Essential Equipment for the Portrait Photographer (Featuring Westcott)

Westcott FJ400 II Touchscreen Strobe with FJ Pro AC/DC Battery (400Ws)

As a portrait photographer, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that your choice of equipment defines not only your workflow but also the quality of your results. Over the years, I’ve tested and worked with countless lighting systems, modifiers, and accessories, and I always come back to Westcott. Their gear is innovative, reliable, and designed with portrait artists in mind. In fact, I use Westcott exclusively for all my portrait work—whether I’m in the studio or on location.

If you’re building your kit or upgrading your tools, here’s my essential gear list for portrait photographers featuring Westcott’s industry-leading equipment.

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1. Westcott FJ400 II Touchscreen Strobe with FJ Pro AC/DC Battery (400Ws)

Compact Power. Unmatched Reliability.

Westcott FJ400 II Touchscreen Strobe with FJ Pro AC/DC Battery (400Ws)

The FJ400 II is the beating heart of my portrait work. It packs 400Ws of portable flash power into a surprisingly compact unit, making it ideal for both location and studio shoots.

Key reasons I trust the FJ400 II:

• Speed: Industry-leading recycle times of just 0.01–0.9 seconds ensure you never miss a fleeting expression.

• Endurance: With the included FJ Pro AC/DC battery, you’ll get over 550 full-power flashes. On longer days, I always keep spare batteries on hand (see below).

• Consistency: Stable 5500K (±150K) color temperature delivers natural, repeatable results across a session.

• Control: A full-color OLED touchscreen with built-in help guides makes adjustments effortless.

• Flexibility: High-Speed Sync, TTL, Freeze Sync, front/rear curtain sync, and flash durations up to 1/24,000s.

If you want reliability with portability, the FJ400 II is the perfect blend.

👉 Check out the FJ400 II here

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2. J ProMax AC/DC Battery and Power Adapter

Long-Lasting Power for Extended Sessions

J ProMax AC/DC Battery and Power Adapter

For on-location shoots or marathon studio days, extra power is non-negotiable. The J ProMax AC/DC Battery ensures I never run out of juice mid-session.

• 1,000+ full-power flashes per charge with the FJ400 II

• Lightweight and portable at just 2.2 lbs

• Recharge in 3 hours and ready to go again

• Built-in trickle charge keeps your strobe running without downtime

This is an essential add-on for any serious portrait photographer.

👉 Get the J ProMax Battery here

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Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-S

3. Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-S

The Ideal Modifier for Portraits

If there’s one modifier every portrait photographer should own, it’s an octa softbox. The octagonal shape creates soft, even light while leaving a natural, rounded catchlight in your subject’s eyes—just like you’d see in a Vanity Fair cover shoot.

Why I love the Rapid Box Switch Octa-S:

• Fastest setup and breakdown in the industry

• Durable, heat-resistant fabrics for long life

• Bowens-mount compatible with Switch Inserts

• Compact and portable for travel

• Produces that classic flattering glow on skin

I use mine as a key light in nearly every portrait session.

👉 Grab the Rapid Box Octa-S here

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4. Westcott Standard Umbrella – Optical White Satin Diffusion (32")

4. Westcott Standard Umbrella – Optical White Satin Diffusion (32")

Soften and Expand Your Light

For quick, lightweight setups, nothing beats a diffusion umbrella. I use Westcott’s 32" Optical White Satin Umbrella for:

• Soft, broad fill light

• Beautiful, natural-looking catchlights

• Lightweight, portable construction with durable fiberglass ribs

Perfect for travel, quick portraits, or when you need a softer touch to balance shadows.

👉 Shop the Diffusion Umbrella here

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5. Westcott Air-Cushioned Heavy-Duty Light Stand (8')

Secure Light Placement

Westcott Air-Cushioned Heavy-Duty Light Stand (8')

Never skimp on stands. A solid, reliable stand protects your strobes, modifiers, and ultimately your subjects. Westcott’s Air-Cushioned Heavy-Duty Stand is my go-to.

• Extends to 8 feet tall, folds to under 4 feet for travel

• Air-cushioning protects your gear during adjustments

• Supports up to 13 lbs—plenty for strobes + modifiers

• Thick aluminum tubing, matte black finish (no reflections!)

