This depends entirely on what you’re photographing the look that you are trying to achieve so I’m not really sure how to answer this but if you’re going for like a standard headshot with a white background and a fairly clean flat light on your subject, then I like using a 2 x 3 soft box 3 feet away from my subjects, face or so. I have a whole video tutorial on different ways to light headshot sessions at thephotoinsiders.com.
Thanks for the video. When I do head shots, I usually use a minimum of main light, fill light, and background light. If I add a fourth light, it is usually a hair light. Until your video, I had never considered dual background lights. Thanks for the suggestion.
My Headshot list: R6II, backup R6, 24-105 f/4 (backup in case I can't get far enough away) 70-200 f/2.8 (primary lens). Gitzo tripod, full complement of lights. I primarily shoot headshots, and in all honesty, for me, the first order of consideration is perspective and shooting distance. I pick the shooting distance and perspective that makes the subjects nose and ears approximately the same size in the frame, then use the appropriate lens to the the composition I want. Somebody has a bigger nose and smaller ears, you're shooting from further away, smaller nose and bigger ears? You're getting up closer. I also almost never shoot more wide open than f/5.6 and am usually f/8-f/11 range because I want as much of their head as possible in focus. The whole "shoot wide open and pop them out of the background!" is not a thing the second you have to do a background replacement in post and the only thing in sharp focus is the eye closest to the camera. Talk about making your job unnecessarily more difficult. It's way better if you can have as much of them as possible in fairly sharp focus. The next thing is lighting. Again, this is a headshot, not a portrait, or an environmental portrait. Control the lighting. If you don't put a light on it, it should be black. I usually roll in with at least 5 or 6 lights (including backup lights) plus the needed stands, modifiers, etc. Backgrounds, this is simple... I use a collapsible background that is white on one side and black on the other. Savage makes it. Lastly, this is just me... but I see a lot of "headshots" that are really just portraits... A headshot is a headshot and has some pretty specific elements that makes it a headshot and not just a portrait.
@@benharris3949 Yep. Almost nobody takes it into consideration. They just throw on a 50, or 85, or 100/135 and shoot away. It's one of those subtle things that once you see it, you can't unsee it and a headshot where the subjects ears and nose and different sizes starts to look just off. It's one of those things that just subtly registers. You can literally take the same shot from three different distances of a client, one close where the nose is bigger, one where the ears and nose are the same size, and one where the ears are now a bit bigger (this can be a little hard to do unless they have a small nose and big ears) and the client will almost always pick the shot where the two are the same size if everything else is about equal. They don't know why, but that one looks better than the other ones. Well, yeah, your photographer picked a perspective that makes none of your features stand out any more than any of your other features.
This explains why it gets so expensive to get headshots taken. As a hobby photographer I only take pictures of myself and immediate family and use way less things. Just my M50 Mark II, SIgma 56mm f/1.4 set to f/2.8 and the Speedlite EX 430 III RT flash.
Hello pretty woman, nice video. Question, i have a eos R5, but i want one of the aps-c camera's. Which one should i take, the R10 or R7? Greetings from belgium. BTW your lens choices in this video costs arms and legs (some kidneys too) here in europe.
Haha - who needs two kidneys anyway? I would go with the R7 if you can OR go with the R10 and then you have some money left over for a lens and you don’t even have to sell your kidney. By the way, the RF 85 mm F2 is a great choice as well.
I agree that RF 2870 is a very versatile lens when it comes to portrait shots. Besides that Im using also Sigma 85mm f1.4A for the inside photos and Sigma 105mm f1.4A for the outside. They have great detail capabilities. Especially the 2nd one, which in some scenarios outperforms the look of RF 85mm f1.2L.
I agree with the importance of having a semi-wide angle lens on hand for those on-site situations where you don't have much room. For me though, I go with the RF 24-70. I like having the f.28 and image stabilized option. However, if I have the space, I have been going with my RF 70-200 f2.8. That lens is just crazy sharp. HOWEVER, I recently picked up the RF 100 macro and that is now my ABSOLUTE lens of choice for single person portraits and headshots. Not only is this lens STUPID sharp but with dual motors, it focuses way faster than the 85 mm.
Love your stuff Vanessa! And here comes the But... I was a full time event photographer for longer than I care to say. Now retired and moved from CA to WA because of hubby's job. Clients gone, jobs gone, equipment sold and also went the desire to do event shooting. I live in a beautiful state and being only a few miles from the Canadian border I'm finally learning (my secret passion) landscape photography. I do take on the occasional head shot but more importantly pet photography is the most requested. I can no longer afford the equipment I depended on and would love to see your version of lower cost gear. Thanks in advance... :-)
I always make sure to take this lens: my 85mm. And my 135mm. And my 24-70. And my 70-200. You're so right - you can never be sure, and even when you are, take them all anyway!!
