Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Starting your first portrait photography session can feel intimidating… so here’s a simple trick to build confidence fast: steal an idea.
In this video, photographer Gavin Hoey shows you how to take inspiration from a single image, break it down into what you love and then recreate it in your own way. From borrowing the basic theme to analysing the lighting this approach helps remove guesswork, focuses you pre-shoot testing and replaces it with confidence.
Using a one-light portrait setup, Gavin recreates the essence of a reference image (with a few creative twists), then puts it into practice during a real studio portrait session. And because no session ever goes perfectly, you’ll also see how to troubleshoot when things go wrong… Gavin’s advice? Don’t panic, even when the flash doesn’t fire.
You’ll learn:
- How to analyse and recreate a portrait setup
- Why testing before your photo session is key to confidence
- A simple one-flash lighting setup for beginners
- What to do when your flash doesn’t fire
- How working with an experienced model can improve your results
- How to get multiple looks from one setup in a small home studio
If you’re new to portrait photography or feeling unsure about your first photo session, this is a practical, real-world way to get started.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:23 Borrow the essence of a photo
1:22 Importance of lighting test photos
2:31 Your first photo session
3:25 Troubleshooting flash didn’t fire
4:46 Why this look?
5:40 Photo session with pre-tested look
6:24 Photo session with a simple twist
7:03 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 eVOLV 200 Pro II R2 TTL Pocket Flash , Godox AD200Pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-evolv-200-pro-ii-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad200pro-ii/p/fplfev200pii
Flashpoint R2 XPro II TTL Wireless Flash Trigger for Olympus and Panasonic Cameras, Godox XProII-O
adorama.com/flashpoint-r2-xpro-ii-ttl-wireless-flash-trigger-olympus-panasonic/p/fprrxproiio
Glow EZ Lock Quick Rectangle Softbox With Bowens Mount (24 x 36")
adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-quick-rectangle-softbox-bowens-mount-24-36-inch/p/glsbez2436
Flashpoint 10' C (Century) Light Stand on Turtle Base Kit w/40" Grip Arm & 2 Gobo Heads and Baby Pin - Chrome
adorama.com/flashpoint-10-foot-c-stand-turtle-base-kit-grip-arm-chrome/p/fplsc
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 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II Lens
adorama.com/om-system-m-zuiko-12-40-mm-f-2-8-pro-ii-lens/p/iom1240pb
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
#studiophotography #studiolighting #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 and MUA Sophie Daly
instagram.com/sophie_daly
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
Starting your first portrait photography session can feel intimidating… so here’s a simple trick to build confidence fast: steal an idea.
In this video, photographer Gavin Hoey shows you how to take inspiration from a single image, break it down into what you love and then recreate it in your own way. From borrowing the basic theme to analysing the lighting this approach helps remove guesswork, focuses you pre-shoot testing and replaces it with confidence.
Using a one-light portrait setup, Gavin recreates the essence of a reference image (with a few creative twists), then puts it into practice during a real studio portrait session. And because no session ever goes perfectly, you’ll also see how to troubleshoot when things go wrong… Gavin’s advice? Don’t panic, even when the flash doesn’t fire.
You’ll learn:
- How to analyse and recreate a portrait setup
- Why testing before your photo session is key to confidence
- A simple one-flash lighting setup for beginners
- What to do when your flash doesn’t fire
- How working with an experienced model can improve your results
- How to get multiple looks from one setup in a small home studio
If you’re new to portrait photography or feeling unsure about your first photo session, this is a practical, real-world way to get started.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:23 Borrow the essence of a photo
1:22 Importance of lighting test photos
2:31 Your first photo session
3:25 Troubleshooting flash didn’t fire
4:46 Why this look?
5:40 Photo session with pre-tested look
6:24 Photo session with a simple twist
7:03 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 R2 TTL Pocket Flash , Godox AD200Pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-evolv-200-pro-ii-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad200pro-ii/p/fplfev200pii
Flashpoint R2 XPro II TTL Wireless Flash Trigger for Olympus and Panasonic Cameras, Godox XProII-O
adorama.com/flashpoint-r2-xpro-ii-ttl-wireless-flash-trigger-olympus-panasonic/p/fprrxproiio
Glow EZ Lock Quick Rectangle Softbox With Bowens Mount (24 x 36")
adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-quick-rectangle-softbox-bowens-mount-24-36-inch/p/glsbez2436
Flashpoint 10' C (Century) Light Stand on Turtle Base Kit w/40" Grip Arm & 2 Gobo Heads and Baby Pin - Chrome
adorama.com/flashpoint-10-foot-c-stand-turtle-base-kit-grip-arm-chrome/p/fplsc
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 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II Lens
adorama.com/om-system-m-zuiko-12-40-mm-f-2-8-pro-ii-lens/p/iom1240pb
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
#studiophotography #studiolighting #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 and MUA Sophie Daly
instagram.com/sophie_daly
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