👉 See the Heavy-Duty Stand here

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6. Westcott FJ-X3 Wireless Flash Trigger

Westcott FJ-X3 Wireless Flash Trigger

Seamless Multi-Brand Compatibility

A great flash system is nothing without a reliable trigger. The FJ-X3 Wireless Trigger syncs flawlessly across Canon, Nikon, Sony (manual), Fuji, Lumix, and Olympus.

• Range of up to 985 feet

• TTL, HSS, Freeze, and multiple sync modes

• Controls up to 6 groups / 32 channels

• Long-lasting removable battery with USB-C charging

• Bluetooth app integration for even more features

It’s the brain of my lighting system and has never let me down.

👉 Explore the FJ-X3 Trigger here

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7.Westcott Illuminator QuickGrip 5-in-1 Reflector (50")

Westcott Illuminator QuickGrip 5-in-1 Reflector (50")

Lighting gear is the backbone of portrait photography, but sometimes the most powerful tools are also the simplest. One piece of equipment I never leave behind is the Westcott Illuminator QuickGrip 5-in-1 Reflector (50"). Compact, versatile, and budget-friendly, it gives me an incredible amount of control over my lighting—whether I’m shooting in the studio or chasing natural light on location.

Why Every Portrait Photographer Needs a Reflector

Reflectors are often underestimated, but they can transform your portraits. With a single tool, you can:

• Fill in shadows for a balanced, polished look

• Create natural catchlights in the eyes

• Bounce sunlight or strobe light to flatter your subject

• Diffuse harsh light into something soft and usable

• Subtract light for added drama and contrast

Unlike strobes or continuous lights, reflectors require no power—they’re instant, intuitive, and incredibly effective.

Westcott took the classic reflector and made it better. The QuickGrip handle alone is a game-changer, giving you one-handed control over a full 50" surface. That means I can hold and adjust it myself, or easily hand it off to an assistant—or even the subject—for quick repositioning.

Here’s what makes it indispensable:

• Five-in-One Design: Silver (crisp, bright light), Gold (warm glow), White (soft fill), Black (light subtraction), and Diffusion (softening harsh sources).

• Large 50" Size: Ideal for portraits and half-body shots while still compact enough to carry anywhere.

• Durability: Strong seams, resilient fabrics, and a flexible frame built to last.

• Travel-Friendly: Collapses into a portable size with a carry case—perfect for on-location sessions.

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8. Westcott X-Drop Pro Backdrops

Vanity Fair Style, Anywhere

Lighting is half the portrait equation—the backdrop is the other. Westcott’s X-Drop Pro Backdrops give you professional, fabric backgrounds that set the stage for editorial-quality images.

• Lightweight, wrinkle-resistant fabric prints

• Easy to swap out between colors and textures

• Perfect for both studio and on-location portrait sessions

• That signature Vanity Fair-style aesthetic for a polished, timeless look

👉 Browse X-Drop Pro Backdrops here

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Final Thoughts

Whether you’re just starting out or upgrading your kit, investing in Westcott gear is one of the smartest decisions you can make as a portrait photographer. Their strobes, modifiers, stands, and backdrops aren’t just tools—they’re creative partners that allow you to consistently capture stunning, professional portraits.

I use Westcott exclusively for my work because I trust their innovation, reliability, and design. They’ve never failed me, whether I’m shooting Hollywood actors, military generals, or business leaders.

If you’re serious about portrait photography, build your kit with Westcott.

👉 Shop Westcott Portrait Essentials here

Shortlisted The British Photography Awards

Rory Lewis is very pleased to announce his Portrait of Bill Speakman VC has been Shortlisted The British Photography Awards. The BPA run an open, responsible competition aimed at celebrating photographic talent from all British and British-based photographers.

The next stage of the competition is for the public to vote for their favourite portrait from 20 shortlisted portraits, if you would like to support Rory’s entry please vote by clicking below.

Bill Speakman was born and brought up in Altrincham, Cheshire and educated at Wellington school. He was 24 years old and a private in the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), British Army, attached to the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers during the Korean War when the following deed took place at United Hill, for which he was awarded the VC.

Rory Lewis Portrait of Bill Speakman Shortlisted The British Photography Awards 2022