Before we dive in today, I’d love to invite you to attend our FREE Flash Webinar on November 18 or 19:

When it comes to photography, and especially the Flash tools we use, my philosophy is “less is more”. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably started to realize you need to learn to shoot with flash. However, the thought of all the extra Flash gear you’ll have to carry around may be intimidating. I feel you on that, friend, however, there’s hope! Allow to me lighten your load right out of the gate: Your gear is meant to be a tool used to accomplish a specific purpose. My belief is that purpose is serving our clients, therefore choosing gear that keeps my focus on the client and not the gear itself is very important!

Here are 3 Flash tools, or pieces of gear, that make my life way easier on wedding day. I’ve also included Amazon links, in case you want to pick one or more of them up today!

Flash Tool #1: 13-Foot Drop Stand

If I’m being candid, lighting stands are annoying, but essential. They’re typically big, awkward, and can be a pain to set up, and move around throughout the night. If I’m going to use one, I want it to be as simple as possible!

I love the Savage Drop Stand. Every time you pick it up to move it, the legs collapse, hugging the center pole. This gives the stand a smaller footprint, making it easier to weave in and out of tables and guests. When I get the stand to its new location, the legs spread out automatically as I set it down again!

Flash Tool #2: Umbrella

Confession: I don’t typically shoot with an umbrella on wedding day. 99.99% of my Flash images use an on-camera Flash to light the subject. BUT, if I’ve got an outdoor, night-time wedding, and I want to create a soft light on special moments like the first dance, toasts, parent dances, etc., an umbrella becomes ESSENTIAL. In this scenario, it allows me to create photos that look soft and beautiful and natural, even outdoors!

Flash Tool #3: Dual Flash Head

If you have 2 shooters and you both shoot with multiple flashes, this ExMax Dual Hot Shoe is a life- saver! Everywhere you set up an off-camera Flash, put one of these on the stand. Then, you and your second shooter can both have a Flash in the same spaces at the same times, cutting your need for lighting stands in half!

In our Flash Course, I go in to more detail on these and other tools, as well as how to set them up and utilize them for maximum effectiveness, but hopefully this gets you pointed in the right direction when looking for Flash tools that will make your life WAY easier!