Articles By Topic

Lizzie in black lace dress beside glowing bare bulb portrait photography

A Single Bulb and a Seventeenth Century MoodNew

Pattern: Short-lit loop that tips towards Rembrandt, from a high, close, bare point source (an everyday LED light bulb!), with ...
Six year old Jess in red coat poses with Halloween pumpkin

How Jess Became Red Riding Hood | Halloween Portrait Photography Ideas

Some of the best halloween portrait photography ideas aren't planned at all. They just happen when the right person walks ...
Dramatic black and white single light portrait setup with moody side lighting

Five Portrait Looks with One Light

Want to know how many lights I typically use? Well, that's simple: just one. It's always been that way, as ...
Woman with long hair posing on stool in natural movement portrait photography

Photographing Natural Movement – Play With Hair

Photographing Natural Movement As a portrait photographer, I'm always looking for moments that look great but are also really natural ...
10,000 Hours of Practice

10,000 Hours of Practice

You've all heard the quote that 10,000 hours of practice is what's needed to become good at something. Well, there ...
Teenage boy seated on wooden stool, dramatic studio portrait with dark background

The Softbox Is Just A Window (How to make lighting easy!)

When I first started learning photography, particularly studio photography, I found the way people taught it really tricky. It was ...
Young woman with a soft expression, wearing an off-shoulder top against a light background.

Combining Broad and Narrow Lighting

A quick thought here, because we're photographing Abby in a fairly tight frame and not really thinking about moving her ...
Kinga posing in fairy light portrait photography with colorful spiral lights

Fairy Light Photography

If you're looking for something festive at this time of year, here's a lovely idea to try. Take a string ...
Memory Card Management: Don't Lose Those Precious Images!

Memory Card Management: Don’t Lose Those Precious Images!

One aspect that often gets overlooked in photography is the significance of memory cards. Every photograph you capture is stored ...
Young woman wearing glasses with visible lens reflections against dark background

Eliminating Reflections In Glasses

I am often asked about eliminating reflections in glasses during a shoot. The good news is that modern anti-reflective coatings ...
Katherine: Curls, Coat & Catchlights

Katherine: Curls, Coat & Catchlights

This was part of a commission for the Sassy hair styling team. The brief was to create images for PR, ...
High key portrait of woman in white outfit against white studio background

White On White With Vicki

This was a simple studio test. I was exploring a high-key look for future client work, much like a chef ...
Low camera angle portrait of woman in black quilted jacket and mirrored sunglasses

Katalyn, Sunglasses, and the Power of a Low Camera Angle

Discover how a low camera angle and carefully crafted studio lighting can transform a portrait. Using Katalyn's sunglasses as a ...
Roberto, Texture, and the Art of Quiet Light

Roberto, Texture, and the Art of Quiet Light

Explore how subtle, quiet light sculpts skin texture and mood in studio portraits with Roberto, demonstrating how less really is ...
A portrait of a 16-year-old boy standing in profile, facing left. He has curly hair and is wearing a dark school suit. Soft light from the right side highlights his face and hair, while the rest of the image fades into a dark, textured background. His pose is calm and introspective.

Feathered Light, Texture and Quiet Confidence – A Portrait of Kai

Discover how feathered light can bring beautiful texture and quiet confidence to your portraits, with a detailed look at studio ...
Moody & Minimal – A Backlit Portrait of Abi

Moody & Minimal – A Backlit Portrait of Abi

Discover how a simple backlit setup can create moody, minimal portraits that feel both intimate and striking – without overthinking ...
Abi And A Faux-Fur Coat | Shaping Light for Texture

Abi And A Faux-Fur Coat | Shaping Light for Texture

Discover how subtle shaping of artificial light brings out beautiful texture in a faux fur coat, revealing depth and detail ...
Elegant high-key lighting portrait of Abi in white off-shoulder dress

Abi | Elegance And Simple High-Key Lighting

Discover how to create elegant, simple high-key portraits with just a few lights and thoughtful positioning in this detailed breakdown ...
Bits, Bytes & Banding: Which File Format Is Best?

Bits, Bytes & Banding: Which File Format Is Best?

