Why This Black Friday Is the Perfect Time to Upgrade Your Light

Light is one of the most crucial elements of photography. Without it, there can’t be a picture. I never skimp on lighting equipment and have used Profoto equipment since the dawn of my career. This Black Friday, it’s cheaper than ever — here’s why you shouldn’t miss out.

Profoto makes lights for every kind of photographer, from portable battery-powered A-series lights to beasts such as the Pro-11; there is a light for everyone. I have tried, owned, and used every series of Profoto lights. Of course, very few photographers will be buying the Pro-11; however, there are a lot of people who might be getting into the A, B, or D series. Here is a guide to which light might be best suited for you.

A10, A2, and A2 Connect Kit

I own the father of the A10, the A1, and I bring it with me to assignments to this day, not only because it’s such a lightweight and easy-to-operate light, but also because the quality of the output is simply brilliant. The A10 took what was good about the A1 and made it better with improved battery life, AirX technology, and more. It’s the ultimate on-camera (and off-camera) flash.

If you feel like you need a bit more punch from your light, look no further than the A2. Shaped no larger than a small soda can, it delivers 400 full-power flashes at 100 Ws each. Naturally, it has TTL, AirX, and is compatible with 120+ OCF light-shaping tools. My A2 doesn’t see as much service as the A1, but at the same time, it’s still a light that I love to bring on assignments whenever there is space.

The A10 and the A2 are perfect for photographers who are on the go. They share the same battery, meaning that it’s a true ecosystem of lights. The A10 and the A2 are now on sale, meaning you can get an A2 Connect Kit, which will come with a remote for your camera. Alternatively, you can always have the A10 on your camera and a bunch of A2s off-camera.

B20, B30, and D30

The B20 and B30 are much-improved, redesigned B10s. The B10 was a revolution in the lighting market; the B10X made it better, and the B20 and B30 are the latest and greatest in portable, powerful flash technology. The B20 is the smaller brother with 250 Ws of power, while the B30 has 500 Ws, meaning that you always have enough power in any scenario.

The B20 and B30 are perfect for photographers who demand reliability in any environment. I’ve seen B20s and B30s used in all scenarios from press to wedding to fashion and beyond. It’s a light that delivers from the first shot. With 13% faster recycling time than its predecessor, it’s a beast. Add to that the ability to replace the flash tube yourself, and you are always ready for action. With a more powerful modeling lamp than ever, it can even be a video light.

The B20 and B30 are made for demanding photographers. I have been eyeing the B30 myself for quite some time to replace my old B2; perhaps this Black Friday will be it.

D30

What if you could take everything that was good about the D2 500 and make it smaller, more portable, and lightweight? This is exactly what the D30 is. Made for photographers who work primarily indoors, the D30 is a light that adapts to whatever shoot you may have. Having used and loved the D2 as well as the D1, I always wondered if the light could be shrunk and made for travel. After all, I shoot quite a lot of work indoors, in settings where I don’t need the ultimate power of a Pro-11.

This is what the D30 is for. It’s small enough to fit in your carry-on and powerful enough to be a workhorse in any environment with a power source. With an ultrafast recycling time of 0.7 seconds at full power, you are sure to get every shot you need.

Umbrellas

One of my favorite light-shaping tools is a simple umbrella. It came way before the softbox. In fact, I had a range of umbrellas before even buying my first softbox. Why? The answer is simple: it’s easy to set up and perfect for every scenario, from a big studio to a small Paris apartment.

The umbrella has never failed me. It’s smaller than a softbox, and with a diffuser over it, it basically becomes a softbox. I will only switch to a softbox when I run out of umbrellas. My personal favorites are the Umbrella White Shallow M and the Umbrella White Deep XL. The XL makes for a great fill light, while the M makes for a wonderful key. If you let your umbrella be half-open, you get more directionality from your light. It’s one of the most versatile light-shaping tools out there, and I always need more umbrellas.

Why Now? 

This Black Friday is the perfect opportunity to step up your lighting game. You can save up to $154 on the A10, A2, and A2 Connect Kit and up to $400 on the B20, B30, and D30 lights. This is available until Dec 31, 2025. As for umbrellas, they are 10% off until the end of the month.

If I were getting into lighting now, I would definitely look into getting a B20 as well as an umbrella for sure. Add a D30 for indoor work and an A10 for on-camera flash capability, and you have a very good, professional, and reliable lighting kit that will serve you for a long time.