Tech Gear We Use at SAM Studio (Camera, Lighting, Post-Production) — Insider Look
A complete behind-the-scenes breakdown of the professional equipment powering SAM Studio’s signature look.
Read Time: 12–15 minutes
Category: Photography | Studio Gear | Lighting | UAE Creative Industry
Read Time: 12–15 minutes
Category: Photography | Studio Gear | Lighting | UAE Creative Industry
🌟 INTRODUCTION: GREAT PHOTOS ARE A COMBINATION OF ART + TECH
Every iconic photo has two parts:
Art — posing, direction, styling, emotion
Tech — camera, lights, modifiers, lenses, color science, editing
Most people only see the final image.
They don’t see the orchestra of equipment working together to:
create flattering skin
sculpt body shapes
shape light and shadow
enhance colors
sharpen details
add cinematic depth
control mood and emotion
At SAM Studio Abu Dhabi, we carefully chose every piece of equipment to deliver the exact aesthetic we are known for:
✨ clean
✨ editorial
✨ fashion-forward
✨ cinematic
✨ premium
✨ skin-perfecting
This article gives you a full insider look at:
the cameras
the lenses
the lighting systems
the modifiers
the audio/visual gear
the editing powerhouse
the studio layout
and the signature workflows
Let’s go inside the engine room of SAM Studio.
Art — posing, direction, styling, emotion
Tech — camera, lights, modifiers, lenses, color science, editing
Most people only see the final image.
They don’t see the orchestra of equipment working together to:
create flattering skin
sculpt body shapes
shape light and shadow
enhance colors
sharpen details
add cinematic depth
control mood and emotion
At SAM Studio Abu Dhabi, we carefully chose every piece of equipment to deliver the exact aesthetic we are known for:
✨ clean
✨ editorial
✨ fashion-forward
✨ cinematic
✨ premium
✨ skin-perfecting
This article gives you a full insider look at:
the cameras
the lenses
the lighting systems
the modifiers
the audio/visual gear
the editing powerhouse
the studio layout
and the signature workflows
Let’s go inside the engine room of SAM Studio.
1️⃣ CAMERA SYSTEM — THE HEART OF OUR VISUAL QUALITY
We use professional Canon mirrorless systems known for their:
color science
skin tones
dynamic range
low-light performance
sharpness
fast eye-tracking
color science
skin tones
dynamic range
low-light performance
sharpness
fast eye-tracking
📷 Canon EOS R6 — The Studio Workhorse
Why we love it:
✔ Amazing skin tone reproduction
✔ Fast autofocus (great for fashion movement)
✔ Sharp full-frame sensor
✔ Excellent dynamic range
✔ Clean color profile for beauty and editorial
✔ Perfect for portraits, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and events
This camera handles everything from:
model portfolio shoots
editorial sets
brand campaigns
beauty close-ups
commercial lifestyle shoots
event coverage
behind-the-scenes videos
Recommended Settings We Use in SAM Studio:
ISO: 100–160
Shutter: 1/160 or 1/200 (flash sync)
Aperture: f/4 – f/8 (fashion & beauty)
Picture Style: Neutral
RAW format (maximum detail)
✔ Amazing skin tone reproduction
✔ Fast autofocus (great for fashion movement)
✔ Sharp full-frame sensor
✔ Excellent dynamic range
✔ Clean color profile for beauty and editorial
✔ Perfect for portraits, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and events
This camera handles everything from:
model portfolio shoots
editorial sets
brand campaigns
beauty close-ups
commercial lifestyle shoots
event coverage
behind-the-scenes videos
Recommended Settings We Use in SAM Studio:
ISO: 100–160
Shutter: 1/160 or 1/200 (flash sync)
Aperture: f/4 – f/8 (fashion & beauty)
Picture Style: Neutral
RAW format (maximum detail)
2️⃣ LENSES — HOW WE SCULPT THE FACE AND BODY
Different lenses create different energy, mood, and perspective.
These are the lenses you use — and WHY they matter:
These are the lenses you use — and WHY they matter:
📌 Canon RF / EF 85mm 1.2 — The Beauty King
Used for:
headshots
beauty campaigns
close-up fashion
editorial portraits
Why it’s amazing:
✔ creamy background
✔ flattering face compression
✔ stunning sharpness
✔ cinematic eye detail
This is the lens that gives your photos the “magazine beauty look.”
headshots
beauty campaigns
close-up fashion
editorial portraits
Why it’s amazing:
✔ creamy background
✔ flattering face compression
✔ stunning sharpness
✔ cinematic eye detail
This is the lens that gives your photos the “magazine beauty look.”