How are you going to place a flash on top of your camera if you do then what's triggering your lights is everything on Slave at that point by the way I definitely like those light stands at $120 not bad at all for quality
As always, informative and precise. Personal preference, I would turn one of those background lights and use it as a rim or hair light. I like the gradient. But, again, that's personal preference. And would be if the client wants a full white background or a gradient to it. I love my Sigma 85 F1.4 Art for headshots. But I definitely bring my Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 OS Art as well. Just in case. Great to see I'm on the right track!
How about a video on headshots and minimal gear. With 6k - 8k just in lighting, the RF lens at about 3k each. A Tutorial with 1 body, 1 lens and 2 speed lights how to make that work. Thanks
I would love to tether but most of my clients want to have their spouses help them choose so I do the online gallery. But I think I am going to tether anyway because it's better than showing the back of the camera
Ha yeah they say that too but I let them know that’s just not how my process works. But that’s also because head shots are not my primary form of income so I don’t want them drinking on weeks and weeks while they ask everyone they know about their headshot.
Here are the lenses I use: 85mm f/1.4 for half-length and head & shoulder 100mm f/2.8 backup for head & shoulder shots 105mm f/2.8 macro for tight face shots 135mm f/2 for tight face shots 80-200mm f/2.8 zoom backup for prime lenses
Vanessa, can I PLEASE ask you HOW you get such a great painted back wall in this video? RGB light or lights? Green screen? WHAT? It's not just great looking , it's pro level! Can you share the answer? I appreciate it! Bo
My god you are such a breath of fresh air offering REAL PERSPECTIVE on photography helping the community unlike some (one) others with bad hair calling it a fro. I don’t even shoot canon (Nikon) and can appreciate your input. Keep killing it chica! P.S. you need another “troll” video of said character above. 😉
What pro (or sem-pro for that matter) continuously hits the zoom ring "accidentally"? Just say you don't like that lens vs it's not safe - SIGH! You're beginning to sound like the Northrops when they don't like a particular piece of gear or brand of gear. IJS
@@VanessaJoy Nah, not rolling, just going by what you said about the 70-200 not being safe. If I was trolling, I'd be making comments on all your videos. 😃😃
@@VanessaJoy No, just your comment about why a fixed focal vs. a zoom; that sometimes you accidentally move the zoom setting. I do that and more (accidentally change iso, or aperture. Especially in a long session with 70 subjects.
All these recommendations have priced me out of this video hah. It doesn't need to be this expensive. Forget profoto way to much. And forget thoes stupid expensive canon lenses you are not really wanting that much detail and you are going to be shooting at a high f-stop. Can do this very nicely with mid range and third party lenses.
Vanessa is a Canon and Profoto user, OF COURSE that is what she is going to have and use. As she is explaining, just substitute with what you've got. She says Profoto, I substitute with Flashpoint. Vanessa says Canon 85mm, I say Nikon or M.Zuiko. Toe-May-Toe // Toe-Mah-Toe. Just dont be so rude, airtime. 🍎
This might be the dumbest comment I’ve ever read. 1. It’s 28-70, not 20. Learn your gear. 2. I said I take that lens to use if there are space issues and only use it if I have space issues and certainly would not use it at its widest part. Learn to listen. 3. Some people actually prefer to be photographed for a headshot around 50 mm because if they are self-conscious about their face being heavy and 85 mm lens or higher focal length will make their face appear wider. Learn your clients.
Great video! With modifiers, what’s is the best modifier and position if your shooting in a room with dark walls and high ceiling
This depends entirely on what you’re photographing the look that you are trying to achieve so I’m not really sure how to answer this but if you’re going for like a standard headshot with a white background and a fairly clean flat light on your subject, then I like using a 2 x 3 soft box 3 feet away from my subjects, face or so. I have a whole video tutorial on different ways to light headshot sessions at thephotoinsiders.com.
Thanks for the video.
When I do head shots, I usually use a minimum of main light, fill light, and background light.
If I add a fourth light, it is usually a hair light. Until your video, I had never considered dual background lights. Thanks for the suggestion.
