There are many tools you can use to spruce up your photo sessions, and a projector is one of the most versatile. A projector can act as a practical effect to directly add layers of real color and shine to your frame during the shoot instead of waiting till post-production.
While post-production editing may be able to get some of the same looks as a live projector, these often suffer from an uncanny valley effect where things look just a little off, making viewers slightly uncomfortable. Using a projector during the photoshoot can give you an array of in-camera effects to infuse your images with magic and realism that you can’t get from a photo-editing app.
Here are six fun ideas for how to use a projector in your photoshoots.
1. Enhance Your Lighting

At its most fundamental level, a projector is essentially a complex lighting tool. For that reason, when choosing which projector to use in your photoshoot, brighter is always better. The LED bulbs in today’s digital projectors generally last much longer than the lamps in older analog models, but the actual light output of those LED bulbs can often be quite low.
Digital projectors measure their brightness in lumens. The more lumens a model comes with, the more it tends to cost. A good rule of thumb is to invest in a projector with 3,500 lumens or more. A projector with at least 3,500 lumens will project images that you’ll be able to see clearly even when you use additional light sources. You’ll also be able to use lower ISO values and faster shutter speeds, which are crucial if you want to take action shots.
Even with a bright projector, the lighting in your room will depend a lot on what kind of images you project. Photos with plenty of light colors will give off more overall light, but if you want to use moody images with a lot of shadows, your light output will be low. To compensate for low light projections, make sure that the room you’re shooting in is completely dark. Any ambient light will dilute the projector’s image.
The great thing about lighting your photoshoot with a live digital projector is that it’s extremely easy to adjust almost any attribute of the projected image. Whether your projector is connected to your phone or laptop, it won’t take long to open your projected image in your favorite photo-editing app and tweak the brightness, contrast, or hue and then check how your edits look in real life.
If the image you want to use is exceptionally dark, there are two workarounds you can use. Mount your camera on a tripod, and try using slower and slower shutter speeds until your projected image exposes properly. Then position your model, and ask them to hold their poses for a bit longer than usual to avoid blur. Alternatively, if you need faster shutter speeds, you can raise your camera’s ISO a bit. That will give you brighter photos even in dark settings, but keep an eye on your images to make sure they don’t get too grainy or overexposed.
- ★【Superior Home Theater Projector 】2022 Upgraded mini projector equipped with 2000:1 contrast ratio, supported 1080p resolution, brings you a 35% brighter images than similar projectors in market. It provides you with a premium home cinema experience with the bigger screen and clearer image.
- ★【Big Screen & Built-in Speakers】The mini projector has a 32~170 inches projection display size with 1m to 5m projection distance. Built-in speakers offer excellent loud sound quality, you can also connect it to external speakers to meet your higher quality sound needs.
- ★【Low Noise & Long Lamp Life】The projector is lower in noise and more durable than previous models thanks to advanced fan cooling technology. Powerful cooling system cools the heat of lamp efficiently, extending the bulb life to 55,000 hours, which means you can use it more than 15 years.
- ★【Multiple Devices Connection & Portable】This portable movie projector is fit for playing videos, TV series, photos sharing, football matches etc. It can be easily connected with laptops, smartphones, tablets, USB drives, X-Box ONE to enjoy big games. ★★★When connect with phone, please purchase an extra HDMI adapter. Please kindly note projectors with mirrored are incompatible with Netflix and Hulu due to copyright issues.★★★
- ★【2 Year Satisfied Warranty】Our team offers every customer 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you have any problems while using, please feel free to contact us. Please rest assured that we also have 2 year warranty. Not recommended for PPT, or business presentation, it is a home theater projector. You can enjoy the fun at outdoor journey in dark.
2. Find the Right Position
When setting up a photoshoot with a projector, you’ll need to think carefully about the projector’s height and angle, just like you would with any other light source. Projectors are considered a hard light source because they use a focused beam of light emanating from a small aperture. This means they can cast harsh shadows on your model. You can avoid this by finding a flattering height and angle.
Many photographers just set their projector on a table or chair beside the camera, or even directly on the floor. Low angles can work great if you want to project an image onto the background only without covering your model.
If you want to project the image onto your model as well, a low projector angle will create dark shadows on their face and on the wall behind them. This trick tends to have an attractive effect on subjects, and your images will look more professional if you can find a way to mount your projector higher than the model’s head. This can be problematic since most projectors and their mounting systems are designed to sit in place on a flat surface.
