Best Detroit Photographers Mary DuPrie
Lots of new stuff going on at the studio. One of the biggest changes is my lighting. I bought two Profoto 500w d1air kits. The airs have the remote built right in. No more sync cords or pocket wizards. I love them… would love to have a third kit! I noticed looking up the links for this post the the prices just went up like crazy. Last week they were $2,479 tonight they are $2,799!
I made a miss step first, I purchased 4 Einsteins units from Pall Buff and I have to say I was disappointed. I bought the lights and tons of accessories for them. I ended up sending everything back except 4 softboxes with grids. Their softboxes and grids are certainly priced right.
I like that the Buff softboxes collapse and have the speed ring built in. I bought a special adaptor to attach to the Buff softbox so I can use them with my Profotos. I also purchased the frosted domes for the D1’s for better light spread. The control panel is a breeze to use and I feel comfortable taking them on location right away.
I bought the lights for location work so I can save time if/when I’m working alone. I have to say I love them for the studio. I did the shoot above this week using two rim lights which are always tricky. Executives have a short window of time and it was nice not to walk back to power up and down three lights!
It’s hard to get an executive to come to the studio because they’re crazy busy. I offer custom backgrounds and sets that just couldn’t be duplicated on location though so I’m definitely building up a clientele based on my whole package. I’m doing “my” style versus following the same ole same ole.
John O’Connor is CEO of www.lumenlegel.com. The company wants me to do all the execs, the images don’t have to be matchie matchie… just have the same sensibility to them. They said they were looking for “conservative edgy”. Interesting label. Lately I’ve been doing two looks for execs, one a formal (a combination portrait/headshot) and a more casual look.
I have to say it’s a nice change of pace from just doing models.
what did you use for the key light?
The Einsteins just didn’t work. They seemed to fire, then not, then fired. It was a few problems. I thought the commander was confusing also. I just didn’t feel confidant to bring them on location.
No comparison to my new d1 airs. Easy to use, worth the $$$
Hi Mary,
Might be worth while having a future blog post on your lighting – like those above I’m curious about what’s behind your statements on the PCB’s and the Air’s (I own neither, but have thought about both from time to time).
~mike
Hey Mary. Good info, great pix. In case anyone is interested, with the ASMP (www.asmp.org) discount I found the kit online today for $2303 at a major pro supplier. That would more than pay a member’s dues and still have some walking around money… sweet!
I have a feeling it is a short lived oversight… you do get a discount, which I’ve used in the past but it’s much smaller than that.
Terrific portraits. What did you not like about the Einsteins? I don’t have any but have considered purchasing them.
I’m curious as to why you returned the Einstein’s. I realize they aren’t Profotos, but interested in your review of them.
frank t recently posted..Maternity and Family Portraits
It is great to see that Exceutives are starting to realize that they can look like movie stars too.
Aloha Mary,
Great stuff as usual. I really like your idea of mixing up the looks a bit instead of the same old corp shot.
Just wondering, what didn’t you like about the Einsteins that made you send them back? I’m using a bunch of Alien Bees and thinking to upgrade to Einstein or maybe Elinchroms in the near future.
Mary,
Glad to have you back after the month long absent . It was a daunting dry spell but I now have a smile plastered on my face with your return.
Welcome back