Profoto releases white softboxes — why photographers should care!

Profoto Just Dropped Something Soft… and It’s WHITE!

Okay photographers, gather ‘round — because Profoto just gave us something shiny (but not too shiny) to get excited about. Last night, they quietly released an entire new lineup of softboxes with white interiors instead of silver. And yes, that tiny colour swap makes a big difference. So let’s break it down, from the nerdy stuff to the good stuff.

What’s the Deal With White vs Silver?

Inside every softbox, there’s a reflective material that bounces light around and sends it out toward your subject. Traditionally, that material is silver — it’s punchy, crisp, and delivers a harder, more contrast-heavy light with lots of clarity. That’s great when you want drama, texture, or that really clean commercial look.

But swap that silver for white and things mellow out. White interiors diffuse the light more gently, creating softer shadows, smoother transitions, and a less “flashy” look overall. The light wraps more naturally around faces and skin. Think “sun through a window” instead of “flash in your face.”

The trade-off? Power output drops. On average, a white softbox will deliver around 0.5 to 1 stop less light than its silver counterpart. So yes — you’ll need to either crank your light up a little higher or open your aperture a tad. But the trade? Worth it. The result is a more natural, organic-looking light that’s flattering on skin and perfect for portrait work.

Why You Want Both

Now, before you go ditching all your silver softboxes — don’t! This isn’t about replacing your gear; it’s about expanding your toolkit. Having both white and silver softboxes means you can choose the feel of your light, depending on the subject and vibe you want.

Want punchy, dramatic key light for fashion or editorial work? Silver’s your guy. Want soft, subtle light that flatters every face and feels more cinematic or natural? Bring in the white. Having both lets you adapt on the fly and makes your kit more versatile — especially on location or when working with different types of skin tones and surfaces.

So What’s Available?

We’ve got five shapes in this new white interior lineup:

• 1x4 Stripbox – tight and controlled, great for edges and separation

• 2x3 & 3x4 Rectangular – perfect general-purpose boxes for portrait, fashion, and more

• 3ft & 4ft Octaboxes – that signature round catchlight and gorgeous wrap-around light

Honestly? We’re excited. These are available to order now, and we can’t wait to put them through their paces in our own studio. Whether you’re a natural light lover looking to ease into artificial lighting, or a longtime flash user wanting a new look — these white softboxes are a welcome addition to the Profoto family.

Questions? Hit us up. We love lighting. Let’s get soft.

You can view all the new white softboxes here!

And for all the quick setup modifiers on offer you can view those here.