Techniques for brighter amibient/smaller pupils?

What do you use in-studio/on location when the ambient light is low to get your subjects pupils to be smaller? My latest problem I am seeing in my shots is that my subject's pupils are often too large due to low ambient. I typically use two or three speedlights for my on-location lighting. I do not have studio strobes with modeling lights. What can I use to brighten up the ambient to make the subject's pupils smaller before the shot short of aiming a halogen at them like in an interrogation room? What do most people here do? I did a shoot the other day where the subject's pupils were so large you could hardly see any iris.

If your Speedlite setup has enough power to overcome a brighter ambient lighting setup, then merely have some ambient lighting added to the environment.

The best solution, of course, would be to invest in some studio type lighting that has modeling lights. You would be amazed at the increased possibilities when using studio type lighting and large softboxes, etc.

Indoors I leave modeling lights on and also room lights. Haven't tried closeups in late evening outside so don't know. Maybe flash the subject with higher power. In full body and half body shots, it will be hard to see the pupil size make any difference.

Would shinning a bright flashlight in the model's eyes prior to snapping a few photos work? It may be mean...but it works!

If you don't necessarily need modeling lights then just adding ambient room light from a couple of lamps or ceiling lighting and that should do it. If you're using some form of modeling light that will usually do it as well.

I wouldn't shine a flashlight into the models eyes.