Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Creating a clean, pure white background might look simple, but achieving it in camera takes careful planning, especially when working in a real living space.
In this video, photographer and educator Gavin Hoey shows how to create studio quality white background portraits using limited space and minimal gear. Working from a real living room setup, Gavin explains why the background light needs to be dialed in first, demonstrating how both too much and too little light can quickly ruin the effect.
Once the background is lit, Gavin builds the portrait look up step by step, adding the key light and a simple white tabletop made from glossy acrylic to introduce subtle reflections and give the image a polished studio feel.
The session finishes with a quick look at Photoshop Camera Raw (the same techniques also apply to Lightroom Classic), where a few simple adjustments help refine the edges and elevate the final image, turning a temporary home setup into a professional looking studio portrait.
If you’re working in tight spaces and want clean, modern results without a dedicated studio, this video shows how thoughtful lighting and simple tools can make all the difference.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:09 Flash for the background
2:09 How much background light for white
3:48 Profile portrait photo session
5:01 Adding a white table top
5:40 Setting the key light exposure
6:58 Making an evenly lit white background
8:24 Photo session with a pure white table top
9:22 Cleaning up the background in Camera RAW
11:05 Extening the background in Photoshop
11:37 Conclusions and Subscribe
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➥ 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 eVOLV 200 Pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-evolv-200-pro-ii-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad200pro-ii/p/fplfev200pii
Flashpoint XPLOR 100 Pro
adorama.com/flashpoint-xplor-100-pro-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad100pro/p/fplfx100pt
Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III R2 TTL Speedlight
adorama.com/flashpoint-zoom-li-on-iii-r2-ttl-flash-olympus-panasonic-godox-v860iii/p/fplfsmzloiii
Glow S2 Round Flash S-type Bowens Mount Bracket
adorama.com/glow-s2-round-flash-bracket-bowens-mount-godox/p/glbdsm02pro
Glow EZ Lock 12x36" Quick Strip Softbox
adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-12-x-36-inch-quick-strip-bowens-softbox/p/glsbez1236
Flashpoint Nano Light Stand
adorama.com/flashpoint-reverse-legs-nano-light-stand-8-5-ft/p/fpls8n
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 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II
adorama.com/om-system-m-zuiko-12-40-mm-f-2-8-pro-ii-lens/p/iom1240pb
Flashpoint R2 Pro Transmitter
adorama.com/flashpoint-ft433c-ttl-wireless-flash-trigger-canon-godox-433mhz/p/fprrft433c
Sekonic L-308 Flash Meter
adorama.com/sekonic-l-308x-u-flashmate-digital-light-meter/p/sksk401305
Glow CBA-TA0018 5x6.5' Fabric Collapsible Backdrop, Abstract Textured
adorama.com/glow-cba-ta0018-5-x-6-5-ft-fabric-collapsible-backdrop/p/glcbata0018
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 #studiophotography #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
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➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
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Follow Gavin Hoey
instagram.com/thegavinhoey
Model and MUA Charlotte
instagram.com/charlotte_ameliaax
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
Creating a clean, pure white background might look simple, but achieving it in camera takes careful planning, especially when working in a real living space.
In this video, photographer and educator Gavin Hoey shows how to create studio quality white background portraits using limited space and minimal gear. Working from a real living room setup, Gavin explains why the background light needs to be dialed in first, demonstrating how both too much and too little light can quickly ruin the effect.
Once the background is lit, Gavin builds the portrait look up step by step, adding the key light and a simple white tabletop made from glossy acrylic to introduce subtle reflections and give the image a polished studio feel.
The session finishes with a quick look at Photoshop Camera Raw (the same techniques also apply to Lightroom Classic), where a few simple adjustments help refine the edges and elevate the final image, turning a temporary home setup into a professional looking studio portrait.
If you’re working in tight spaces and want clean, modern results without a dedicated studio, this video shows how thoughtful lighting and simple tools can make all the difference.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:09 Flash for the background
2:09 How much background light for white
3:48 Profile portrait photo session
5:01 Adding a white table top
5:40 Setting the key light exposure
6:58 Making an evenly lit white background
8:24 Photo session with a pure white table top
9:22 Cleaning up the background in Camera RAW
11:05 Extening the background in Photoshop
11:37 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 eVOLV 200 Pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-evolv-200-pro-ii-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad200pro-ii/p/fplfev200pii
Flashpoint XPLOR 100 Pro
adorama.com/flashpoint-xplor-100-pro-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad100pro/p/fplfx100pt
Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III R2 TTL Speedlight
adorama.com/flashpoint-zoom-li-on-iii-r2-ttl-flash-olympus-panasonic-godox-v860iii/p/fplfsmzloiii
Glow S2 Round Flash S-type Bowens Mount Bracket
adorama.com/glow-s2-round-flash-bracket-bowens-mount-godox/p/glbdsm02pro
Glow EZ Lock 12x36" Quick Strip Softbox
adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-12-x-36-inch-quick-strip-bowens-softbox/p/glsbez1236
Flashpoint Nano Light Stand
adorama.com/flashpoint-reverse-legs-nano-light-stand-8-5-ft/p/fpls8n
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 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II
adorama.com/om-system-m-zuiko-12-40-mm-f-2-8-pro-ii-lens/p/iom1240pb
Flashpoint R2 Pro Transmitter
adorama.com/flashpoint-ft433c-ttl-wireless-flash-trigger-canon-godox-433mhz/p/fprrft433c
Sekonic L-308 Flash Meter
adorama.com/sekonic-l-308x-u-flashmate-digital-light-meter/p/sksk401305
Glow CBA-TA0018 5x6.5' Fabric Collapsible Backdrop, Abstract Textured
adorama.com/glow-cba-ta0018-5-x-6-5-ft-fabric-collapsible-backdrop/p/glcbata0018
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 #studiophotography #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
instagram.com/thegavinhoey
Model and MUA Charlotte
instagram.com/charlotte_ameliaax
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
