TETHERED STUDIO HEADSHOT CHECKLIST

PVME Training Division — quick reference

Use this for: Corporate headshots, military trainee headshots, and any tethered session running Capture One + Pro Tether Tools Mobile Capture for client review.

Pre-client setup (before doors open)

  1. Power everything: workstation UPS on, Profoto Pro-10 / B10X packs charged and confirmed at 100%, modeling lamps test-fire.
  2. Lay out backdrop — confirm seamless or muslin is clean, lint-rolled, no visible scuff in subject zone.
  3. Tether cable: Tether Tools 15ft USB-C orange cable, JerkStopper anchored to Sony A7RV body and to desk edge. No cable strain.
  4. Camera body settings: Manual mode, ISO 100, 1/200 shutter, f/8 starting aperture, mechanical shutter, RAW only (uncompressed L), AF-S, Eye AF on.
  5. White balance: 5500K Kelvin lock (final Custom WB after ColorChecker frame).
  6. Capture One: Launch correct session template (PVME-Headshot-Corporate or PVME-Headshot-Military). Confirm Capture folder, Selects folder, and Output folder are session-dated.
  7. Connect tether — confirm Live View streaming, exposure preview matches in-camera, frame counter at zero.
  8. Lighting: Key light placed 45° camera-left, 4 feet from subject mark, 24" beauty dish or 3' octa. Fill at 90° opposite, one stop below key. Optional hair light flagged off the lens.
  9. Meter the scene: handheld incident meter at subject mark, fingertips of meter facing key — read f/8 ±0.1.
  10. ColorChecker pass: place ColorChecker Passport on subject mark, shoot one reference frame, set Custom WB in Capture One on second-brightest gray, copy adjustment to session.
  11. Stand-in test frame: shoot self-portrait or assistant on the mark, confirm catchlight, shadow falloff, background separation.
  12. Pro Tether Tools — Mobile Capture: confirm session created, viewer URL pulled up on iPad for client, passcode set.
  13. Mark subject position with gaff tape T on floor — chin height note on wall for tall vs short subjects.
  14. Confirm backup CFexpress card in slot 2, RAW+RAW redundant write enabled.
  15. Print the day's shot list / approved expressions and tape to the side of the monitor.

During client (per subject)

  1. Greet, brief on the process (3 expressions, 2-minute session), guide to the tape mark, adjust chin height.
  2. Fire test frame, review on tether monitor for focus on near eye, check stray hair, jewelry, collar.
  3. Shoot the planned expression set — minimum 3 frames per expression, verbal cues, confirm Eye AF lock every burst.
  4. Quick review on Mobile Capture viewer if client is present — pick favorite together, flag selects in Capture One.
  5. Release subject, reset chair / wardrobe touch, advance Capture One counter to next subject folder.

Post-client (end of session)

  1. Final ColorChecker frame at session close (verifies no drift).
  2. Eject CFexpress backup card, copy to portable SSD as second redundancy before leaving studio.
  3. Export session selects as proof JPEGs to delivery folder; queue overnight Capture One batch export.
  4. Power down strobes, cap modifiers, coil tether (over-under), park camera in Pelican.
  5. Send Mobile Capture viewer link + session summary email to client contact within 24 hours.