Photographing tasteful portraits or photojournalistic moments with the subjects in the shower can be tricky. The lack of space and good available light are primary challenges, but other challenges to consider include the subject’s comfort with showing so much skin and creative ways to conceal parts of the body that you don’t want exposed. In this video and article tutorial, we’ll give you tips and tricks for shower photoshoots. While the subject matter is a groom on his wedding day, you can apply these concepts to any type of creative shower photography. And as always, we promise to keep it PG.
Watch the full shower photoshoot video
See the full video below where Pye demonstrates and explains how to use flash photography in the shower. This is a video directly from our “Photographing the Groom” workshop in SLR Lounge Premium.
Shower photoshoot tips
If the title wasn’t attention-grabbing enough, here’s a breakdown of the objective. Journalistic photography involves being present in a scene, witnessing actions as they happen, and capturing them in real time. To achieve this, photographers must constantly seek moments throughout the day that narrate the events while preserving a candid, journalistic style.
The photographer, acting as a voyeur, typically does not interact directly with the subject, who is often unaware of being observed. For a scene like this, the subject was simply given an action — such as showering or shaving — and instructed to carry it out as naturally as possible. This approach is referred to as “assisted photojournalism,” where the photographer takes on the role of a subtle director, guiding the scene while capturing authentic moments as they unfold.
Make safety a priority
Bathrooms are small and full of water, which can be hazardous for equipment. Use waterproof housings or covers for your gear and avoid placing flashes or other electrical equipment where they could come into contact with water. Ensure cables and stands are secure and out of the way to prevent accidents.
Prepare the right gear for the shower photoshoot
- Gorilla Pod
- Mag Grid and Orange CTO Gel
- Tether Tools RapidMount SLX
- Phottix Mitros+ TTL Flash
- Gaffer Tape (Black)
Update: Another great tool to use is the new Frio Cold Shoe Mount. Read our review here.
Use reflections creatively
Bathrooms often have reflective surfaces like mirrors, tiles, and glass. These can add depth and layers to your composition. Use the reflections to frame your subject or to capture multiple angles in a single shot. Be mindful of unwanted reflections of equipment or yourself, and adjust your positioning accordingly.
Position flash as needed
If natural light is available, use it to add a soft, organic feel to the image. Combine it with your off-camera flash by adjusting the flash power and positioning to ensure the two light sources blend naturally. This can help create a more balanced look, even in a small, artificially lit space.
The overhead canned lights in the bathroom often provide a flat and even light source that, by itself, lacks interest and depth. Position your flash or modifiers to enhance shadow play on the subject or surrounding surfaces for a dramatic effect.
There are two common methods for mounting a flash to a surface:
- Gaffer Tape: While not visually appealing, it is highly effective at securing the flash and is an essential tool to keep on hand.
- Tether Tools: The RapidMount SLX provides a bungee cord for securing the flash and an adhesive strip for mounting it on smooth surfaces.
Determine camera and flash settings
Once the flash is mounted, adjust your settings to achieve proper flash sync speed, ensuring the shutter speed is set at 1/200th of a second or lower. For the images in this article, the setup included a Canon 5D Mark III with a Sigma 24mm f/1.4 lens, using the following settings:
- 1/200th of a second
- f/2.2 aperture
- ISO 100
Add gels and flash grids as needed
Positioning the flash correctly was only the first step in optimizing the light. It was also essential to determine whether a gel was needed to match the existing light, if a grid was required to focus the light and prevent spill, and the appropriate power setting to achieve the desired illumination on the subject.
Control fog and steam
Foggy shower glass can evoke a sense of mystery and intimacy, but too much steam can obscure the subject entirely. To maintain control, run the shower just long enough to create a light fog. Alternatively, use a spritz of water on glass to mimic the effect without relying on steam.
Bonus: follow up with a shaving scene (similar lighting)
Once the camera and flash settings are dialed in, maximize the opportunity by capturing more moments and images to tell a complete story.
For these scenes we were operating at around 1/32nd to 1/64th flash power, keeping in mind that the flash is being used to illuminate our subject since our overall exposure is on the darker side. Here, we set the flash on the shadowed side of the face to clearly show the subject in the mirror reflection.
Putting it all together
Photographing tasteful shower portraits or journalistic moments adds a unique and often overlooked element to groom coverage. The challenges of limited space, tricky lighting, and subject comfort are real, but each one is solvable with the right tools and a clear plan before you walk into that bathroom.
From mounting your flash with gaffer tape or Tether Tools, to controlling steam and working the mirror reflections, these techniques apply whether you’re shooting a groom on his wedding day or any other creative session in a tight, wet environment. Get the safety squared away first, dial in your sync speed, add a gel if the color needs it, and then focus on capturing something genuine. The best shower photoshoot images look like you weren’t even there.
Watch the full video above for a live demonstration of every step from Pye.