The ideal mount for a projector in a photoshoot would use a similar ball-head mechanism to the one on your camera’s tripod. An adjustable laptop plinth capable of screwing into a light stand or tripod can work well, especially if you can find one with a plate that can rotate on a single axis to at least a 90-degree angle. The single-axis rotation will allow you almost any horizontal or vertical angle imaginable, and a tall enough tripod will give you as much height as you need. You can attach your projector to your plinth with sturdy adjustable straps or even duct tape.
If you’re taking close-ups or headshots, you’ll only need a small white vertical surface or wall for the projected image. For small images, place your projector around 4 feet from your surface.
For full or medium shots, you’ll need a considerably larger white wall. Your projector should be at least 8 feet away from the wall for most full shots, so make sure both your vertical surface and the space in front of it are large enough to match your ambitions.
Once you’ve found your ideal height and angle, you’ll need to adjust your projector’s focus and perspective so the image doesn’t appear blurry or misshapen. The focus and keystone dials are located near the projector’s lens. Turn it on, and wait till the menu appears on the projector’s display and on your vertical surface. Start by adjusting the focus dial until the lines in the projection on your wall are crisp, and then move to the keystone dial to make any necessary perspective tweaks.
Now that you’ve achieved complete freedom of movement with your projector, you can get creative with your photoshoot. It’s easy to aim the projection so that it covers both your model and your background. It’s slightly more challenging to aim it so it covers the background but not the model or just the model and not the background.
- High weight bearing projector stand: with a maximum load capacity of 22lbs, we did a lot of experiments to increase the load capacity of the projector mount. Finally, we chose to make this new laptop tripod by increasing the height of the load point and using a non-slip tripod.
- Durable Laptop Stand: The new metal material makes the laptop stand tripod lightweight and very strong and durable. In addition, we have added two elastic straps and a foam pad so that your device can be placed very securely on the laptop stand tripod without worrying about scratching or dropping it.
- Height Adjustable Laptop Tripod: The height of the laptop floor stand can be adjusted from 22 inches to 46 inches. In addition, our large metal tray fits most projectors and laptops
- Versatile Projector Tripod: The portable design makes it easy to set up and take down, making this projector tripod versatile, whether indoor, outdoor, corporate or home, this adjustable projector stand is a great choice.
- Universal Compatibility: Projector stand tray measures 14.9 x 11.2 inches and supports laptops, recorders, projectors, notes, books, sound media devices and more for musicians, DJs, performers, engineers, teachers and students
3. Project an Image Behind the Model Only
You can use a projector in place of a green screen to make it look like you’re shooting in an exotic locale without leaving your studio or messing around in post. To achieve a live, adjustable green screen look in real-time, you’ll need to project your images behind your model without the image covering them.
Put your projector on the floor right between your model’s feet to get the best results for medium shots or close-ups. Full shots in this style can be tricky, but you can try placing your projector just out of frame beside the model on the floor or a low table. If you include the model’s feet, make sure your floor matches the ground in the projected image.
These shots work best when your subject’s look matches the projected image to create a cohesive picture. Make sure your model’s outfit and poses make sense in the setting suggested by your projected image or viewers will feel disconnected.
Although any image will technically work for your projector photoshoot background, the best images to use generally have some empty space where you can fit your model in the composition. Background images with too much going on will distract from your subject.
In many projector photoshoots where the projection falls on the background only, you’ll want to use an additional light source to light your model. Start by placing any additional light sources at more or less the same angle as your projector. Make sure that your additional lighting makes sense in the context of the background image and shines only on your model. If you shine extra light on your projected image, the image will look washed out. Take a few test shots and examine the cumulative effect of the lighting on your exposure to see if anything needs to be adjusted.
A good rule of thumb is to put any additional lighting as high as you can and at just enough distance from the model to soften the beam but not enough to diffuse it throughout the whole room. Make sure your model orients their poses toward the light source that falls on them rather than the light coming from the projector.
- Wrinkle Free Material - The 120 inch projector screen used soft touch and stretchy thick polyester fiber material to ensure wrinkle free after folded or compressed, providing clearer images, brighter colors and no color cast. Please be assured that all of our outdoor movie screen will undergo rigorous quality inspection process before sending out, so there will be no any spots on the screen to affect the viewing experience and is thick enough that you can't see what's behind it.
