Studio Gear

News

What Apple's Mac Pro Discontinuation Means for Your Studio Workflow

The End of an Era Apple has quietly discontinued the Mac Pro, and I have to be honest—it’s a significant shift worth paying attention to if you’re running a serious photography studio. The company has removed the tower from its lineup entirely, leaving the Mac Studio as the new flagship desktop option. After decades of offering a modular, expandable powerhouse, Apple is essentially saying: this is as big as we’re going.

March 31, 2026

Video Tutorials

How to Update Your FJ-T1 Trigger Firmware: A Step-by-Step Guide

I’ve been working with wireless triggers in my studio for over a decade, and I can tell you with certainty: keeping your gear updated isn’t optional. It’s essential. Whether you’re shooting high-speed sync in natural light or managing multiple strobes in a controlled environment, your trigger’s firmware determines how reliably your lights fire. In this excellent tutorial, Joel Grimes shows us exactly how to update the FJ-T1 trigger—and I’m breaking it down into actionable steps you can follow right now.

February 14, 2026

News

Harlowe's Max Bi-Color LED Monolights: Power Meets Practicality in the Modern Studio

I’ve spent enough time in studios and on location shoots to know that lighting equipment rarely excels at everything. You typically sacrifice power for portability, or wireless convenience for consistent color temperature. So when I heard about Harlowe’s expanded Max Bi-Color LED monolight lineup, I paid attention—because the company seems intent on collapsing those compromises. What’s New Harlowe has introduced several new configurations of their Max monolights, all centered around a 120-watt fixture that’s substantially more powerful than most portable LED solutions currently on the market.

February 10, 2026

Gear Reviews

Best Lighting Gear for Portrait Photography in 2026

Best Lighting Gear for Portrait Photography in 2026 I’ve been shooting portraits for twenty years, and I can tell you this with absolute certainty: your lighting setup determines everything. The lens matters. The camera matters. But lighting? Lighting is the difference between a snapshot and a portrait worth framing. The problem is that portrait photographers face a choice: go with continuous light for its simplicity and what-you-see-is-what-you-get predictability, or embrace flash for its power and versatility.

January 17, 2026