Lighting Tips

Improve your still and motion photography with top-notch lighting tutorials, videos, and articles by some of the industry’s most influential filmmakers and photographers.

Pro Desk Lighting Setup for Content Creators

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Enhancing Window Light Portraits with Flash

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Cinematic Lighting for Documentary Interviews

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How to Make Flash Look Natural in Outdoor Portraits

Panoptic Photography

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Three creative treatments with color gels

3 Creative Ways to Use Gels in Portrait Photography

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composite photo of girls dancing

Getting Started in Volume Photography

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Sheryl Bashore has built a proven system that keeps sessions organized, stress-free, and profitable while giving families photos they’ll treasure. In this article, she shares the strategies that make her one of the most trusted names in volume photography.

Creating Cinematic Portraits with LED Continuous Light

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When Ian Spanier sets out to create a dramatic portrait, he looks to the sun for inspiration, shaping studio lighting the way nature shapes light. In this video, Ian walks us through his “what you see is what y...

Creating Dramatic Portraits with One Light

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Few photographers use light to shape mood and drama quite like Joel Grimes, and his top-down approach is a perfect example. In this video, Joel shares one of his go-to techniques for adding drama to a portrait ...

Getting Started with Studio Lighting

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If you’ve ever felt unsure where to begin with studio lighting, you’re not alone. In fact, one of the most common questions Westcott photographer Ashley Boring hears is, “How do I start using flash?” In this be...

Portrait Lighting & Posing Techniques: An In-Depth Tutorial Guide with Jerry Ghionis

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Over the course of 60 minutes, this lighting tutorial will show how Jerry sculpts light with the Ice Light 3, draws out emotion through subtle direction, and builds dynamic compositions that work for individuals, couples, and editorial-style shoots.

Creating Moody Portraits: Studio Lighting Breakdown

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Westcott photographer Ashley Boring shares how she transformed a simple studio into a warm, painterly environment using just a few props, carefully selected backdrops, and of course, creative lighting.

Transform Any Space into a Studio: Sports Portrait Lighting with Jaison Sterling

Jaison Sterling

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When it comes to creating dynamic portraits of athletes, you don’t need a fancy studio, just smart lighting and a good game plan. In this behind-the-scenes video, photographer Jaison Sterling walks us through how he transformed a high school gym into a dramatic portrait set for a wrestler using a few portable strobes, clever modifiers, and some strategic light placement.

How to Simulate Sunlight in Studio Photography

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Joel Grimes breaks down one of his go-to studio setups using just two lights to mimic the feel of natural sun. It’s a repeatable, controlled way to get dramatic shadows and that cinematic outdoor style, all from the controlled environment of your studio.

Lighting Breakdown: How to Film a Corporate Video

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Westcott videographer Jacob Schoonover shows how he tackled a commercial shoot for a local business using constant lights, portable light modifiers, and a flexible mindset to capture great footage with a minimal setup.

How to Create Light Trails for Dynamic Portraits

Jaison Sterling

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Jaison Sterling of Rock Town Media set out to feature dynamic light trails and motion blur in this shoot using a mix of strobes and continuous lighting. Jaison walks us through how to freeze motion while also showcasing it in a single frame.

Full Lighting Breakdown: High Aperture Portraits

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Photographer Ian Spanier takes us behind the scenes for a deep dive into how he captures studio portraits using high apertures. This shoot is a revisit of a personal project photographing motorcycle riders in h...

Woman with blonde hair in a black jacket staring off

Creating Cinematic Night Portraits | Lighting Guide

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Capturing cinematic night portraits is all about using light, atmosphere, and composition to create something special. In this video, renowned photographer Jerry Ghionis shares creative ways to use the Ice Ligh...

Storytelling with Light

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Photographer Joel Grimes is a master at using lighting to create compelling narratives. His recent photo shoot at Simpson Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona, exemplifies his skill and artistry. Faced with intense des...

5 Creative Features of the FJ800 and FJ400 II

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If you love pushing creative boundaries, the FJ Wireless System offers much more than just TTL and HSS. In this video, photographer Ashley Boring from Westcott reveals some lesser-known—but super powerful—featu...

Creative Mask: How to Get More Looks in Less Time

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Wish you could deliver more variety without constantly tweaking your lights? Creative Mask makes it possible in seconds. In this video, Brandon from Westcott shows you how he captured 36 unique looks in und...

Creative Lighting Techniques for Indoor Sports Portraits

Jaison Sterling

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Looking to capture powerful, dramatic sports portraits? You’ve come to the right place! Photographer Jaison Sterling, of Rock Town Media, shot a volleyball-themed photo session at Elmwood High School and came a...

Portable Portrait Lighting On Location

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Portable flash systems are game-changers for photographers who want flexibility, control, and professional-quality lighting on location. Whether you’re shooting portraits, fashion, or creative setups, understan...

Mastering Difficult Lighting Situations with the FJ800 Strobe

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In this guide, we’ll explore how you can control light exposure while keeping sharp detail and contrast—no matter how tricky the light conditions might be. Photographer Joel Grimes takes us through two amazing ...

Family portrait using FJ400 strobe

Capturing Generational Family Portraits with Off-Camera Flash

Michele Celentano

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Photographing family portraits, especially across multiple generations, brings both rewards and challenges. In this session, photographer Michele Celentano shares her approach to capturing a four-generation fam...

Pro Tips for Large Family Portraits: Lighting & Posing Group Photos

Michele Celentano

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Photographing large families, especially with young children, can be one of the most challenging tasks for any photographer. However, with the right techniques, you can turn this challenge into an opportunity t...

Flash Power vs. Portability: Comparing FJ400 & FJ200 Strobes

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Choosing the right off-camera flash can significantly impact the quality and efficiency of your photography. Whether you're capturing portraits in a studio, shooting portraits on location, or covering events, t...