As a photographer or filmmaker, your skill in capturing beautiful imagery is essential, but there’s a crucial support role waiting in the wings: studio grip. Grip forms the foundation for well-functioning studio environments—from C-stands, light stands and clamps to boom arms, shot bags, telepoles and more—these tools ensure that your equipment is stable and adaptable.
Explore the following grip and their functions listed by category, along with links and purchase information.
C-Stands
A C-stand is among the most versatile tools for stabilizing lights, cameras, and modifiers such as soft boxes and reflectors. Its unique three-legged base allows for easy “nesting” of stands on set. Some versions offer a sliding leg for stability on uneven surfaces and easy positioning over obstacles. Consider using a C-stand to hang lights out of the frame or secure flags or reflectors to direct light. You can even mount microphones or other related equipment at tricky angles.
Available on the Adorama site in both 20-inch and 40-inch sizes. Each size delivers the same functionality, but their different sizes make them suitable for distinct uses. Also, consider the turtle base C-stand, which has a removable base that allows for quick setup and breakdown. The base can be adapted to be used as a stand, making it ideal for low-to-the-ground mounting.
20-Inch C-Stands
Flashpoint 20” Quick-Sliding Leg C-Stand Kit with Grip Head & 20” Arm
This compact 20” stand is ideal for low-height setups like tabletop photography or smaller modifier placements where equipment needs to be positioned in confined spaces.
40-Inch C-Stands
Flashpoint 40” Quick-Sliding Leg C-Stand Kit with Grip Head & 40” Arm
The 40” C-stand offers additional height, making it suitable for larger or more complex lighting setups, full-body portraits, and overhead lighting. The longer arm provides greater reach, keeping gear out of frame or positioned at unique angles.
Turtle Base C-Stands
Flashpoint 20” Quick Release Turtle Base C-Stand Kit with Grip Head & Arm
With a detachable low base (known as the turtle base), this C-stand allows for quicker setup and tear down between shoots and is ideal for tight or low-angle setups in confined spaces, i.e. tabletop shoots.
Flashpoint 40” Quick Release Turtle Base C-Stand Kit with Grip Head & Arm
While both the 20” and 40” versions feature turtle bases for low center of gravity and solid stability, the 40″ stand will handle slightly heavier modifiers or equipment on its arm and even better reduce the risk of gear tipping over.
Studio Essentials
To keep a studio well-organized and enhance its functionality, certain accessories are vital. The following contribute to a smoother workflow and help keep equipment both safe and accessible.
Glow SBP-6R Magnetic Seamless Paper Rack
This wall-mounted storage system keeps seamless paper backdrops organized while its magnetic feature allows for the quick switch out of backdrop rolls during fast-paced photoshoots.
Flashpoint Light Stand Leg Protector, Blue, 3-Pack
These covers protect light stand legs and studio floors, provide good grip on slippery surfaces, and serve as insulation in extreme temps.
Flashpoint Swivel Junior to Baby Adapter
Designed to convert mounting sizes between fixtures, the adapter lets you use available stands even if you don’t have the appropriate size pin receiver. The rosette mechanism lets you set tilted angles in 30-degree steps (super handy for switching from horizontal to vertical without barndoors or soft boxes getting in the way).
Flashpoint 4-In-1 Nesting Apple Box Set
With heights from 1″ to 8”, this set is ideal for lifting equipment or even as quick seating for crew members (at full height). Also great for lifting large items such as lighting equipment, monitors or cameras to eye level when working with a low table.
Clamps
Ah, the clamp—small but mighty, they are primarily used to secure backdrops, hold reflectors, or position lighting modifiers like soft boxes or gels. They can also stabilize props or secure cables to prevent tripping hazards.
Flashpoint Drop Ceiling Scissor Clamp with Baby (5/8″) Pin
This clamp attaches to drop ceilings, providing a secure mount for lights or microphones using the standard 5/8″ pin. It’s particularly helpful for overhead lighting in small office spaces.
Flashpoint Baby Drop Ceiling Mount, Baby 5/8″ Receiver
This mount fits into standard drop ceiling tiles to support overhead lighting or backdrops in setups that need overhead lighting without stands in view for shoots that require a clean look. The 5/8” is compatible with most standard light fixtures and accessories.
Flashpoint Duckbill Style Plate Clamp, Black/White
Perfect for holding wide objects like foamcore and reflectors, this clamp also has rubber padding to hold delicate materials in place without damaging them. A mounting point provides for attaching to stands or arms.
Light Stands
Like the C-stand, a light stand is used to hold and position lights, flashes, or other accessories. While generally lighter and more portable than C-stands, they can also be less stable but not to worry—with the following heavy-duty light stand, stability is not an issue at all.
Flashpoint Pro Air-Cushioned Heavy-Duty Light Stand
With a height of 15.7 feet, this is designed for heavy-duty studio or outdoor setups, especially high-angle lighting or larger, wind-resistant setups. With a reversible 1/4″-20 and 3/8″ screw on a 5/8″ stud, this stand works with just about any lighting gear—flashes, LED lights, soft boxes, you name it.
Safety
When mounting lights or gear overhead, safety is key. The cables listed below, in 18” and 32” sizes, act as fail-safes in case the primary mounting system fails.
