Studio Lighting: a sample studio setup

It doesn't take a big studio or a warehouse full of gear to create great portrait lighting. With a few pieces of equipment and a well thought-out setup, you can get professional results on a modest budget.

Our Studio Setup

Equipment list:

  1. Two 300 w/s monolights
  2. 35"x35" softbox
  3. Translucent shoot-through umbrella
  4. Convertible reflector disc
  5. Promaster light stand
  6. Background stand
  7. Seamless paper

Not shown:

  • Sekonic flash meter
  • Infrared remote flash trigger

Getting the shot

Step 1

Position your lights. We’ve used two lights in this setup, one for the subject and one for the background.

Step 2

Add a softbox to the main light for soft, complexion-flattering lighting. Add a translucent umbrella to the background light to make sure it's evenly lit and free of shadows.

Step 3

Add a reflector to bounce light from our main flash and fill in the shadows on the model's face.

Step 4

Use a light meter to ensure you get the proper exposure.

Step 5

Pose your subject and take your photo. It’s that easy!

Versatility

Keep in mind that this is just one example. By using the exact same pieces in different positions with different techniques, we were able to use this simple studio to produce a variety of lighting effects. Keep learning and keep experimenting - there's no limit to what you can do.