Today, we’re diving into a brilliant topic—literally! If you’ve followed my education for any length of time, you know my students and fellow educators refer to me as “The King of Flash” because of how simple my Flash Course has made it to learn Flash photography. Most of my education on this topic in my early years centered around shooting with Flash at weddings, but did you know the MAJORITY of my Flash usage comes  in the College & Sorority World?

In the next few paragraphs, I want to show you how  mastering Flash photography can dramatically elevate your College & Sorority work, especially when the sun goes down. From glittering evening events to executive team portraits in the cozy indoors, using Flash effectively can not only enhance your photos but also expand your business opportunities. Here’s how I use Flash to make a ton of money in the niche of College & Sorority photography!

1. Sorority Evening Events

Many sorority events take place in the evening when natural light is scarce. Whether it’s a formal banquet, a charity gala, or an informal gathering, knowing how to use Flash can make all the difference:

Bounce Flash for Formals: Use a bounce Flash technique, where you direct your Flash towards a ceiling or wall to create a softer, more diffused light that flatters your subjects and minimizes harsh shadows.

Shoot Direct when Necessary: Don’t shy away from  pointing your Flash directly at your subjects. The direct Flash look is very en vogue right now!

Off-Camera Flash for Creative Effects: Position an off-camera Flash to enhance the background or to spotlight key elements, adding depth and drama to your shots.

2. Indoor Shoots for Executive Teams

We’re coming on Daylight Savings time, which means early sunsets and cooler temps are just around the corner! Winter months often push photography indoors, where natural light can be limited. Executive team photos for sorority and fraternity leadership often fall in this window of the year at many schools. Here are a couple considerations:

Bring a Softbox or Umbrella: Utilize a softbox or an umbrella with your Flash to produce even, flattering light that softens features and minimizes blemishes, ideal for professional portraits.

Multi-Flash Setups: If your resources allow, you can set up multiple Flashes to ensure the light is evenly distributed, eliminating any unwanted shadows and providing a balanced look, or simply adding a brilliant rim of light to separate your subject from the background!

3. Creative Sessions at Night on Campus

Nighttime provides a unique backdrop for creative sessions, especially on a beautifully lit college campus. These sessions can be quite magical and highly marketable:

Long Exposure with Flash: Combine long exposure techniques with Flash to capture the ambient lights of the campus while using the Flash to freeze your subject in the foreground. This technique creates a vibrant, energetic feel in your photos.

Gelled Flashes for Color Effects: Use colored gels on your Flashes to add unique color splashes that can turn a standard shot at one of your campuses signature locations into something breathtaking that will really POP on social media!.