Choosing the right file format and bit depth can feel like decoding a secret language. Here’s a clear, no-nonsense guide ...
Millie | Feathering Light For A Soft-Low Key Image

Millie | Feathering Light For A Soft-Low Key Image

Discover how using feathered light in the studio can help you craft soft, low-key portraits that retain texture and mood ...
Katie | Advanced Lighting Isn't Always Complicated!

Katie | Advanced Lighting Isn’t Always Complicated!

Explore how advanced studio lighting doesn't have to be complicated, as we break down a simple yet effective lighting setup ...
Sam | Lighting To Show Physique

Sam | Lighting To Show Physique

Discover how Sam’s lighting setup sculpts physique and adds dimensionality in this clear, approachable breakdown of studio lighting ...
Monochrome studio portrait of bearded man with arms crossed against black background

Rob | Monochrome Studio Portrait

Dive into a beautifully moody monochrome studio portrait of Rob, where lighting meets emotion. Discover how simple light positioning sculpts ...
Fitness portrait photography of athletic man in gym wear, dramatic side lighting

A Picture of Health | Fitness Portrait In Harsh Sunlight

Discover how to master fitness portraits in harsh sunlight using natural light techniques that highlight strength and vitality without losing ...
Using The Room Sets - Step By Step Instructions

Using The Room Sets – Step By Step Instructions

Discover how to creatively work with your studio space and existing sets to elevate your portraits. This step-by-step guide demystifies ...
Matt & Rob | Light And Dark Skin With Simple Studio Lighting

Matt & Rob | Light And Dark Skin With Simple Studio Lighting

Matt Rob demonstrates how straightforward studio lighting can beautifully capture both dark and light skin tones, illuminating details and celebrating ...
Shooting portraits in direct sunlight: 3 tips

Shooting portraits in direct sunlight: 3 tips

Discover three practical tips for shooting portraits in direct sunlight, helping you tame harsh shadows, protect skin tones, and create ...
Isibel | Dynamic Gymnast Studio Portrait (With Flour)

Isibel | Dynamic Gymnast Studio Portrait (With Flour)

Dive into a dynamic studio portrait session with gymnast Isibel, where flour, movement, and expertly shaped Elinchrom light come together ...
Side-by-side broad vs short lighting comparison in black and white studio portraits

Flattering Lighting: Broad and Narrow Light Patterns

Different face shapes benefit from different lighting patterns. Read on to find out how to slim down a wide face ...
Alan | One-light low key business portrait photography

Alan | One-light low key business portrait photography

Discover how to craft a striking low-key business portrait using just one light. Alan's session offers practical insights into shaping ...
Lawrence | Outdoors Sprint Portrait For A Local Gym

Lawrence | Outdoors Sprint Portrait For A Local Gym

In this session with Lawrence, we explore the charms and quirks of outdoor natural light for a local gym portrait ...
Alex | Award-Winning Portrait Of A Modern-Day Explorer

Alex | Award-Winning Portrait Of A Modern-Day Explorer

Discover the lighting secrets behind my award-winning portrait of Alex, a modern-day explorer, capturing character with natural textures and masterful ...
Themyo | Creating Studio-Style Light With Two Windows

Themyo | Creating Studio-Style Light With Two Windows

Discover how to transform two ordinary windows into a dynamic natural light studio setup. This article breaks down the technique ...
Express Espresso Van

Express Espresso Van

A bright little adventure with an espresso van, exploring how to harness natural light for warm, inviting portraits on location ...
Bryony | High Key Office-Style Portrait

Bryony | High Key Office-Style Portrait

Discover how to nail that crisp, bright office-style high-key portrait using clever studio lighting shaped with Elinchrom flash gear – ...
Noah & Bailey | Telling A Story Using Viewpoint

Noah & Bailey | Telling A Story Using Viewpoint

Discover how Noah Bailey masterfully uses viewpoint and available light to tell compelling portrait stories that truly resonate ...
Close-up portrait crop of young woman with long dark wavy hair

Four Portrait Cropping Ideas

Discover four creative ways to crop your portraits that elevate your composition and storytelling. From tight headshots to environmental crops, ...
Finn | Topshade and Framing in a Doorway

Finn | Topshade and Framing in a Doorway

Discover how to use topshade and doorway framing as natural light modifiers to craft beautifully controlled and flattering portraits without ...
Smiling woman seated in velvet wingback chair in moody interior portrait

