4 Essential Portrait Lighting Patterns
Starting out with photography lighting can feel a bit like learning a brand-new language, and it is completely normal to feel a little intimidated.
Pro Lighting Tips for Nighttime Portraits
For many photographers, the setting sun signals the end of a shoot, but for Ray Alvarez, it’s when the real magic begins. Nighttime offers a unique canvas of glowing streetlights and deep shadows that you just...
5 Creative Beauty Lighting Techniques
Beauty photography is all about the fine details, the texture of the skin, the pop of the makeup, and how light shapes the face.
Strobe vs. Sunlight: Pro Secrets for Natural-Looking Flash Portraits
Have you ever found the perfect location, only to realize the harsh midday sun is ruining your shot? Many photographers shy away from using a strobe outdoors because they’re afraid it will look fake or...
How to Use Reflectors for Better Natural Light Portraits
Have you ever arrived at a beautiful outdoor location only to find the sun is working against you? Whether it’s harsh raccoon eyes at high noon or a background that is way brighter than your subject, lighting...
How to Create a Mirrored Lighting Effect In-Camera
We’ve all been there. You have a brilliant experimental lighting idea, you try it out, and the results are… fine. They’re not bad, but they aren't exactly what you saw in your head.
Using Flash to Mimic Natural Window Light for Portraits
Window light for portraits is beautiful when you have it, but that is not always the case. Maybe the room has no windows, or the light is hitting from the wrong side, or the sun has already set.
How to Create Multiple Portrait Looks with One Portable Strobe
Great outdoor portraits start with seeing the light, not fighting it. In this video, portrait photographer Eli Infante shows how a small, portable flash setup can help you work faster and get better portraits...
How to Choose the Best Light Modifiers for Portrait Photography
Selecting the right lighting modifier can feel overwhelming. There are softboxes, umbrellas, reflectors, beauty dishes, strip boxes, grids, and that is just the beginning.
Mastering Beauty Dish Portraits
If you have ever picked up a beauty dish and wondered how to get the most out of it, this guide will show you everything you need to know.
Mastering Golden Hour Portraits with Off-Camera Flash
Mastering Golden Hour Portraits with Off-Camera Flash Golden hour is famous for its warm, flattering glow. It’s soft, it’s dreamy, and it naturally makes portraits look better.
Getting Started with Newborn Photography | Lighting & Posing Tips
Newborn and maternity photographer Evie Lynn Deaton is known for her calm energy and clean, natural style. Her studio is cozy, quiet, and perfectly set up to keep sleepy babies and new parents comfortable.
Pro Desk Lighting Setup for Content Creators
Photographer Jerry Ghionis shows how a few well-placed lights can totally change the way you look on screen. Whether you’re hopping on Zoom or filming short videos, lighting can help you look polished,...
Enhancing Window Light Portraits with Flash
Window light has a timeless beauty that portrait photographers love, but it’s also unpredictable. Westcott Top Pro Photographer Julie Gayler of Little Rock, Arkansas, shows how to take control of that...
Cinematic Lighting for Documentary Interviews
Photographer and filmmaker Shanyn Fiske uses Westcott’s constant lighting tools to create clean, natural cinematic lighting for both the interview footage and b-roll used throughout a documentary.
How to Make Flash Look Natural in Outdoor Portraits
Mark Behrens and Steve Batz of Panoptic Photography are known for taking portraits that look effortless and natural, even when flash is used.
3 Creative Ways to Use Gels in Portrait Photography
When you want to capture bold, dramatic portraits, gels unlock a world of creative possibilities. Few tools are as effective or as fun for transforming the mood of an image.
Getting Started in Volume Photography
Sheryl Bashore has built a proven system that keeps sessions organized, stress-free, and profitable while giving families photos they’ll treasure.
Creating Cinematic Portraits with LED Continuous Light
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.
Creating Dramatic Portraits with One Light
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
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?