Join Photo Insiders
The Joy Blog

Canon R7 + 50mm 1.8 | FLASH vs continuous light portrait photography | Rotolight Aeos + Profoto B10

english flash photography photography tips
Flash vs Continuous Light

Hey there, fellow photography enthusiasts! Today, I want to dive into the captivating realm of portrait photography and shed some light (pun intended!) on the dynamic interplay between flash and continuous lighting. Let's go!

Why I Embrace Continuous Light

For me, continuous lighting is like having a trusty companion by your side during a shoot. It's all about that real-time feedback and control. Imagine setting up the scene with the soft glow of the Rotolight Aeos—being able to see exactly how the light falls on your subject, adjusting on the fly, and capturing those genuine moments with ease.

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with Megan in a serene natural light setting using continuous light. The soft illumination allowed us to create images that felt effortlessly authentic. It's perfect for showcasing genuine emotions and subtleties without overpowering the scene.

Unleashing the Power of Flash

Now, let's talk about the flash—cue the Profoto B10! Flash photography adds a whole new dimension to your portraits. It's like adding a dash of drama and excitement to your storytelling canvas. When I needed to infuse a bit of mystery and depth into the shots, the flash was my secret weapon. It cuts through ambient light, creating striking contrasts and captivating shadows.

During my session with Megan, blending continuous light with flash elevated our portraits to a whole new level. The juxtaposition of soft and bold lighting added depth and emotion to our images, transforming them into captivating visual stories.

The Art of Balance: Mixing Both Worlds

What's truly magical is the synergy between these two lighting techniques. Picture this: using continuous light as your base to set the mood and then strategically incorporating flash to highlight certain elements or create captivating effects. It's about finding that perfect balance to craft portraits that resonate.

Final Thoughts

Portrait photography is a delightful dance between light and shadow. Both continuous light and flash bring their unique charms to the table, allowing us to create images that speak volumes. If you're eager to explore more photography insights and behind-the-scenes magic, consider joining our intimate community at Photo Insiders.

Together, we'll unlock the secrets of storytelling through photography.

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more photography adventures and insights. Let's keep capturing those unforgettable moments—because every portrait has a story to tell.

Ready to learn more?

Take the free Speed Posing 101 class

Learn how to pose individuals, couples, and groups with precision and speed. This free class will help you shoot with confidence no matter the situation and consistently wow your clients with a variety of stunning images.

Take the free class

Latest from the blog

Photograph a REAL Wedding Like a PRO!

Want BREATHTAKING Beach Photos? Watch This Croatia Photoshoot Now!

Mixing Natural Light with Flash Photography | Canon + Profoto


Meet Vanessa

Photography education that gives your art an edge

Vanessa has been photographing weddings, events, portraits and lifestyle for over 20 years.

She's a Canon Explorer of Light, an honor given to only 5 photographers in the United States, and her work has been published by Yahoo! News, Grace Ormonde, Style Me Pretty, Rangefinder and more.

With her practical and open-book style of teaching, she shares everything she knows with hundreds of thousands of photographers as an educator and influential sparker.

Work with Vanessa →

Join Vanessa Joy's Photo Insiders

Come sit at our “lunch table” and learn with top-notch video lessons released monthly, a private community and live photoshoots. Join our live group coaching calls, request videos, and get your individual questions answered.

Become a member

Free downloads

Don't leave without your goody bag
Free Preset

Steal my favorite preset

Save time editing with this preset that I personally use on my outdoor photos to brighten and warm up the scene.

i'm ready

Free guide

The Posing Inspiration Guide

Use my poses that your clients will love. Swipe ideas for posing individuals, couples, groups, and details.

yup, i need it

Free Class

Speed Posing 101

Struggling feeling confident shooting, delivering a variety of images, and posing with precision and speed? This is for you!

let's do this!

Get photography tips and resources

Join our email list to get it all directly in your inbox.