Sam | A Window-Lit Portrait in a Client’s Home

Join me as I explore a simple yet elegant portrait session using just window light in a client’s home. This ...
Lucy | Portrait of an Artist In Her Home

Lucy | Portrait of an Artist In Her Home

A warm, intimate portrait of Lucy, captured using only the gentle natural light of her home. Discover how available light ...
Film-Inspired Group Portrait

Film-Inspired Group Portrait

Discover how to harness available light to craft natural, film-inspired group portraits that breathe with character and warmth ...
Sparks Fly | A Welder At Work

Sparks Fly | A Welder At Work

Join me as I dive into capturing the fierce beauty and raw energy of a welder at work, using available ...
David | Spotting A Location... After A Shoot

David | Spotting A Location… After A Shoot

Join me as I wander Devon’s sunlit streets, spotting that elusive patch of available light — the secret ingredient to ...
Florence | Location Scouting & Cloud Cover

Florence | Location Scouting & Cloud Cover

Follow me on a blustery Florence afternoon as I explore cloud cover and how it shapes the light for portrait ...
Cimmie | Feminine Urban Portraiture

Cimmie | Feminine Urban Portraiture

Join me in an engaging dive into the charm of available light portraiture, captured beautifully in an urban setting with ...
Phill | Outdoor Portrait Of A Groom-To-Be

Phill | Outdoor Portrait Of A Groom-To-Be

Discover how to harness available daylight for authentic outdoor portraits with practical insights from a groom-to-be shoot ...
Using Location To Avoid Portrait Fatigue

Using Location To Avoid Portrait Fatigue

Feeling stuck in a portrait rut? Discover how changing your location can reignite creativity and keep your sessions fresh and ...
Jade | Wintery Woods Portrait

Jade | Wintery Woods Portrait

Exploring the delicate dance of available light in a wintery woodland portrait with Jade — capturing mood, texture, and natural ...
Running In The Rain

Running In The Rain

Exploring the magic of capturing dynamic portraits in the rain, this article dives into techniques that turn tricky weather into ...
Kate | Intrigue In The Abbey

Kate | Intrigue In The Abbey

Exploring how to use unpredictable available light to sculpt portraiture with atmosphere and mood in a stunning old abbey ...
Group Graffiti Portrait In London

Group Graffiti Portrait In London

Discover how to capture vibrant, dynamic group portraits on the streets of London, blending natural and creative light to make ...
Laura | Headshot For A Teenage Actor

Laura | Headshot For A Teenage Actor

A playful yet thoughtful dive into lighting setups for teenage actor headshots—balancing natural skin tones with controlled studio flash ...
Young man in suit jacket, dramatic shadow portrait with dark background

Mark | Sculpting A Face In A Dramatic Shadow Portrait

Discover how Mark sculpts faces with shadows using studio lighting to create depth and dimension in portraiture. Learn to read ...
Julia | How To Feather Studio Light

Julia | How To Feather Studio Light

Discover how to feather your studio light to create softer, more natural portraits with control, finesse, and minimal effort ...
Meg, black and white Hollywood glamour portrait using beauty dish lighting

Meg | Hollywood Glamour Portrait

Dive into the art of Hollywood glamour portraiture with this detailed look at classic studio lighting featuring a single Elinchrom ...
Symone studio portrait using a one light photography setup against dark background

Symone | One-Light Studio Portrait

Discover the magic of creating compelling studio portraits with just a single light. This session with Symone unpacks practical tips ...
Gina | Sensual Portraits

Gina | Sensual Portraits

Exploring the delicate dance of light and shadow in Gina’s sensual studio portraits, this article breaks down the lighting setups ...
Rhys | Low-Key Hair Salon Portraits

Rhys | Low-Key Hair Salon Portraits

Step inside the moody world of Rhys’s low-key hair salon portraits, where clever studio lighting sculpts texture and personality against ...
Lizzie | High Key Striplight Portrait

Lizzie | High Key Striplight Portrait

Dive into the nuanced world of high-key portrait imagery with Lizzie, where precision striplight placement sculpts natural skin textures and ...
Bruno | Channeling James Dean

Bruno | Channeling James Dean

Discover how to create moody, vintage-inspired portraits with this classic studio lighting setup, perfectly channeling a James Dean vibe ...
Ben | The Story Of How Our Book Cover Came To Be