📌 Canon EF 100mm Macro 2.8 — The Detail Master
Used for:
beauty close-ups
jewelry shoots
product shots
macro textures
skin detail
Ideal for high-end advertising campaigns.
beauty close-ups
jewelry shoots
product shots
macro textures
skin detail
Ideal for high-end advertising campaigns.
📌 Canon RF 24–105mm — The Versatile Zoom
Used for:
full body
walking shots
lifestyle
commercial
studio editorial
behind-the-scenes
The focal range allows you to change perspective quickly without changing lenses — ideal for dynamic shoots.
full body
walking shots
lifestyle
commercial
studio editorial
behind-the-scenes
The focal range allows you to change perspective quickly without changing lenses — ideal for dynamic shoots.
📌 Canon 50mm 1.8 — The Classic Fashion Lens
Used for:
environmental portraits
cinematic lifestyle
balanced mid-shot fashion
Perfect for aesthetic Instagram content & creative projects.
environmental portraits
cinematic lifestyle
balanced mid-shot fashion
Perfect for aesthetic Instagram content & creative projects.
3️⃣ LIGHTING GEAR — THE SIGNATURE SAM STUDIO LOOK
Lighting is EVERYTHING.
Your lighting kit defines SAM Studio’s iconic style.
Your lighting kit defines SAM Studio’s iconic style.
A) Main Strobes & LED Systems
💡 Godox SK400 Pro — The Studio Anchor
Used for:
✔ flexible studio lighting
✔ soft beauty light
✔ clean editorial looks
✔ professional-grade flash output
Why it’s great:
consistent color temperature
stable output
fast recycling
perfect for fashion & portraits
Used for:
✔ flexible studio lighting
✔ soft beauty light
✔ clean editorial looks
✔ professional-grade flash output
Why it’s great:
consistent color temperature
stable output
fast recycling
perfect for fashion & portraits
💡 Neewer CB-200 — The Editorial Hard-Light Beast
Used for:
✔ dramatic editorial
✔ magazine-style shadows
✔ high-fashion looks
✔ character-driven lighting
This light produces:
sharp shadows
powerful highlights
sculpted jawlines
dimensional images
This is the light that creates the “European editorial look”.
Used for:
✔ dramatic editorial
✔ magazine-style shadows
✔ high-fashion looks
✔ character-driven lighting
This light produces:
sharp shadows
powerful highlights
sculpted jawlines
dimensional images
This is the light that creates the “European editorial look”.
💡 Neewer PL60C RGB — The Gel & Color Master
Used for:
✔ creative fashion
✔ colored backgrounds
✔ trendy social media setups
✔ cinematic backlighting
RGB allows infinite moods:
pink/blue
purple/teal
orange/cyan
red/gold
Vogue gradient effects
Perfect for fashion reels, TikTok content, and expressive editorials.
Used for:
✔ creative fashion
✔ colored backgrounds
✔ trendy social media setups
✔ cinematic backlighting
RGB allows infinite moods:
pink/blue
purple/teal
orange/cyan
red/gold
Vogue gradient effects
Perfect for fashion reels, TikTok content, and expressive editorials.
B) Lighting Modifiers (This Is What Shapes the Mood)
Modifiers change the light from:
soft → harsh
wide → narrow
flat → dimensional
soft → harsh
wide → narrow
flat → dimensional
📌 120cm Softbox — “Perfect Skin” Modifier
Used for:
clean commercial shots
lifestyle sets
beauty-friendly looks
Creates soft, flattering light.
Used for:
clean commercial shots
lifestyle sets
beauty-friendly looks
Creates soft, flattering light.
📌 90cm Softbox — For Controlled, Softer Shadows
Used for:
fashion editorial
cinematic half-body looks
Used for:
fashion editorial
cinematic half-body looks
📌 Reflectors & V-Flats — For Shaping Light
Used to:
soften shadows
bounce light
block light
create mood
Essential for full control.
Used to:
soften shadows
bounce light
block light
create mood
Essential for full control.
📌 Optical Snoot — For Precise Editorial Shadows
Used for:
✔ dramatic spotlights
✔ geometric patterns
✔ directional editorial looks
Extremely powerful for magazine covers.
Used for:
✔ dramatic spotlights
✔ geometric patterns
✔ directional editorial looks
Extremely powerful for magazine covers.
4️⃣ PROPS & SET DESIGN — YOUR SIGNATURE ELEMENTS
📌 Cyclorama Wall (4.26m × 4.26m)
Perfect for:
full fashion
movement shots
walking videos
editorial portraits
It creates:
✔ seamless background
✔ clean aesthetic
✔ professional finish
full fashion
movement shots
walking videos
editorial portraits
It creates:
✔ seamless background
✔ clean aesthetic
✔ professional finish
📌 Wavy Wood Sofa — Editorial Favorite
Used for:
artistic sitting poses
fashion mood
magazine layouts
artistic sitting poses
fashion mood
magazine layouts
📌 Mobile Arch — For Backlit Glow & Luxury Sets
Creates cinematic silhouette and glowing backlight.
