Working with Teddy Riley

I had the opportunity to photograph music powerhouse and legendary producer Teddy Riley during an impromptu shoot in a very small space. To maximize control and flexibility, I built the setup using C-stands with boom arms and a cloth backdrop to create depth and separation.

Lighting Breakdown

• Main Light:
  A bare-bulb flash paired with a 7° reflector and a 20° grid, allowing me to precisely focus the light onto Teddy’s head without spill. This tight control helped sculpt his face and maintain contrast in a confined environment.

• Secondary Light:
  A Godox AD600BM mounted on a C-stand, fitted with a snoot and 30° grid. This light was aimed at Teddy’s shirt and neckline to add subtle fill and balance the falloff from the key light while maintaining a dramatic look.

• Background Light:
  A Godox AD300 Pro with a small reflector was used to illuminate the backdrop, creating separation between the subject, the background, and the main light source.

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