My Lesson in Lighting
Lighting can make or break a client photoshoot.
Let me share with you the #1 big mistake I made early on in my photography career and how you can avoid it!
Taken with my favorite product recommendation of 2024 - read on to get it!
In this article, I will teach you:
The importance of being prepared with one key item
My favorite product recommendation of 2024!
Why mistakes are the best (counterintuitive, right?)
My First Theater Photoshoot
One fortunate day, I was following Sean Dalton’s YouTube channel about starting a photography business. Per his recommendations, I pulled together my Excel sheet of potential clients and just started “cold calling”. I sent a media kit or overview of my photographer bio and skills to multiple prospects. I then did my due diligence to follow up. It was a sunny Thursday in late September when I finally got a bite. A client responded to say her other two photographers had scheduling conflicts, could I do a photoshoot for a theater production, at a mansion, on Monday? To keep a long story short, of course I said yes!
On the day of the shoot, I brought my enthusiasm, fear, and two plug-in light stands because I knew I would be shooting in a dark mansion. I was a nervous wreck on the inside but remained composed. Everyone arrived on time, and all seemed to be going great—until…
“The director asked if we could shoot in multiple rooms in under one hour. It is then I had my “oh S***” moment.”
I realized I was missing one key item. I had my standing lights with me, but they were not portable, requiring an outlet to work. Rushing to figure out what to do, I searched for outlets in each room. I found them, but not all of them worked (my luck!) Furthermore, I did not have enough time to identify the proper lighting placement. In short, while I still managed to get beautiful shots like this….
Without the proper lighting gear, I was also faced with terrible shots like this….
Words cannot describe how painful it was to miss out on a quality shot with this fabulous cast and fun composition.
So what did I do? I did the best I could and still managed to deliver quality shots but I left with a pit in my stomach, knowing things could have gone much better, and I left wondering if the client would hire me again…
THIS, my friends, is why I choose to share my mistakes with you so you can avoid this very same situation for your first shoot!
My List of Newbie Mistakes
Mistake #1: I did not have adequate time to assess the lighting situation e.g. where are all the light fixtures in each room, which ones work, and what is my backup plan for those that do not work?
Mistake #2: I could not easily move around the standing lights I did have
My Biggest Mistake: I did not have easy to use portable lighting! (By the way, photographers, stick around to see which portable light product I do recommend especially if you are on a budget)
How You Can Avoid My Newbie Mistakes
Tip #1: If possible, I recommend connecting with the client in advance to arrange for a pre-shoot time to visit the location and assess your lighting needs. If this is not possible, I recommend arranging enough time the day of to conduct your lighting assessment and feel prepared as a professional.
Remember
The client is paying you for a quality outcome, so it is in their best interest to accommodate your need as a professional!
Tip #2: If the photoshoot requires it, get portable lights! Trust me, you will thank yourself for it later.
And this brings me to my product recommendation…
My Favorite Product Recommendation of 2024
I absolutely love the MettleLite Multi-Functional Light Bar.
Not only will I never go to a shoot without it again, the MettleLite Multi-Functional Light Bar offers these 6 reliable benefits:
It is affordable. Depending on the type you get they currently can range anywhere from $52.59 - $215.99 pre-tax and shipping.
At a full charge, and depending on the model it has a 100-130 minute battery life, perfect for a 1-hour photoshoot
It features multiple (remote adjustable) juicy color settings ranging from 2800k-8000k in color temperature from a luxurious drooping red to appealing saturated blue, purple, green, and many more variations
It is lightweight (as low as 0.57lbs) and can be re-charged with an adapter while still using it, making it great for an on-the-go-job
It comes in 3* appealing sizes to choose from:
The MettleLite RGB Light Stick LS-400C (2ft)
The MettleLite RGB Light Stick LS-800C (3.2ft),
The MettleLite RGB Tube Light-X1 (1ft). The smallest (and magnetic) of the options.
And best of all, as long as they are charged, the MettleLite does not require an outlet to work!
*There are more variations I am not familiar with but may be available if these options do not work for you!
Get the MettleLite RGB Light Stick LS-400Cand MettleLite RGB Tube Light X1 on Amazon. Please note: these are affiliate links, you will be re-directed to Amazon for purchase. I only ever recommend products I feel my reader will love, I do however get a small commission for the purchase.
Bonus: Another neat feature? It’s fun for videography and includes settings such as Fireworks Display, Police Car Lights, and Fireplace.
The MettleLite RGB Light Stick LS-400C
Kinda looks and feels like a Star Wars lightsaber and well that’s just pure fun for you Jedi fans out there…
Lastly, what’s even better than cool products? An applicable, and long-lasting mindset tip!
This brings me to my last piece of advice…
Tip #3: Remember all mistakes can be the best if we let them. Why? They are wonderful teachers, and can actually improve our future outcomes if we CHOOSE to learn from them. For me, what I feared would be a nail in the coffin of my very young photography career turned into a moment I learned from and generated profitable results from.
How My Big Mistake Turned Into Paid Results
Now, I will never go to shoots without the MettleLite. During my next paid gig, not only did most of my photographs come out well, they came out fantastic! So much so that I received more paid work with the same client and at another awesome location (a historic mansion and haunted house!) where the lighting was definitely tricky but turned out SO well because of my MettleLites and, not to toot my horn too much, but my eye for composition and skills! Check it out!
Taken with the MettleLite RGB Light Stick LS-400C
Taken with the MettleLite RGB Tube Light-X1
