My Lighting Setup (and Why One of My Flashes is Still Mad at a Creek in Oklahoma)
People occasionally ask me about my lighting. Not like in a “teach me, oh wise one” kind of way — more like “what the heck are those blinking boxes doing on stands?” But either way, it's worth talking about. Because while natural light is a beautiful thing, it can also be rude, inconsistent, and gone before your clients even show up. Candidly, I prefer the ease of natural light for most shots — But off-camera flash is so useful for “sportraits.” Tastefully utilizing off-camera flash is an important tool to have in your bag and can level the playing field when natural light is being a jerk.
Let There Be (Neewer) Light
I run a pretty simple, reliable setup — all from Neewer. I know, I know — you were probably expecting some fancy-sounding brand that costs as much as a used Honda. But hear me out: these work. They’re dependable, portable, and they’ve held up in the field. One literally in a field. Next to a creek. More on that in a second.
Neewer Q2 — The Flash That Died for My Sins
My very first flash was the Neewer Q2. Lightweight, punchy, and perfect for learning how to bend light to my will. It had one fatal flaw: it didn’t float.
Yep — my second-ever paid shoot and the Q2 decided to take a little Oklahoma baptism in a creek. R.I.P., buddy. But you know what? It still left a great impression (even if it left the scene soggy). That little guy taught me everything I needed to know about off-camera flash. I was hooked from that moment on.
NW665 — The Dependable Workhorse
This one is my go-to. It’s planted most often at a 45-degree front-right angle from my subject, nestled inside a softbox. It’s the backbone of my lighting setup. Great power, fast recycle time, and a surprisingly smooth output for a speedlight in its price range.
I trust it for everything from seniors to families, and it's never complained once. Unlike toddlers, who complain a lot. I wouldn’t trust it to overpower the sun — But that’s not my style, anyway. It’s great for illuminating a backlit subject and producing dynamically illuminated portraits.
Z1 — The Fancy One with a Round Head and an Identity Crisis
Enter the Z1: sleek, modern, round-headed, and full of potential. It has magnets! It looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie! It’s also... a bit picky.
The Z1 isn’t always sure where it fits into my setup. It’s not ideal on-camera for me, so I use it for rim lighting — usually from behind or to the side of the subject to give a little separation and drama. It’s subtle, but when it’s right, it elevates the shot. The flash itself has no issues — I just struggle to find the right diffuser for it. I’ve used little magnetic domes. I’ve used Tubberware-looking contraptions. It’s a great tool, but not my primary tool.
Also, it looks really cool. And let’s be honest, sometimes that’s half the battle.
Final Thoughts: Budget Gear, Big Results
Look — I know Neewer isn’t the sexiest name out there. You’re not going to impress your gearhead friends by casually dropping it into conversation. But I’ll say this: it works. It’s reliable. It’s gotten me through countless shoots. And it hasn’t let me down (except when I let it fall into a body of water, and that was definitely my fault).
Whether it’s senior sessions, family shoots, or branding portraits, this setup lets me control the light, shape the mood, and keep my clients looking their best. And at the end of the day, that’s all I need.
There are no strobes the size of microwaves, no lighting assistants named Lincoln — although I’ll use the boy when I need some extra muscle! There are just a few flashes, a softbox, and a slightly sarcastic, overly caffeinated photographer with a solid backup plan.