Westcott Top Pro Photographer

Joel Grimes has been working as a commercial advertising photographer for nearly thirty years. His fascination with photography began as a freshman in high school and by the time he received a BFA in Photography from the University of Arizona his passion for creating was all consuming.

His assignments have taken him to every state across the USA and to over fifty countries around the globe. Aside from his commercial work, Joel views himself as an ambassador for the photographic creative process by teaching workshops and lectures across the country.

In 1990 Joel took a two year sabbatical from his commercial work to produce a coffee table book entitled, “Navajo, Portrait of a Nation” which received a number of photographic and design awards resulting in an eighteen-month solo exhibit at the Smithsonian American History museum.

Joel Grimes' Favorite Westcott Gear:

Pro Signature Octabank (5')
Pro Signature Octabank (5')

3662

Pro Signature Octabank (7')
Pro Signature Octabank (7')

3661
 

Articles by Joel Grimes

Creating Dramatic Portraits with One Light

Joel Grimes
Lighting Tips
2332
Few photographers use light to shape mood and drama quite like Joel Grimes, and his top-down approach is a perfect example. In this video, Joel shares one of his go-to techniques for adding drama to a portrait using just a single light. From tough, dramatic portraits to stylized poster-worthy shots, this lighting approach is simple to use and full of creative possibilities.

Storytelling with Light 

Joel Grimes
Lighting Tips
1521
Photographer Joel Grimes is a master at using lighting to create compelling narratives. His recent photo shoot at Simpson Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona, exemplifies his skill and artistry. Faced with intense desert sunshine, Joel used a combination of natural shade, softboxes, scrims, and powerful strobes to tame the light and shape the atmosphere around his subject.

Mastering Difficult Lighting Situations with the FJ800 Strobe

Joel Grimes
Lighting Tips
3074
In this guide, we’ll explore how you can control light exposure while keeping sharp detail and contrast—no matter how tricky the light conditions might be. Photographer Joel Grimes takes us through two amazing techniques in his tutorial filmed in Wickenburg, Arizona: High-Speed Sync (HSS) and Neutral Density (ND) filters. These tools let you capture jaw-dropping backlit portraits with ease.
Cross Lighting Setup

How to Create Cross Lighting Like Joel Grimes

Joel Grimes
Lighting Tips
14253
Renowned photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Joel Grimes is known for creating impeccably clean and stylized lifestyle portraits. His signature style of Rembrandt cross lighting involves feathering two light sources at different brightnesses onto his subject. Joel starts by placing his light sources opposite each other, parallel to his camera access.
Lifestyle Portraits with the Rapid Box Switch

Creating Lifestyle Portraits with the Rapid Box Switch

Joel Grimes
Lighting Tips
13393
Renowned photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Joel Grimes is known for creating impeccably clean and stylized commercial portraits. In this video tutorial, Joel utilizes the new with the and a single speedlite to fill in sunlight for beautiful lifestyle portraits. Typically, Joel shoots with strobes.