- 160° Wider Viewing Angle - The outside projector screen with a wide viewing angle up to 160° and 120 inch big size, that means you don’t need to sit directly in front of the screen, just only need to select the most comfortable viewing posture to enjoy wonderful movie night. Even if you want to invite your neighbors or friends to watch the movie together, it will not look crowded, because our portable projector screen supports double-sided projection, no need to worry about crowds anymore.
- Portable and Easy Installation - This video projection screens can be folded in small size and put it in your backpack or suitcase without any damage, and then take it to wherever you want with storage bag. Most important, this movie screen for outdoor use coming with all the necessary tools(hooks,ropes and stickers), just need 5 minutes to set up, and the whole process was not complicated, can be done by yourself.
- Wide Application - The indoor projector screen with good pictures quality and lightweight design is not only suitable for indoor, such as home theater, education, presentation, lectures, offices, classroom or gaming etc, but also for outdoor use. What’s more, our home projector screen also can be used as a gift to your family, friends, lovers, as enhance relationship by sharing viewing experiences or talking about the plot in the movie night or some important occasion(Thanksgiving, Christmas).
- Professional After-sales Service - Comes with 1 rear projector screen , 2 * 5 meters ropes and 16 pcs hooks. Note: please feel free to contact us if you have any problems about our tv projector screen, then we will make every effort to resolve it for you. . And this video projector screen foldable only can be wash by hand, not by machine.
4. Project an Image on the Model and the Background

If you want to project an image onto your model and your background together, simple patterns and shapes are a good start for a stylish photoshoot with a projector. Play with 2D patterns on your model’s 3D skin to create distortions with a futuristic feel, or splash bold text across your scene that wraps around your model and spills out onto the wall behind them.
This style of projector photoshoot generally works best with a bright projected image in an otherwise completely dark room. Get your projector as close to your subject as you can without losing the full projection to make sure your image is as crisp as possible. For many projectors, the optimal distance is around 5 to 7 feet. In most cases, this will give you a bright enough projection to shoot with no other ambient room light using a fast shutter speed and a low ISO.
5. Project the Image on the Model Only

To project an image on your model only and feature a neutral background, just change the orientation of your camera to your subject. Place the projector directly in front of your model, and then take a few steps to either side so that the wall with the projected image behind them moves completely out of your camera’s field of view. A deep black background usually works well to contrast any bright images you project onto your model.
Besides simple shapes and patterns, colorful images of flowers or clouds also work well for this style. Try projecting an image of a mask onto your model’s face, or create a motion blur effect by projecting a slideshow of different images onto a completely still model and shooting with a slow shutter speed.
6. Creative Coloring

Some of the best projector photoshoot effects are the creative coloring techniques you can set up. If you have a projector displaying colored images and you also need to use another traditional light source like a flash or a strobe, you’ll need to compensate for the color temperature.
Many budget projector bulbs have a white balance that’s closer to tungsten than neutral. If you shine a completely white image onto a completely white wall, use color temperature orange (CTO) gel or an orange filter on your additional light source to make it easier for your camera’s white balance setting to compensate.
You can also compensate for the extra projector warmth by using a photo-editing app to add a little blue to the image you plan to project. This will help cancel out your bulb’s tungsten white balance and let you use a flash without a filter.
On the other hand, if your projection has a lot of cool blues, like a picture of the sky or the ocean, you might need to compensate with some color temperature blue (CTB) gel or a blue filter on your additional light source. Many high-end cameras today come with AI-powered auto white balance (AWB) settings that can almost work magic for most color temperatures. If you’re a perfectionist though, you might need to experiment with each projected image individually to find the right camera and flash settings.
- ★【Superior Home Theater Projector 】2022 Upgraded mini projector equipped with 2000:1 contrast ratio, supported 1080p resolution, brings you a 35% brighter images than similar projectors in market. It provides you with a premium home cinema experience with the bigger screen and clearer image.
- ★【Big Screen & Built-in Speakers】The mini projector has a 32~170 inches projection display size with 1m to 5m projection distance. Built-in speakers offer excellent loud sound quality, you can also connect it to external speakers to meet your higher quality sound needs.
- ★【Low Noise & Long Lamp Life】The projector is lower in noise and more durable than previous models thanks to advanced fan cooling technology. Powerful cooling system cools the heat of lamp efficiently, extending the bulb life to 55,000 hours, which means you can use it more than 15 years.
