Lighting Technique Q&A: Rooftop Pool Shot

QUESTION:
How did you light them on the pool shot?

(Posted on Open Source Photo by Jill Higgins)

ANSWER
This is on the top of the Mid City Lofts, which is called "Sky," right across from The Biltmore, which is where this couple's wedding took place. The couple hangs out at a little pub next to Mid City Lofts and have become friends with people who live in the Lofts — thus the access to the roof.

This is actually a rare shoot where we lit almost the entire shoot. For engagment shoots, I typically try to use as much available light as possible, but frequently use a reflector and of course sometimes strobes and bigger lights. It just depends on the couple, the location and complexity of what we're trying to do. For most of these shots, especially the ones outside near the pool at dusk, I triggered two Canon 550 speedlights bounced out of an umbrella with a 580 on camera. Denis Reggie's Dual Flash Bracket has become an integral part of our lighting bag since we started using it earlier this year.