📌 Decorative L-Shaped Stairs — High-End Fashion Posing
Amazing for:
couture outfits
garment flow
asymmetrical composition
couture outfits
garment flow
asymmetrical composition
📌 Mobile 3D Decor Wall — Commercial & Magazine Texture
Adds richness and dimension.
5️⃣ AUDIO & VIDEO GEAR — FOR BTS & REELS
💻 PC Specs at SAM Studio
Ryzen 9 7900X
RTX 5070 12GB
64GB RAM DDR5 6000MHz
PCIe 5 SSD
ASUS B650-PLUS WiFi
Corsair H150i cooling
This ensures:
✔ fast editing
✔ smooth Photoshop sessions
✔ fast AI retouching
✔ instant export
✔ 4K editing
✔ zero lag
Perfect for commercial workflows.
RTX 5070 12GB
64GB RAM DDR5 6000MHz
PCIe 5 SSD
ASUS B650-PLUS WiFi
Corsair H150i cooling
This ensures:
✔ fast editing
✔ smooth Photoshop sessions
✔ fast AI retouching
✔ instant export
✔ 4K editing
✔ zero lag
Perfect for commercial workflows.
📌 Software We Use
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Lightroom
Camera RAW
Portrait retouch plugins
Color grading LUTs
Capture One (optional workflow)
Editing Style:
✔ clean
✔ realistic
✔ luxury
✔ fashion editorial
✔ consistent
✔ no harsh filters
Adobe Lightroom
Camera RAW
Portrait retouch plugins
Color grading LUTs
Capture One (optional workflow)
Editing Style:
✔ clean
✔ realistic
✔ luxury
✔ fashion editorial
✔ consistent
✔ no harsh filters
7️⃣ WHY THIS GEAR COMBINATION MAKES SAM STUDIO UNIQUE
✔ fashion
✔ editorial
✔ commercial
✔ beauty
✔ content creation
✔ corporate campaigns
✔ model portfolios
✔ creative concepts
Everything from:
high-fashion magazine looks
clean commercial headshots
cinematic gel portraits
lifestyle content
agency-ready digitals
corporate coverage
product photography
…can be produced at the highest quality.
✔ editorial
✔ commercial
✔ beauty
✔ content creation
✔ corporate campaigns
✔ model portfolios
✔ creative concepts
Everything from:
high-fashion magazine looks
clean commercial headshots
cinematic gel portraits
lifestyle content
agency-ready digitals
corporate coverage
product photography
…can be produced at the highest quality.
Other Blogs
Behind the Scenes at SAM Studio
Studio Lighting 101
How to Build a Modeling Portfolio
Graphic Design for Models Using Canva
Studio Lighting 101
How to Build a Modeling Portfolio
Graphic Design for Models Using Canva
🎯 CONCLUSION — GREAT GEAR + GREAT VISION = GREAT PHOTOS
Gear alone doesn’t make magic.
But when combined with:
creativity
experience
lighting mastery
posing guidance
artistic direction
professional workflow
…it becomes unstoppable.
This is exactly why SAM Studio produces:
✨ premium-quality images
✨ editorial content
✨ brand-ready visuals
✨ model portfolios that get attention
✨ fashion work that stands out
Your clients don’t just see photos.
They see craftsmanship.
But when combined with:
creativity
experience
lighting mastery
posing guidance
artistic direction
professional workflow
…it becomes unstoppable.
This is exactly why SAM Studio produces:
✨ premium-quality images
✨ editorial content
✨ brand-ready visuals
✨ model portfolios that get attention
✨ fashion work that stands out
Your clients don’t just see photos.
They see craftsmanship.
EXPERIENCE REAL FASHION PRODUCTION AT SAM STUDIO
Whether you're:
a model
a brand
a designer
a creative
an influencer
a business client
…SAM Studio gives you world-class production powered by professional gear and artistic direction.
📸 Book your shoot at SAM Studio Abu Dhabi
📍 Photography | Modeling | Production
✨ Beyond Vision. Into Reality.
a model
a brand
a designer
a creative
an influencer
a business client
…SAM Studio gives you world-class production powered by professional gear and artistic direction.
📸 Book your shoot at SAM Studio Abu Dhabi
📍 Photography | Modeling | Production
✨ Beyond Vision. Into Reality.
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Jaden Hirthe