- ★【Multiple Devices Connection & Portable】This portable movie projector is fit for playing videos, TV series, photos sharing, football matches etc. It can be easily connected with laptops, smartphones, tablets, USB drives, X-Box ONE to enjoy big games. ★★★When connect with phone, please purchase an extra HDMI adapter. Please kindly note projectors with mirrored are incompatible with Netflix and Hulu due to copyright issues.★★★
- ★【2 Year Satisfied Warranty】Our team offers every customer 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you have any problems while using, please feel free to contact us. Please rest assured that we also have 2 year warranty. Not recommended for PPT, or business presentation, it is a home theater projector. You can enjoy the fun at outdoor journey in dark.
- ♫【A Fully-featured and Budget-friendly Movie Projector】TO1 HD Video Projector features in true 1080P resolution, dual-band wifi connection, wireless&wired mirror display, 5.1 bidirectional Bluetooth, 4D keystone correction, 100%-50% Zoom function. With a fully sealed optical engine, it is also a dust-proof projector. The diffused light can be much less harmful to your eyes than tv. If you want to enjoy platforms like Netflix, Disney+, an extra tv stick is needed.
- ♬【Native 1080P & 400 ANSI Lumens】TO1 is a high-definition, high-brightness home theater projector. With true 1080P resolution, it supports playing 4K videos via phones and computers. Tiny details can be captured on the big screen. TO1 HD projector’s 400ANSI lumens brightness is even brighter than those 9500lm projectors, allowing you use it indoors during the day. In dark environment, its picture quality reaches the optimal. As an honest seller, we do not recommend you use it under daylight.
- 𝄞【2.4G/5G WIFI & 5.1 Bidirectional Bluetooth connection】TO1 Wifi Projector can connect to your phones and laptops wirelessly in a minute. Get rid of wire and space limitations, brings your favorite blockbusters, sports games and video games to a large screen more freely! With the latest 5.1 Bidirectional Bluetooth connection, the Bluetooth projector can not only connect to your own speaker, but can also work as a Bluetooth speaker when you connect it to your phones.
- 𝄢【4D Keystone Correction&Zoom&300” Large Screen】TO1 bedroom projector’s Keystone correction is one-step to operate, allows ±50° horizontal, vertical and rotate adjustment. Zoom function can adjust the screen size from 100% to 50% so that it can better fit your screen. This 1080P projector can project a large 300” screen, brings you a movie theater. It is also great for Christmas gifts and birthday gifts. Get it and you will enjoy wonderful Christmas movie parties with your loved ones.
- 𝄞【3-Year Professional Support& Portable】We take full responsibility of our products. Any issues, contact us and you will get a reply within 24 hours even during the holiday. We will help repair or offer replacement until customers are satisfied. TO1 Movie projector comes with a high quality backpack, makes it very portable when camping or traveling. It supports 110-240 Voltage AC, can be used not only in America, but also in other countries. TO1 HD Projector brings your private cinema anywhere.
- 【PERFECT FOR WATCHING MOVIES! 】1. You can buy this projector to use outside on clear nights to break up the usual "watch the TV" every night. 2. It has a speaker that is made into the projector and is quiet sufficient for indoor use but it can be hooked up to external speakers using the ear phones connection on the side. 3. Perfect for use in the back yard or empty wall in the living room.
- 【MULTIMEDIA PORTABLE CONNECTIONS:】 1.You are able to hook up your TV Sticker and works perfectly on this as well to display whats on your phone, YouTube or straight up movies. 2. Easy to adjust the contrast and can connect multiple devices to it (ex. laptop). It can be easily connected with your smartphone, PS3, PS4, X-Box ONE or Wii to enjoy BIG games.
- 【GETS AN A+ FOR VALUE: 】 If you are into HD and top notch color quality, you may want to spend the $500 + on more expensive projector. It's not the absolute best for sports i.e. WNBA basketball...but this projector is great price! Unless you have a 4000 sq foot home with a designated movie theater room, save money and just buy this. It's great! Easy to operate. Photos show with light on and with light off.
- 【176 inch DISPLAY!】 This projector provides a watching size from 32” to 176” with the projection distance between 4.9ft to 16.4ft. A projection distance of about 6.5 ft is the recommended viewing distance.
