DIY 3D-Printed Gel Mount for AD300 Pro: A Portrait Photographer’s Solution

As a professional photographer who does everything from corporate headshots to personal portraiture, I’ve always believed in mastering your tools—and sometimes, even building your own.

While preparing for a recent headshot session, I realized I needed a reliable and efficient way to mount 1/2 CTB, 1/2 CTO, and Full CTO gels on my Godox AD300 Pro. Commercial gel holders were either bulky, inconsistent, or simply not made with the AD300 in mind. So I decided to create a custom solution—a 3D-printed gel mount, designed specifically for this beloved compact flash.

Why Use CTO and CTB Gels for Headshot & Portrait Work?

Color correction gels like CTO (Color Temperature Orange) and CTB (Color Temperature Blue) are essential tools in any portrait photographer’s lighting kit:

• Full CTO helps warm up the skin tone in cool ambient environments.

• 1/2 CTO creates a subtle golden glow, great for soft natural portrait effects.

• 1/2 CTB adds a cool, crisp edge—especially effective for corporate headshots with a modern, professional tone.

Having these gels quickly swappable makes it easier to adapt lighting to location, mood, and client preference without slowing down production.

The Mount: Clean, Practical, Purpose-Built

The DIY 3D-printed mount locks neatly onto the AD300’s round head using a lightweight frame that holds standard-size gels securely without tape or clips. It’s low profile, easy to pack, and quick to change out mid-session. I designed it for minimal heat trapping and smooth workflow—two things that matter when you're moving fast on-location or in tight indoor setups.

Portrait Photography Meets Practical Engineering

Whether I’m photographing a senior executive in a Shanghai boardroom or capturing a creative in a Hong Kong loft, I rely on small lighting gear that performs consistently. This mount—paired with my collection of custom-cut gels—has become an essential part of my portable headshot setup.