My Headshot list: R6II, backup R6, 24-105 f/4 (backup in case I can't get far enough away) 70-200 f/2.8 (primary lens). Gitzo tripod, full complement of lights. I primarily shoot headshots, and in all honesty, for me, the first order of consideration is perspective and shooting distance. I pick the shooting distance and perspective that makes the subjects nose and ears approximately the same size in the frame, then use the appropriate lens to the the composition I want. Somebody has a bigger nose and smaller ears, you're shooting from further away, smaller nose and bigger ears? You're getting up closer. I also almost never shoot more wide open than f/5.6 and am usually f/8-f/11 range because I want as much of their head as possible in focus. The whole "shoot wide open and pop them out of the background!" is not a thing the second you have to do a background replacement in post and the only thing in sharp focus is the eye closest to the camera. Talk about making your job unnecessarily more difficult. It's way better if you can have as much of them as possible in fairly sharp focus. The next thing is lighting. Again, this is a headshot, not a portrait, or an environmental portrait. Control the lighting. If you don't put a light on it, it should be black. I usually roll in with at least 5 or 6 lights (including backup lights) plus the needed stands, modifiers, etc. Backgrounds, this is simple... I use a collapsible background that is white on one side and black on the other. Savage makes it. Lastly, this is just me... but I see a lot of "headshots" that are really just portraits... A headshot is a headshot and has some pretty specific elements that makes it a headshot and not just a portrait.
Love the ears/nose tip. Thanks a bunch!
@@benharris3949 Yep. Almost nobody takes it into consideration. They just throw on a 50, or 85, or 100/135 and shoot away. It's one of those subtle things that once you see it, you can't unsee it and a headshot where the subjects ears and nose and different sizes starts to look just off. It's one of those things that just subtly registers. You can literally take the same shot from three different distances of a client, one close where the nose is bigger, one where the ears and nose are the same size, and one where the ears are now a bit bigger (this can be a little hard to do unless they have a small nose and big ears) and the client will almost always pick the shot where the two are the same size if everything else is about equal. They don't know why, but that one looks better than the other ones. Well, yeah, your photographer picked a perspective that makes none of your features stand out any more than any of your other features.
@@AdrianBacon I was a dedicated prime shooter, but I’ll pick up a zoom for headshots now.
Loved
You've gained a new Sub!
Yay, thank you!
Great video. Excellent tips. Vanessa rocks
Really good advice in this video,including having that back up camera.
Glad it was helpful!
Nice job thanks I never have tried 2 lights on the back ground, I will definitely try it out thank you
Have fun!
לסיכום הצלחתי להבין מה כתוב לך על היד השמאלית סוף סוף 🤩
"כי חדות ה' היא מעוזכם"
יפה אהבתי.
תודה רבה על הסרטון 🙏
for the "joy" :)
Great video Vanessa.
Glad you liked it!
👍🏾👏🏾💐okay Sister Joy, I see you. Good video. The outfit is a good look for you. Phelix
Thank you 🤗
I do quite a few headshots lately and really enjoyed your gear talk + lighting techniques; thanks for sharing, I learned some new tricks from you!
Glad it was helpful!
This was invaluable. Thank you!
You're so welcome!
This explains why it gets so expensive to get headshots taken. As a hobby photographer I only take pictures of myself and immediate family and use way less things. Just my M50 Mark II, SIgma 56mm f/1.4 set to f/2.8 and the Speedlite EX 430 III RT flash.
To clarify f/2.8 for belly and up pictures, for actual headshots I'd use f/5.6 as the widest aperture
Thanks!
Welcome!
This is always a refresher to be able to just make sure you remember what you should bring
true!
@@VanessaJoy have a quinceañera this weekend or how they call it here in USA a sweet 16 and a new camera on the way here we go.
Hello pretty woman, nice video. Question, i have a eos R5, but i want one of the aps-c camera's. Which one should i take, the R10 or R7? Greetings from belgium. BTW your lens choices in this video costs arms and legs (some kidneys too) here in europe.
Haha - who needs two kidneys anyway?
I would go with the R7 if you can OR go with the R10 and then you have some money left over for a lens and you don’t even have to sell your kidney. By the way, the RF 85 mm F2 is a great choice as well.
Yea the lenses recommendations are not realistic for 90% of the public. Can get same results with way less expensive lenses.
@@VanessaJoy Thanks for your answer ❤ Its goin to be the R7.... I can miss a kidney lol
Can i make it work with 24-70 2.8 , 2 soft boxes, and off camera flash?
Yeah for sure
@ great ! Thank you !
You’ve been extremely helpful time and time again on all of your platforms . If you’re ever shooting in H-Town I’m there !
I know Vanessa’s video is great , but that outfit is FIREEEEE 🔥 🔥 🔥
Thanks!
Great to have some diversity in the headshot tutorial space 🤗
Awesome episode
Glad you enjoyed it
Hahaha. Nice save on the light and mic. Great content, Vanessa!!