Flashpoint 18″ Safety Cable with Carabiner
Designed primarily for securing lighting and other heavy equipment when working on sets, studios, or stages. The 18″ safety cable is great for holding compact, secure setups in place, and the carabiner allows for fast setup and breakdown without needing extra tools.
Flashpoint 32″ Safety Cable with Carabiner
The 32″ cable, almost twice as long as the 18″ version, provides greater flexibility for larger setups and situations where you need to secure equipment across a longer distance.
Telepoles
These adjustable support poles are used to mount or hold lights, backdrops, and reflectors. They can extend from floor to ceiling or wall to wall, providing a flexible framework without the need for drilling or permanent installations.
Flashpoint Deluxe Telepole Support System, Black, Pair
Flashpoint Tripod Base for Telepole, Black
Ideal for cramped spaces, overhead shots, or rim lighting situations, especially when combined with a telepole for different lighting angles.
Flashpoint Telepole Drop Ceiling Adapter
When you need adaptable and non-permanent ceiling support, this adapter helps position your telepole to support when in spaces with drop ceilings vs. solid.
Lowboy Stands
Designed to support heavier loads at lower heights, these stands are perfect for floor-level lighting or equipment that needs stability but doesn’t need to be raised very high.
Flashpoint 3.8′ Lowboy Steel Stand with Low Rolling Base and Combo Head
This stand works well for background lights and kicker lights or as support for a reflector or other modifiers that work best closer to the floor.
Flashpoint 5.7′ Lowboy Steel Stand Pro w/Combo Head, Silver, Bundle w/Wheels Set
At 5.7 feet, this stand is ideal for low-angle shots as well as keeping lights close to the ground. It’s built to support heavier gear and its combo head with both a 5/8” Baby pin and a 1-1/8” Junior receiver adds flexibility in mounting different lights and accessories.
Wall Plate With T-Slot and VESA Mount
A versatile mounting solution that enables the attachment of monitors or displays, which can be useful for filmmakers or photographers who want to check their footage or images in real-time. The T-Slot Wall Plate helps save floor space, which is especially beneficial in smaller studios or locations.
Flashpoint T-Slot Wall Plate with 3″ Baby Swivel Pin and VESA Mount
The 3” baby swivel pin is perfect for securely attaching LED panels or soft boxes to walls or overhead structures.
Flashpoint T-Slot Wall Plate with 90-Degree Baby Pin and VESA Mount
Easily mounts various accessories at different angles, ideal for studio setups.
Flashpoint T-Slot Wall Plate with 1-1/8″ Locking Receiver and VESA Mount
The locking mechanism here keeps accessories securely in place. It is compatible with equipment that has a matching 1-1/8″ spigot or stud.
Flashpoint T-Slot Wall Plate with 5/8″ Locking Receiver and VESA Mount
Commonly used in professional AV and lighting, the receiver size is standard for supporting LED lights, and strobe stands that need to be wall-mounted rather than on stands.
Flashpoint T-Slot Wall Plate with 3″ Baby Pin and VESA Mount
The 3″ baby pin is suitable for attaching smaller, lighter lights or LED panels to light stands or other support structures. Good for compact lighting setups.
Flashpoint T-Slot Wall Plate with 6″ Baby Pin and VESA Mount
Mounts reflectors, flags, or diffusers to stands or rigs and supports adjustable positioning when paired with a VESA mount. The 6″ length provides more versatility and stability when attaching heavier equipment.
Flashpoint T-Slot Wall Plate with 9″ Baby Pin and VESA Mount
The 9” baby pin serves as a mounting rod used to attach lighting or camera gear with a standard 5/8″ receiver. It is good for achieving specific angles for product shots or real-time monitoring for filmmakers.
Shot Bags
Shot bags, a variant of the classic sandbag, are essential for stabilizing gear and equipment. They add weight to light stands and backdrops, ensuring stability during shoots, and the water-resistant Cordura nylon each one listed below is made of protects against moisture and harsh weather, making them ideal for outdoor use.
Flashpoint 5 lbs Wrap & Go, Shot Bag, Cordura Nylon, Black
At 5 pounds, this shot bag stabilizes tripods and light stands in windy conditions.
Flashpoint 10 lbs Wrap & G,o Shot Bag, Cordura Nylon, Black
This bag secures tripods on uneven terrain and can easily balance filmmaking rigs or Steadicams.
Flashpoint 15 lbs Water-Resistant Cordura Nylon Saddle Shot Bag, Black
With a unique shape that sits securely on tripods, it stabilizes equipment on uneven ground and accommodates larger lenses.
Flashpoint 25 lbs Water-Resistant Cordura Nylon Saddle Shot Bag, Black
This bag stabilizes tripods in windy conditions and acts as a counterweight for overhead rigs.
Flashpoint 35 lbs Water-Resistant Cordura Nylon Saddle Shot Bag, Black
In sum, whether it’s creating dynamic lighting setups, stabilizing cameras in extreme conditions, or adding that essential touch of safety on set, studio grip is the unsung hero of every successful shoot. Without these vital tools, many of the breathtaking images you take wouldn’t just be harder—they’d be impossible.
