09/07 📸 Live Studio Session – Notes & Breakdown.
Added 2025-09-09 18:19:40 +0000 UTC🎯 SESSION CONTEXT
20-30 people shot in one day for campaign shoots (e.g. student elections, campus campaigns).
Goal: Exposure, future bookings, rent covered through monthly studio subs.
Despite being sick (sinus/respiratory), still pulled up and ran the session.
Tools: OBS, Lightroom Classic, multiple strobes, Nanlite spotlight, tethered camera setup.
🧠 MINDSET + BUSINESS GEMS
🧩 Long-Term Play vs. Short-Term Greed
Was gonna charge individuals separately, but accepted group booking for exposure.
“If I get all these folks in now, my work spreads fast with the new students.”
💰 Monetization Strategy
Studio exposure turned into:
5 photogs wanting monthly rental @ $350 each.
Rent x3 covered.
“Sometimes it's not about the quick cash. It's about longevity.”
📢 Marketing Reminder
Kids about to get financial aid = perfect time to post graduation flyer promos.
Reuse old PSD flyers with updated colors.
“I'm just gon’ drop the same flyer I used in spring, change the colors, boom — done.”
💡 STUDIO LIGHTING – TECHNICAL SETUPS
1. Hair Light Setup
Gear Used: Strip box (not a full softbox)
Key Tips:
Use a boom arm to hover light above the subject (not behind).
Add sandbags for safety.
Always place it based on where the subject will stand, not sit.
“You don’t want to kill your model. That’s not what we on.”
Placement:
Behind the subject’s head — high angle, slight downward tilt.
Adds halo/rim for separation.
2. Butterfly vs. Tilted Key Light
Butterfly Lighting:
Modifier directly in front, slightly above eye level.
Use only the edge of the modifier to softly hit the subject.
Great for beauty shots, soft shadows, and even skin tones.
Tilted Light:
Used when you want more defined shadows or highlights.
Gives wraparound effect with more contrast.
Middle of the modifier = harsher light.
Side Tip:
“For deeper skin tones or textured skin, the light hits differently. Move them closer to soften shadows.”
3. Fill Light: Stripbox vs. Reflector
Option A: C Light (Fill Stripbox)
Placed low in front, angled up.
Adds subtle lift to shadows under the chin/lashes.
Option B: White Reflector
White side = softer fill
Silver side = harsher fill
Can mimic a fill light with no extra power draw.
“Use the white side to keep it natural. Silver sometimes blasts too hard.”
4. Spotlight Setup (Nanlite FC120B + Projector Mount)
Why Constant Light Over Flash?
What you see is what you get.
No guessing, no misfiring.
How to Use:
Use projector lens to focus beam (sharp or soft edges).
Adjust circle size by distance.
Shape light with built-in barn doors or accessories.
Settings Used:
f/5.6, 1/100s, ISO 400–500 (adjust as needed)
“ISO is your best friend here. Adjust until the subject pops.”
Creative Add-On:
Angle subject slightly off-center to cast shadows for 3D depth.
“Clients love that shadow behind. Gives it real drama.”
📷 CAMERA SETTINGS & GEAR FLOW
Studio Default Settings:
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/200
Aperture: f/5.6
Standard for strobe; change only when needed.
Spotlight Settings:
ISO: 400–800 (for constant light)
Shutter: 1/100
Aperture: still f/5.6 (for detail)
Modifiers & Lights Mentioned:
600W strobes (Godox AD600-style)
200W (smaller strobes; one was water-damaged)
Strip boxes
Beauty dishes (used for profile pic)
7ft Parabolic Umbrella
Nanlite FC120B + projector mount (constant light)
🔥 BTS MOMENTS + CREATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
Snake shoot inspired by Doechii’s alligator cover
“She had that snake all over her head. And she was serving that shit.”
File Struggle:
“I can’t find the damn PSD file. One of them hard drives somewhere... y’all know how it is.”
Quick Tip on Grid Use:
“Without a grid, light flies everywhere. You lose control. Hair lights need grids to keep that rim tight.”
On Working Sick:
“I’ve been in this same spot since 2PM coaching, fixing, posing. I wasn’t even supposed to do all that.”
Client Experience:
“One girl told her whole squad — that one shoot just tripled my pipeline.”
💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER
“Start with one light. Build as you go.”
“You’re not just taking photos — you’re engineering light.”
“People be overcomplicating it. ISO 2 million? Triangulate what? Man, move your light and shoot.”
“Clients don’t care about the technicals. We do.”
“OBS was the cheat code. I’m running all my shoots like this now.”
📍 WHAT TO REPLICATE
If You’re Running a Studio:
Push volume on low-cost campaigns.
Use studio time to create content (BTS + tutorials).
Sell monthly studio subs to other creatives.
Build reputation with unique setups (ex: spotlight, props, snakes, etc).
For Marketing:
Recycle old flyer designs — tweak color & drop again.
Make TikToks off niche shoots (ex: “Reptile shoot POV”).
Share client shots ASAP when financial aid drops.
Screenshot your OBS setup with engagement during lives.
🚨 FINAL REMINDERS
Grads are coming. Post your flyer.
Don’t overcomplicate lighting. Move the light, take the shot.
Use continuous light when you want predictability.
Grid your hair lights.
ISO is your main tool for spotlight.