Thank you! 😁
I agree that RF 2870 is a very versatile lens when it comes to portrait shots. Besides that Im using also Sigma 85mm f1.4A for the inside photos and Sigma 105mm f1.4A for the outside. They have great detail capabilities. Especially the 2nd one, which in some scenarios outperforms the look of RF 85mm f1.2L.
I agree with the importance of having a semi-wide angle lens on hand for those on-site situations where you don't have much room. For me though, I go with the RF 24-70. I like having the f.28 and image stabilized option. However, if I have the space, I have been going with my RF 70-200 f2.8. That lens is just crazy sharp. HOWEVER, I recently picked up the RF 100 macro and that is now my ABSOLUTE lens of choice for single person portraits and headshots. Not only is this lens STUPID sharp but with dual motors, it focuses way faster than the 85 mm.
Excellent information! This is very helpful! I’d love to see a video of you working with both male and female headshot clients! Thanks!
Great suggestion!
Love your stuff Vanessa! And here comes the But... I was a full time event photographer for longer than I care to say. Now retired and moved from CA to WA because of hubby's job. Clients gone, jobs gone, equipment sold and also went the desire to do event shooting. I live in a beautiful state and being only a few miles from the Canadian border I'm finally learning (my secret passion) landscape photography. I do take on the occasional head shot but more importantly pet photography is the most requested. I can no longer afford the equipment I depended on and would love to see your version of lower cost gear. Thanks in advance... :-)
I have quite a few videos on this channel already with budget gear, a whole series dedicated to it in fact. :-) more coming!
I usually use a good 85mm when I shoot head shots. I love the separation it gives me from subject to background.
it's so pretty, right?
This was right on time!
oh yeah? big headshot job coming up?
@@VanessaJoy Next week. 50 Headshots at Women's Business Retreat.
Thanks for the tips! I’ve always felt that lighting is super complicated
Pretty hefty price tag for a minimal setup, but then again I guess this isn't aimed at hackers.
Very informative video.
Yeah for sure, but one can replace anything with the budget equivalent 🤷🏻♀️
Such a joy to see a fantastic video from a professional 👏🏻
Wow, thank you!
I always make sure to take this lens: my 85mm. And my 135mm. And my 24-70. And my 70-200. You're so right - you can never be sure, and even when you are, take them all anyway!!
This is such perfect timing as I was doing research on overhead shots the past 3 days. Thank you for sharing your indispensable information 🙏
So glad!
How are you going to place a flash on top of your camera if you do then what's triggering your lights is everything on Slave at that point by the way I definitely like those light stands at $120 not bad at all for quality
My flash triggers the lights ☺️
😝The "Oh My God" was on point.
😂
As always, informative and precise. Personal preference, I would turn one of those background lights and use it as a rim or hair light. I like the gradient. But, again, that's personal preference. And would be if the client wants a full white background or a gradient to it. I love my Sigma 85 F1.4 Art for headshots. But I definitely bring my Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 OS Art as well. Just in case. Great to see I'm on the right track!
exactly! I mention that option when talking about bringing three lights. It all depends on personal preference, and what your client wants for sure!
How about a video on headshots and minimal gear. With 6k - 8k just in lighting, the RF lens at about 3k each. A Tutorial with 1 body, 1 lens and 2 speed lights how to make that work. Thanks
Cool idea! Check out @lastxwitness’ video doing just that: th-cam.com/video/fcOXIC6xgu4/w-d-xo.html
@@VanessaJoy Laura BC has the best videos on working with minimal gear. Thanks for the effort
For my corporate headshot clients, I will bring my 85 1.8, with my 24-70 2.8 as a backup. If i'm shooting in studio I love my 105 macro.
What are your thoughts about using a 135 like the new RF 135 1.8?
She actually did a review of it last year (spoiler: she absolutely loved it) th-cam.com/video/8YtTiBBFVuM/w-d-xo.html
for headshots? I'd likely save that for on-location shoots
@@VanessaJoy what’s unique about “on location shooting” for using the 135?
Space
What about the lights in the building? Shit them off?
No just start your natural light exposure with a black frame and build your lighting from there
Vanessa only uses the 50mm lens, according to her videos!
#misinformation
I would love to tether but most of my clients want to have their spouses help them choose so I do the online gallery. But I think I am going to tether anyway because it's better than showing the back of the camera
Ha yeah they say that too but I let them know that’s just not how my process works. But that’s also because head shots are not my primary form of income so I don’t want them drinking on weeks and weeks while they ask everyone they know about their headshot.
