← Journal

May 2026

Three essential portrait lighting setups

The three lighting patterns I reach for on almost every shoot, and when each one earns its place.

Most portraits come down to three setups you can build anywhere.

Window light at 45 degrees for softness, a single hard source for drama, and a backlit silhouette when the story is mood over detail.

Learn these three and you can light a face in any room you walk into.