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Photography is about light... Light lets you see but more importantly the combination of light and darkness makes you feel. So using a Flash Headshots Photographer can give you significant advantages. In the photography world you deal with lots of opinions, and thats all they really are. Some photographers say "I'm a natural light photographer."

This to me is very limiting, light is a tool in our kit as photographers. It's essential to not back yourself into a corner craft wise, especially with something as important as lighting. I love natural light, but natural light does't teach you to control the light, and in many ways you don't learn to see the light as well because of that. I absolutely love lighting, I'm addicted to it.

Natural light Headshots has a lot of strengths. The most obvious is that it feels natural, and if you learn to use it, it can be free. And there is a reason they call certain times of day golden hour. The light doesn't get any more beautiful then Dusk and Dawn.

Natural light just has a natural feel that makes you feel like you are there. You see it as if you are there. And you don't got to carry batteries, extra lights, modifiers and in general it can be less expensive. It has a specific look, and it's beloved across generations.

Adjusting for light is a lot easier because it's exactly as you see it, from a set up stand point it's usually quicker as long as you don't need to set up scrims, and reflectors. The other thing nice is your settings on your camera are more natural, not need to think over how many stops of light the flash will add and adjusting different lights.

Often a natural light headshot is more affordable, you get a simple outdoor scene and they meet you at a certain time of day. Usually natural light photographers are earlier in their photography career, and don't have the equipment build up, so that's why they are "natural light guys", this means their prices are often more affordable.

There are a lot of cons to me for Natural light Headshots. Most of the time they are outdoors so as photographer I'm limited by weather(nice on overcast days), time of day, and locations when I don't have the ability to bring my light. A lot of people will say you don't carry as much equipment. I think every photographer needs a few reflectors, light stands, and scrims. To me this makes you less wind proof than with other lighting kits.

Using something like a scrim is a big sail, this means you still need heavy sandbags, and often an assistan to hold a reflector. You are limited by location, time of day, and direction with natural light. as an example just because the beach is good at sunset doesn't mean it's not better to shoot at dawn.

A great natural light headshots photographer isn't going to limit themselves by not having these tools in their kit to increase times they can shoot, or the probability of getting good shots.

The bad part is light is always changing when you are shooting outside. Different things are reflecting at different angles, so that means you are always changing your light settings on your camera. The good news is half a stop or so off isn't too bad with the new digital cameras. So it's not horrendous if you don't do those adjustments but it does create a better final result.

Flash Headshots have a lot of strengths, as they only add to your available light. A great photographer should be able to do both, but often you won't find many great photographers who refuse to use flash. Flash lighting gives you more options plain and simple, a powerful flash system can overpower the sun, light a backdrop, and light you.

Any time and any place, you can shoot, obvious weather can effect it but you can use weather to your advantage too. Flash gives you the power to operate anywhere. With how small some of the flashes and battery setups these days, some of these setups are pretty small but pack a punch. I generally travel with a ton of flash fire power but it also all fits in my camera back pack.

Flash Headshots can be done indoor or outdoor, I can make a white outside wall look like a studio. A studio shoot has a certain upscale look and feel that you don't get from a normal outdoor shoot.

You can make environments really pop with good lighting, for a lawyer you can light the back drop of books and light the subject and create the halo effect with a good hair light or even an edge light. These details make a massive difference. Being able to expose for a backdrop then light a subject gives you a very different look.

Going outdoors and taking a great picture in front of structures like a courthouse, dance theatre, or some other strong beautiful architecture that helps build your brand. Flash photography headshots just give you more ability because you can supplement with all your natural light tools. I can still use a scrim and reflector and often do with my flash light.

Flash headshots do have it's weaknesses, you end up bringing a lot more equipment and I even need to bring a wagon to some places along with an assistant to help. You have to bring multiple sand bags, and modifiers, and sometimes you wish you brought a slightly different one.

Some folks begin to use these tools as a crutch and they try and use it even when not necessary, or don't learn to use it in different lights, light should be subtle and agree with the situation and end goal. Often times you use it mostly to fill in shadow in an outdoor shoot.

Batteries, the more light you shoot with the more batteries you need. The more batteries, the heavier. You have to carry a lot more modifiers to make sure you get the look you want. And honestly it's much easier to do flash in a studio, but to me that's why I love on location headshot photography so much, I can light you and the environment to create the brand you see in your head.

Both styles have their weakness, but the difference is limitations aren't there for a great photographer who knows flash... who knows light... and who understands how to convey your brand and personality with lighting, angles, environment, and even lens choice. What you want in your headshot is up to you.

However if you come across someone who doesn't have or use flash, often they will be much cheaper, much more limited, and much more simple. You can get a very good headshot at a good price from these photographers, so don't rule them out, but just understand time of day and location will definitely change the result and I would expect and want them to have a reflector or 2 to help with fill lighting. They are a great option for folks with a limited budget. Sometimes they'll even do it free to help build their portfolio.

If you are looking for a San Diego Headshot Photographer contact Paz Imaging and we can give you a free consultation on what might be best for you. Just email me at victormpazjr@gmail.com, call at (760)575-5700 or Facebook Message me .