Here are the lenses I use:
85mm f/1.4 for half-length and head & shoulder
100mm f/2.8 backup for head & shoulder shots
105mm f/2.8 macro for tight face shots
135mm f/2 for tight face shots
80-200mm f/2.8 zoom backup for prime lenses
Vanessa, can I PLEASE ask you HOW you get such a great painted back wall in this video? RGB light or lights? Green screen? WHAT? It's not just great looking , it's pro level! Can you share the answer? I appreciate it!
Bo
Savage backdrop ☺️
My god you are such a breath of fresh air offering REAL PERSPECTIVE on photography helping the community unlike some (one) others with bad hair calling it a fro. I don’t even shoot canon (Nikon) and can appreciate your input. Keep killing it chica! P.S. you need another “troll” video of said character above. 😉
28-70 is nice but lol 24-70 2.8 is fine without getting a mortgage to purchase glass
Totally worth the mortgage tho 😜 but yea the 2.8 is a great choice too!
@@VanessaJoy point taken lol
Hi Vanessa just one thing that you forgot is camera strap sling. Cheers! 🥃
True! But you can’t find mine anymore 😭
Those backdrops are just right. Of course white and gray are out of stock rn 🤦🏽♂️
try this one - I have it - it's great: adorama.rfvk.net/Ryzv7N
🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽nice. I did find them on Amazon. Which I’m sure are coming from Adorama. Time to play the waiting game 🕐🕑🕒
man you should talk about how to be in style and look good 🤗
Aw thx ☺️
9:10 😅😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
nice video.
one question though, NOT photo related...
what is your Hebrew tattoo?
It’s Nehemiah 8:10 - the joy of the lord is your strength
...i will add to all this gear a JBL Boombox
Ha. Good idea!!
informative 13mins on headshots
Happy to hear it!
Expensive lighting geez😩😩😩 I understand the camera and lenses being expensive I get that but the umbrella almost $400 and a reflector 150
Yeah it is but 25 years after my first headshot session I’ve worked my way up 😉 my biggest advice is buy USED good quality lights
What pro (or sem-pro for that matter) continuously hits the zoom ring "accidentally"? Just say you don't like that lens vs it's not safe - SIGH! You're beginning to sound like the Northrops when they don't like a particular piece of gear or brand of gear. IJS
Except I do like it 🤷🏻♀️ you’re beginning to sound like a troll
@@VanessaJoy Nah, not rolling, just going by what you said about the 70-200 not being safe. If I was trolling, I'd be making comments on all your videos. 😃😃
Head shots not really my thing. I go more for full body.
I love your videos because it’s ‘the real world’ and in the real world we all accidentally rack the zoom ring and your framing is then off. Sigh.
Lol for the video?
@@VanessaJoy No, just your comment about why a fixed focal vs. a zoom; that sometimes you accidentally move the zoom setting. I do that and more (accidentally change iso, or aperture. Especially in a long session with 70 subjects.
Minimal = $20k in gear. No biggie.
Just those Canon 1.2's and the super expensive Profoto flashes, you need a mortgage, just saying ;)
Just showing what I use 🤷🏻♀️ if you’re looking for alternative options I have quite a few videos here on more budget photography gear
All these recommendations have priced me out of this video hah. It doesn't need to be this expensive. Forget profoto way to much. And forget thoes stupid expensive canon lenses you are not really wanting that much detail and you are going to be shooting at a high f-stop. Can do this very nicely with mid range and third party lenses.
Absolutely! I’m just showing you what I have that I’ve bought and invested in. Replace with equivalents as necessary
Vanessa is a Canon and Profoto user, OF COURSE that is what she is going to have and use. As she is explaining, just substitute with what you've got. She says Profoto, I substitute with Flashpoint. Vanessa says Canon 85mm, I say Nikon or M.Zuiko. Toe-May-Toe // Toe-Mah-Toe.
Just dont be so rude, airtime.
🍎
@@corykphotography Hahaha. I like the apple for the teacher reference. Brilliant.
@@brad_in_yyc it is a very deserving apple lol
@@corykphotography 100% it is.
shhhh :)))))
mhmmm
Hahaha 20-70mm for headshots 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 someone has no idea how that affects the face shape. You need at least 85mm to get away from "distortion"
This might be the dumbest comment I’ve ever read. 1. It’s 28-70, not 20. Learn your gear. 2. I said I take that lens to use if there are space issues and only use it if I have space issues and certainly would not use it at its widest part. Learn to listen. 3. Some people actually prefer to be photographed for a headshot around 50 mm because if they are self-conscious about their face being heavy and 85 mm lens or higher focal length will make their face appear wider. Learn your clients.
Thank you!
You're welcome!