Studio Quality White Background Portraits (No Studio Required!) with Gavin Hoey

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: ➥ https://www.youtube.com/user/adoramaTV __________________________________ Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! https://www.adorama.com/MyAccount/Login 🔷 Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: https://www.adorama.com/g/adorama-credit. __________________________________ ✘ GEAR USED: Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Pro II https://www.adorama.com/fplfev200pii.html Flashpoint XPLOR 100 Pro https://www.adorama.com/fplfx100pt.html Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III R2 TTL Speedlight https://www.adorama.com/fplfsmzloiii.html Glow S2 Round Flash S-type Bowens Mount Bracket https://www.adorama.com/glbdsm02pro.html Glow EZ Lock 12x36" Quick Strip Softbox https://www.adorama.com/glsbez1236.html Flashpoint Nano Light Stand https://www.adorama.com/fpls8n.html OM SYSTEM OM-1 https://www.adorama.com/iomom1.html OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II https://www.adorama.com/iom1240pb.html Flashpoint R2 Pro Transmitter https://www.adorama.com/fprrr2proo.html Sekonic L-308 Flash Meter https://www.adorama.com/sksk401305.html Glow CBA-TA0018 5x6.5' Fabric Collapsible Backdrop, Abstract Textured https://www.adorama.com/glcbata0018.html Tether Tools TetherPro Optima 10G 15' USB-C Straight to USB-C Right Angle Cable, Orange https://www.adorama.com/ttcuc15rtg2o.html Tether Tools AeroTrac Workstation System https://www.adorama.com/ttatws.html #gavinhoey #studiophotography #adorama __________________________________ ❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏ ➥ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@adoramanyc ➥ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/adorama/ ➥ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/adorama/ ➥ X https://x.com/adorama ➥ Discord https://www.adorama.com/discord ❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏ ➥ Shop https://www.adorama.com/ ➥ Blog https://www.adorama.com/alc/ ➥ Adorama Events https://www.youtube.com/@AdoramaEvents __________________________________ Follow Gavin Hoey https://www.instagram.com/thegavinhoey Model and MUA Charlotte https://www.instagram.com/charlotte_ameliaax __________________________________ THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!