- 【3-YEAR (LOWEST PRICE at $ 56 in the first month of this new arrival):】 We offer our customers a 3-year 100% Money Back Guarantee and professional customer service & technical support. Please feel free to contact our customer service if you have any problems.
- ✦【5.1 Bidirectional Bluetooth &5G WiFi Projector】 With the latest Bidirectional Bluetooth tech, ONO1 video projector can not only connect to speakers, but also connect to mobile devices and work as a speaker. Built-in dual 10W Hi-Fi stereo sound speaker and Super BT Sensor, ONO1 1080P projector receives signal from devices over 50ft away and creates extraordinary sound. With the last 5G WiFi, more smoothly and faster than 2.4G WiFi.
- ✦【400 ANSI lumens & Native 1080P & 12000:1 Contrast Ratio】Our ONO1 movie projector equips 400 ANSI lumens brightness, 1920x1080P high-definition, contrast ratio of 12000: 1 and outstanding color reproduction, depicts crystal clear and vivid picture. Tiny hair of a bird and a man’s subtle expression can be clearly visible. 300’’ big projection screen brings stunning, immersive viewing experience, not only suitable for watching movies, but also perfect for playing games and watching sports competitions.
- ✦【User-friendly 4-Point Keystone Correction & ZOOM Function & Backpack Included】The advanced 4D/4P Keystone can adjust Vertical and Horizontal angle ±50° much easier than others, just one click on the remote to go to the adjusting page. With ZOOM function, ONO1 HD 4K projector can reduce the image size to 50%. It also has 360°flip function, support front, rear and ceiling installation. Cumbersome setting by moving the home projector manually would be a thing of the past.
- ✦【Dust-Proof Sealed Optical Engine & Multimedia Connection】The Sealed Optical Engine of our dust-proof projector prevents dust entering the machine or falling on the lens, ensures no black spots on clarity image. Lamp life reaches 100000 hours. If you are looking for a long-life LED projector in the same price range, we recommend ONO1 home theater projector. Our portable projector offers wide compatibility to devices like TV Stick, PC, Laptop, USB sticks, Android and iOS devices.
- ✦*If a big black block appears, PLEASE contact us and we promise will solve it! 【3-Year Repair & Lifetime Professional Technical Support &New Version Online Upgrade】ONO1 outdoor projector offers 1-year return, 3-year repair, and lifetime technical support. Instructive videos are prepared so you can learn how to operate it visually. Parts like remote can be replaced free of charge. Rest assured to buy our phone projector and any questions we will offer you the most satisfying solution ASAP.
- 💡【Native 1080P, 9500L & 300 ANSI Lumens, 4K supported: 】 2022 upgraded WiFi video projector, using the original physical resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, it supports 4K and has 3 layers of refractive glass lenses. This means it has evenly distributed, no-blurry-edges on this portable projector. Its display is calculated to render sharper resolution to the full screen. It has a brightness of 300 ANSI lumens, much brighter and more colorful than other 1080p WiFi Bluetooth projectors.
- 💡【Fast & Stable 2.4G/5G WiFi Connection: 】 You can sync your iPhone/smartphone screen via 2.4G and 5G WiFi. Ultra-fast 5G WiFi guarantees no lagging while phone gaming and watching YouTube, TikTok and Internet videos. (Due to the standard app copyright, to watch Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, etc. can only work if connected via HDMI, fire tv stick, Roku, or Chrome cast).
- 💡【Compatible with Multiple Devices: 】 Perfect for gaming or hosting a movie night! In addition to side-by-side dual-HDMI for your laptop or gaming console, it includes classic video game single 3.5mm A/V port, two USB ports plus standard 3.5mm audio jack option. Easily connect with your TV, smartphone, external speakers, tablet, laptop, gaming consoles, etc. Connect a laptop with HDMI to watch Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, etc.
- 💡【HiFi Speakers & Low-noise Radiator Fan: 】 We have built-in 5W dual stereo speakers with a HiFi system for a great auditory sense experience. Listen to what you want, not what you don’t with the projector’s optimized low-noise radiator fan, it has a 20% reduction in noise compared to competitors. And because of this improved fan it also helps to extend the life of the projector to 50,000 working hours.
- 💡【2-Year Limited Warranty! 】This projector has a life of 50,000 working hours for years and years of use. We are so confident in our product that our projector comes with a 2-year limited warranty. If you find any problem, please feel free to contact us through the Amazon platform.