
If not a member of the Portrait section - subscribe to it and toss out your questions - lots of assistance there on setup, equipment, etc... to give you great shots.

The following will hopefully give you some ideas:
People Photography
Taking Great Photographs of Kids & Family
Killer Portraits
7 Posing Techniques for Non-Models
Photographing a Model

Portrait Photography with Natural Light
Understanding Natural Light Portrait Photography: A Guide to Learning to See Light
The Secrets To Shooting And Processing Natural Light Portraits
Backlight natural light portrait photo-tutorial
10 Tips for Making Natural Light Portraits
21 Inspirational Natural Light Portraits
Good luck with your shoot.

Wags Loc: Mequon, WI

This is great! Thanks. I'll look at these for sure.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Great sites, thanks for sharing.
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Bravo Zulu

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

You're welcome folks, glad to help...

Ny5y Loc: Mississippi

Look at both Adorama and BAndH photo videos they are great with what you want.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I don't know how much time you have to prepare and gather the equipm o will need to do a good job. If these are importat fr the kids, to use in various applications and memory of their accomplishment, you will want to make good portraits for them. I also do not know the level of your knowledge of basic light for portraiture.

If you are shooting at a hotel or banquette venue, yoy can not depend on available light so you will have to create a studio-like portable setup that will enable consistent results as to exposure and light ratio and allow yoy to work quickly and efficiently in that you are going to photograph 90 people in a relatively short period of time.

Using a Speedlight type of flash, on the camera, will yield flat light.

Depending on what you are will to invest in, there are several ways to set up this system. I recommend electronic flash monolights as basic tools. You will need a portable background. Frankly speaking, If you have some light knowledge and savvy, you cou pull this off with one monolight equipped wit a softbox and a flat "silver" reflector to provide fill lighting. Another option is 2 monolights, each equipped with umbrellas. An ideal system would be a 4 light system consisting of a main ligh, a fill, a hair light on a boom arm and a background light.

My practical suggestion would be for you to post a few of the shots that did last time so I can have some idea of where you are at. Tell me what you are willing to purchase and put together and I will post some lighting diagrams and instructions for you.

Your camera is a crop body so use your zoom less and leave it at 85mm. That will give you a comfortable working distance and a good perspective. Your 105mm will work too but you will need to work further from the subject and it might not yield as much modelling as an 85mm focal length and may require you to move the background further away from the subject to create more depth.

A good background is a better option than trying to drop in background in post-processing.

KarenKaptures Loc: New Jersey

Backdrop or white wall I would consider. A reflector is really helps too. I use a strobe or speed light in a soft box, reflector positioned so it gets rid of shadows and so you get catch lights.

Seabastes

For a background I'd suggest you buy one of those collapsable disks that are sold for cars to deflect heat. Buy a can of spray paint to make a background of your choice. Here is one I use for portraits. The disk is about 30 inches wide and is round or rectangular to fit in a car windshield. I would suggest you do black or grey on one side and white of the other.

You might try on camera flash using a small white reflector. Even better would be off camera at 45 degrees. Practice using the background and flash so you are comfortable when you get on the actual scene,

uhaas2009

A simple headshot I would put the flash on camera with diffuser 1/4 to 1/2 output , about 6-7 feet between camera to subject
Shutter about 1/100-1/125, F7.1. ISO 400-800
Lens about 70mm, your subject should stand in a 45 angle and have there head turned to you.
Background should be out of focus- maybe some one help you to find a good location so the background fits. When I’m not sure about my background choice-I take my cell in selfie’s mode and stand middle in the room and turn around my self
Those settings are not award winning but always easy and enjoy for customers

LVtom2020 Loc: Las Vegas

Seems like you have experience with portrait photos of student in the past...a good lens 24-70, i have a Tamron, its a super all-around lens (but don't go out and buy one, you can always rent equipment or borrow from a friend. A 75 or 105mm prime lens are fine as well. Remember test shots will land the perfect angle and lighting formula. Instead of straight-on flash, use a diffuser, I've used the Gary Fong Flash diffuser (for dummies) and it worked fine to soften the harsh flash. Take a few sample shots on a tripod and your good to go. Just have a sense of humor to lighten up your subjects.