Join Photo Insiders
The Joy Blog

Flash Photography fun with Profoto B10 and Canon R5

english photography tips posing + portraits
Shooting rain shots at night

Hey there! I'm Vanessa Joy, and today, we're diving into some flash photography fun using the Profoto B10 and Canon R5. While we initially planned to play in the rain, Mother Nature had other ideas, so we decided to create our own rain. Let me walk you through the shoot and share some tips on how you can get creative with flash, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Creating a Rain Effect Without Rain

So, here's the scenario: no rain, no problem! We decided to use a hose to simulate rain. Why? Because sometimes you just have to make your own magic! We handed the hose over to our model and asked her to spray it around while dancing, creating this dynamic, fun "rain" effect. The Profoto B10 was the perfect companion for this shoot, allowing me to capture every droplet in stunning detail.

When you're trying this at home, the key is to direct the "rain" just right. You want to keep the water in the background but not so close that it drenches your subject (or your camera!). As we worked, I instructed the model to kick her foot up and throw the water over her shoulder, creating that perfect splash. It took a few tries, but once we got the pressure right, the results were spectacular.

 

The Power of Profoto B10 and Canon R5

For this shoot, I used the Canon R5 paired with the Profoto B10, which is an absolute beast when it comes to handling challenging lighting scenarios. The B10’s versatility allowed me to freeze the motion of the water while still keeping the background beautifully illuminated. The key is to balance your light so that it highlights your subject without washing out the water droplets. A slow shutter speed also added a creative blur to the movement, making the shots even more dynamic.

Pro Tip: Experiment with your light placements. For this shoot, I positioned one light behind the model to backlight the water, giving it that magical glow.

Editing the Final Images

After the shoot, I jumped into editing, and let me tell you, it was all about refining those details. I used Evoto for some quick AI-assisted color grading and my go-to presets to smooth out skin and enhance the overall look. My "Perfect Portrait" preset worked wonders here, giving the image a polished finish without losing that natural feel.

 

One of the challenges was dealing with stray hairs and those small imperfections that can distract from the final image. With just a few tweaks, like reducing the highlights and adjusting the clarity, I was able to get that clean, crisp look I love. Oh, and don’t forget to play around with black and white edits! Sometimes, they can transform a good photo into a great one.

Final Thoughts and a Little Secret

This shoot was just pure fun—getting creative with water, playing with light, and pushing the limits of what you can do with a flash in an unconventional setup. If you're curious about more behind-the-scenes content like this, or if you want to dive deeper into mastering your photography skills, I have something special for you.

I run a master educational community called Photo Insiders. It’s where I share exclusive content, including in-depth tutorials on lighting, posing, and real-life client shoots. It's a place where you can ask questions, join live group coaching calls, and learn alongside other passionate photographers. Trust me, it's the resource I wish I had when I started 20 years ago.

So, if you’re ready to elevate your photography game, join me and the amazing community at Photo Insiders. You'll not only improve your craft but also connect with like-minded creatives who will help you grow your business.

Thanks for joining me on this creative journey today. I can’t wait to see what you create with the Profoto B10 and Canon R5. See you next time!

Ready to learn more?

Take the free Speed Posing 101 class

Learn how to pose individuals, couples, and groups with precision and speed. This free class will help you shoot with confidence no matter the situation and consistently wow your clients with a variety of stunning images.

Take the free class

Latest from the blog

Want BREATHTAKING Beach Photos? Watch This Croatia Photoshoot Now!

Mixing Natural Light with Flash Photography | Canon + Profoto

How to Pose a Bride | Wedding Photography Tutorial


Meet Vanessa

Photography education that gives your art an edge

Vanessa has been photographing weddings, events, portraits and lifestyle for over 20 years.

She's a Canon Explorer of Light, an honor given to only 5 photographers in the United States, and her work has been published by Yahoo! News, Grace Ormonde, Style Me Pretty, Rangefinder and more.

With her practical and open-book style of teaching, she shares everything she knows with hundreds of thousands of photographers as an educator and influential sparker.

Work with Vanessa →

Join Vanessa Joy's Photo Insiders

Come sit at our “lunch table” and learn with top-notch video lessons released monthly, a private community and live photoshoots. Join our live group coaching calls, request videos, and get your individual questions answered.

Become a member

Free downloads

Don't leave without your goody bag
Free Preset

Steal my favorite preset

Save time editing with this preset that I personally use on my outdoor photos to brighten and warm up the scene.

i'm ready

Free guide

The Posing Inspiration Guide

Use my poses that your clients will love. Swipe ideas for posing individuals, couples, groups, and details.

yup, i need it

Free Class

Speed Posing 101

Struggling feeling confident shooting, delivering a variety of images, and posing with precision and speed? This is for you!

let's do this!

Get photography tips and resources

Join our email list to get it all directly in your inbox.