Understanding Light Fundamentals
Before discussing equipment, understand what makes light "good" for photography:
- Direction: Where the light comes from (front, side, back) shapes how your subject appears
- Quality: Hard light (direct sun) creates sharp shadows; soft light (overcast sky) wraps around subjects
- Color Temperature: Light has color—warm (tungsten), cool (shade), or balanced (daylight)
- Intensity: How bright the light is determines your exposure settings
Your lighting equipment manipulates these properties to create flattering, controlled results regardless of ambient conditions.
Speedlights (On-Camera Flash)
Speedlights are portable, battery-powered flash units that mount on your camera's hot shoe. They're the foundation of wedding lighting.
Why Every Wedding Photographer Needs Flash
- Fill in shadows during outdoor portraits in harsh sun
- Create catchlights in eyes for more engaging portraits
- Illuminate reception dancing where ambient light is insufficient
- Overpower dim venues for clean, professional images
- Add creative drama with off-camera techniques
Key Speedlight Features
TTL (Through-The-Lens)
Automatic flash metering that communicates with your camera to determine proper flash output. Essential for fast-moving wedding work where manual adjustments aren't practical.
High-Speed Sync (HSS)
Allows flash use at shutter speeds above the normal sync speed (usually 1/200-1/250s). Critical for outdoor portraits when you want to balance flash with bright ambient light.
Swivel/Tilt Head
A head that rotates and tilts allows bounce flash techniques—firing the flash at ceilings or walls to create soft, indirect light.
Guide Number
Indicates flash power. Higher guide numbers (50+) mean more power for bouncing and longer distances. Professional speedlights typically have GN 50-60.
Recommended Speedlights
| Category | Model | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Canon | Canon Speedlite EL-1 | ~$1,100 | Flagship, weather-sealed, active cooling |
| Pro Sony | Sony HVL-F60RM2 | ~$600 | Fast recycle, excellent TTL |
| Pro Nikon | Nikon SB-5000 | ~$600 | Radio control built-in |
| Budget Excellent | Godox V1 | ~$260 | Round head, built-in radio, great value |
| Budget Good | Godox TT685 II | ~$110 | Excellent entry-level with full features |
Godox (also sold as Flashpoint in the US) offers professional-quality lighting at a fraction of OEM prices. Their triggers, speedlights, and strobes all work together seamlessly. Many professional wedding photographers use Godox exclusively.
Off-Camera Flash
Moving flash off your camera opens creative possibilities. Off-camera flash can:
- Create dramatic side lighting for portraits
- Light dance floors from corners, not just on-axis
- Add rim light to separate subjects from backgrounds
- Create multiple light sources for complex setups
📹 Video Lesson: Off-Camera Flash in Action
See how professional wedding photographers use off-camera flash in real wedding scenarios:
Wireless Triggers
Wireless triggers communicate between your camera and off-camera flashes. Modern systems support TTL and HSS wirelessly.
Godox XPro Series
Best ValueReliable TTL/HSS trigger for all major camera systems. Works with all Godox lights.
- Price~$70
- FeaturesTTL, HSS, Groups
Profoto Connect
PremiumSimplified control for Profoto systems. Premium quality, premium price.
- Price~$400
- FeaturesTTL, HSS, App control
Portable Strobes
When speedlights aren't powerful enough, portable strobes provide more output for larger spaces or daylight fill.
When to Use Strobes Over Speedlights
- Large reception halls requiring more power
- Outdoor portraits overpowering bright sunlight
- Using large modifiers that need more power
- Faster recycle times for continuous shooting
Godox AD200 Pro
Versatile WorkhorsePocket strobe with 200Ws power. Perfect balance of portability and power for wedding work.
- Power200Ws
- Weight560g
- Price~$350
Godox AD400 Pro
More PowerWhen you need serious output. Great for large groups and overpowering harsh sun.
- Power400Ws
- Weight1.87kg
- Price~$650
Profoto B10
PremiumIndustry-leading quality, color consistency, and build. The professional standard.
- Power250Ws
- Weight1.5kg
- Price~$1,600
Light Modifiers
Raw flash is harsh. Modifiers shape and soften light for flattering results.
Essential Modifiers
Flash Diffuser Dome
Basic diffusion for on-camera bounce flash. Softens harsh shadows when bouncing off ceilings.
- Use CaseReception, dancing
- Price$10-30
MagMod System
Magnetic modifier system for speedlights. Gels, grids, and diffusers snap on instantly.
- Use CaseCreative on-camera
- Price$100-200
Portable Softbox
Collapsible softboxes for off-camera flash. Create studio-quality portraits on location.
- Use CasePortraits
- Price$50-300
Reflector
5-in-1 reflectors bounce natural light to fill shadows. No batteries required.
- Use CaseOutdoor portraits
- Price$20-80
Continuous Lights for Video
If you're offering video services, continuous lighting is essential. Unlike flash, continuous lights stay on, allowing you to see exactly how the light falls.
LED Panels
- Aputure MC/Amaran MX: Pocket-sized RGB LEDs for creative video lighting
- Aputure 60x: Excellent bi-color LED for interviews and detail shots
- Nanlite Forza series: Powerful COB lights for larger setups
For hybrid photo/video shooters, continuous lights can work for both—but they're generally less powerful than flash. Many wedding videographers rely primarily on natural and ambient light, adding continuous sources only for specific creative shots or speeches.
Reception Lighting Setup
The reception often has the worst ambient lighting. Here's a reliable setup:
Minimum Reception Kit
- On-camera speedlight for fill and direct work
- 2x off-camera speedlights on light stands in opposite corners
- Wireless trigger to fire all units together
Setup Strategy
-
Scout the Venue
Arrive early and identify power outlets, ceiling height, and ambient light sources.
-
Position Corner Lights
Place off-camera flashes in opposite corners, angled toward the dance floor at ~45 degrees.
-
Set Power Levels
Start with corner lights at 1/4 power, on-camera at 1/8. Adjust based on test shots.
-
Add Gels If Needed
Match flash color to ambient tungsten lights with CTO gels to avoid mixed color temperatures.
Hawaii Lighting Considerations
- Intense Sun: Hawaii's sun is harsh, especially midday. HSS flash is essential for outdoor portraits to fill shadows without blown highlights.
- Golden Hour Glory: Hawaii's golden hour is spectacular. Position couples with sun behind them and add a touch of fill flash to illuminate faces.
- Beach Reflections: Sand acts as a natural reflector, bouncing light up into shadow areas. Use this to your advantage.
- Wind: Light stands and modifiers can become kites in trade winds. Use sandbags and choose low-profile modifiers.
- Equipment Protection: Salt air and sand are enemies of electronics. Protect flash units and store them properly.
Recommended Lighting Starter Kit
Here's a practical starter kit for wedding photography:
- 2x Godox V1 or TT685 II speedlights (~$250-520)
- Godox XPro wireless trigger (~$70)
- 2x Light stands (~$60)
- Basic diffuser dome (~$15)
- 5-in-1 reflector (~$30)
- CTO gel pack (~$15)
Total Investment: $450-750
This kit handles 90% of wedding lighting scenarios. Expand with an AD200 strobe and softbox as your business grows.
Summary
Lighting equipment gives you control when available light fails. Start with reliable speedlights and basic modifiers, learn to bounce and diffuse, and expand your kit as you master the fundamentals.
The best lighting is often invisible—your goal is to enhance the moment, not overpower it. Learn to see light, work with what's available, and supplement only when necessary.