I’m doing some corporate headshots for a small law firm near me, but as I usually do videography I don’t have photographic lighting. I have a speed light that goes on top of my camera and im a confident photographer - do you think this is adequate? What would your tips be for corporate headshots?
You’ll need a backdrop – these are great. If you’re going to do more headshots, they are essential. A white one even makes more sense. With a white one, its easier to erase the background and put in a custom backdrop.
https://preview.redd.it/dwqzhw3aal0c1.jpeg?width=3038&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2cb2f315b6eeaad933fc0b32ef0e78b4a03ea412
I usually do corporate head shots with one light. I’ve used this one for more than five years and the results are fabulous. And use an umbrella and set it up as high as it will go on a stand so the shadows are behind and below your subject.
A speedlight might work with an umbrella or a softbox. You cannot just use a Speedlight aimed at the subject without a large diffuser.
You could probably use your video light but I’ll bet that will make your subjects squint which isn’t a good look.
The lower the ISO the better anyone’s skin is going to look, so bright lighting and low ISOs are the way to go… try 100 to start then adjust.
Shoot them all in RAW and definitely manual so all the headshots look uniform. If you shoot Auto program and Auto ISO, a dark skinned person’s shot will look a lot different than a light person’s shot.
I wouldn’t go into shooting multiple corporate headshots without the right equipment. Whatever you do, set up what you have and practice a LOT before you go to do it!