Ben | The Story Of How Our Book Cover Came To Be

Discover the story behind the cover portrait of 'Mastering Portrait Photography' and the studio lighting setup that brought Ben's image ...
Rui | A Little Smoke And A Lot Of Bokeh

Rui | A Little Smoke And A Lot Of Bokeh

Discover how a bit of smoke and plenty of bokeh transformed this location portrait session with Rui — all using ...
Kieran, Tom & Evan | Creating Footballer Hero Portraits

Kieran, Tom & Evan | Creating Footballer Hero Portraits

Join me as I share the creative process behind capturing heroic footballer portraits on location, using natural and shaped light ...
Katalin | Channelling Rembrandt With A Speedlight In An Alleyway!

Katalin | Channelling Rembrandt With A Speedlight In An Alleyway!

Join me on a gritty urban adventure where off-camera speedlight magic meets moody Rembrandt vibes, all crafted in a shadowy ...
Young boy kicking football mid-air with dramatic flash and ambient light mix

Alfie | Using Off-Camera Flash For A Comic Book Kick

Discover how to wield off-camera flash outdoors to create dramatic, comic book style punch in your portraits. Alfie’s session shows ...
Rhodri | Portrait Of A Chef At The Pass

Rhodri | Portrait Of A Chef At The Pass

Join me as I share the story behind a portrait session with Rhodri, a chef at The Pass, exploring how ...
Sophie | Horror-Inspired Fashion Portrait

Sophie | Horror-Inspired Fashion Portrait

Join me as I unravel a moody, horror-inspired fashion portrait of Sophie shot on location using just a mix of ...
Lily & Sam | Lighting The Snow For A Wintery Nighttime Kiss

Lily & Sam | Lighting The Snow For A Wintery Nighttime Kiss

Discover how to craft magical winter night portraits with off-camera flash, shaping the cold, snowy darkness into a warm, intimate ...
Chris And Kyra | Outdoor Newborn Portrait

Chris And Kyra | Outdoor Newborn Portrait

Discover how to gently capture newborn portraits outdoors using soft, available light. Practical tips, client care, and creative flow all ...
Katalin | Using A House As A Massive Reflector

Katalin | Using A House As A Massive Reflector

Discover how to transform an everyday house into a giant reflector to craft soft, flattering natural light for your portraits ...
Iris | Soft Portraits In Hard Sun

Iris | Soft Portraits In Hard Sun

Discover how to transform harsh midday sunlight into soft, flattering portraits using just a little creative thinking – no fancy ...
Eddie | Window-lit Groom's Portrait

Eddie | Window-lit Groom’s Portrait

Discover the magic of window light for natural, emotive groom portraits at Le Manoir. Learn how to use soft, directional ...
Dealing With Reluctant Subjects

Dealing With Reluctant Subjects

A warm and witty guide to working with reluctant subjects—helping you tame nerves, build trust, and capture portraits full of ...
Off-Camera Flash At The Skatepark

Off-Camera Flash At The Skatepark

Exploring how off-camera flash can transform gritty skatepark portraits, this article breaks down lighting setups, creative choices, and working with ...
Ryan | Woodland Misty Portrait

Ryan | Woodland Misty Portrait

Discover how Ryan Woodland harnessed misty conditions and shy sunlight to create an intimate, natural light portrait that's all about ...
Sam | Airborne BMX With Flash Heads In The Frame

Sam | Airborne BMX With Flash Heads In The Frame

Jump into this session with Sam zooming through the BMX park, where we explore using off-camera flash heads mid-air to ...
Dory | Beautiful, Studio-Lit Stranger

Dory | Beautiful, Studio-Lit Stranger

Discover how subtle shaping and natural approach to studio lighting create striking, soulful portraits that feel like real people, not ...
Bryony | Topshade & Frames Within Frames

Bryony | Topshade & Frames Within Frames

Exploring natural available light and the creative use of frames within frames to craft intimate, layered portraits that sing of ...
Willow | Super-Simple Daylight Portrait

Willow | Super-Simple Daylight Portrait

Discover how to make the most of simple daylight in your portraits with practical tips and subtle lighting strategies, no ...
Tiffany | Framed By Flora

Tiffany | Framed By Flora

Join me as I explore the subtle magic of natural window light in this portrait of Tiffany, framed beautifully by ...

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