Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Have you ever taken a portrait outdoors that looks… fine? Nice location, natural light but something just feels a bit flat.
In this video photographer Gavin Hoey shows you a simple way to take control of your outdoor portraits using just one small speedlight.
Gavin starts by choosing a location with open shade, a clean background and enough distance to create a soft, blurred look. From there, he’ll show you how slightly underexposing the ambient light helps create shape and depth before you even introduce flash.
Then Gavin build things up step by step:
• Starting with on-camera flash as a simple first step
• Moving to off-camera flash for more control and direction
• Adding a softbox to create softer, more natural-looking light
• Finishing with a simple prop to add a bit of story
The goal isn’t to make your portraits look “flashy”, it’s to make them look better, while still feeling natural.
If you’ve been relying on available light and wondering why your images don’t quite match what you see in your head, this is a great place to start.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:25 Why this location works
1:28 Underexpose the background
2:20 On camera flash portrait
2:53 Gear for off camera flash
3:36 1st off camera flash photo
4:16 Adding a softbox
4:54 Set flash power for your subject
5:49 Location portraits with flash photo session
6:39 Add a prop
7:04 Conclusions and Subscribe
SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:
➥ youtube.com/user/adoramaTV
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Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! adorama.com/MyAccount/Login
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Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: adorama.com/g/adorama-credit.
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✘ GEAR USED:
Flashpoint Zoom Li-Ion III R2 TTL Flash Kit for Canon Cameras, Godox Ving V860III C
adorama.com/flashpoint-zoom-lion-iii-r2-ttl-flash-canon-godox-v860iii/p/fplfsmzlciii
Glow EZ Lock Collapsible Silver Beauty Dish (25")
adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-collapsible-beauty-dish-25-silver-bowens-mount/p/glbdez25s
Glow S2 Round Flash S-type Bowens Mount Bracket for Round Head Flashes (Godox S2)
adorama.com/glow-s2-round-flash-bracket-bowens-mount-godox/p/glbdsm02pro
Flashpoint R2 Pro MarkII Professional 2.4 GHz TTL Wireless Flash Trigger for Canon
adorama.com/flashpoint-r2-pro-markii-wireless-flash-trigger-canon/p/fprrr2procii
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II Mirrorless Camera
adorama.com/om-system-om-1-mark-ii-mirrorless-camera-body-only/p/iomom1m2
OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO Lens for Micro Four Thirds, Black
adorama.com/om-system-m-zuiko-digital-ed-45-mm-f-1-2-pro-lens/p/om4512
Tether Tools TetherPro Optima 10G 15' USB-C Straight to USB-C Right Angle Cable, Orange
adorama.com/tether-tools-tetherpro-optima-10g-15-ft-usb-c-right-angle-cable/p/ttcuc15rtg2o
Tether Tools AeroTrac Workstation System
adorama.com/tether-tools-aerotrac-workstation-system-mounting-hardware/p/ttatws
#gavinhoey #speedlight #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ TikTok tiktok.com/@adoramanyc
➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
➥ Instagram instagram.com/adorama
➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord adorama.com/discord
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
➥ Shop adorama.com
➥ Blog adorama.com/alc
➥ Adorama Events youtube.com/@AdoramaEvents
__________________________________
Follow Gavin Hoey on
instagram.com/thegavinhoey
Model: Chloe Kerley
instagram.com/chloemkerley
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
Have you ever taken a portrait outdoors that looks… fine? Nice location, natural light but something just feels a bit flat.
In this video photographer Gavin Hoey shows you a simple way to take control of your outdoor portraits using just one small speedlight.
Gavin starts by choosing a location with open shade, a clean background and enough distance to create a soft, blurred look. From there, he’ll show you how slightly underexposing the ambient light helps create shape and depth before you even introduce flash.
Then Gavin build things up step by step:
• Starting with on-camera flash as a simple first step
• Moving to off-camera flash for more control and direction
• Adding a softbox to create softer, more natural-looking light
• Finishing with a simple prop to add a bit of story
The goal isn’t to make your portraits look “flashy”, it’s to make them look better, while still feeling natural.
If you’ve been relying on available light and wondering why your images don’t quite match what you see in your head, this is a great place to start.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:25 Why this location works
1:28 Underexpose the background
2:20 On camera flash portrait
2:53 Gear for off camera flash
3:36 1st off camera flash photo
4:16 Adding a softbox
4:54 Set flash power for your subject
5:49 Location portraits with flash photo session
6:39 Add a prop
7:04 Conclusions and Subscribe
SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:
➥ youtube.com/user/adoramaTV
__________________________________
Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! adorama.com/MyAccount/Login
🔷
Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: adorama.com/g/adorama-credit.
__________________________________
✘ GEAR USED:
Flashpoint Zoom Li-Ion III R2 TTL Flash Kit for Canon Cameras, Godox Ving V860III C
adorama.com/flashpoint-zoom-lion-iii-r2-ttl-flash-canon-godox-v860iii/p/fplfsmzlciii
Glow EZ Lock Collapsible Silver Beauty Dish (25")
adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-collapsible-beauty-dish-25-silver-bowens-mount/p/glbdez25s
Glow S2 Round Flash S-type Bowens Mount Bracket for Round Head Flashes (Godox S2)
adorama.com/glow-s2-round-flash-bracket-bowens-mount-godox/p/glbdsm02pro
Flashpoint R2 Pro MarkII Professional 2.4 GHz TTL Wireless Flash Trigger for Canon
adorama.com/flashpoint-r2-pro-markii-wireless-flash-trigger-canon/p/fprrr2procii
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II Mirrorless Camera
adorama.com/om-system-om-1-mark-ii-mirrorless-camera-body-only/p/iomom1m2
OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO Lens for Micro Four Thirds, Black
adorama.com/om-system-m-zuiko-digital-ed-45-mm-f-1-2-pro-lens/p/om4512
Tether Tools TetherPro Optima 10G 15' USB-C Straight to USB-C Right Angle Cable, Orange
adorama.com/tether-tools-tetherpro-optima-10g-15-ft-usb-c-right-angle-cable/p/ttcuc15rtg2o
Tether Tools AeroTrac Workstation System
adorama.com/tether-tools-aerotrac-workstation-system-mounting-hardware/p/ttatws
#gavinhoey #speedlight #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ TikTok tiktok.com/@adoramanyc
➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
➥ Instagram instagram.com/adorama
➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord adorama.com/discord
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
➥ Shop adorama.com
➥ Blog adorama.com/alc
➥ Adorama Events youtube.com/@AdoramaEvents
__________________________________
Follow Gavin Hoey on
instagram.com/thegavinhoey
Model: Chloe Kerley
instagram.com/chloemkerley
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
