Articles By Topic
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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
You've all heard the quote that 10,000 hours of practice is what's needed to become good at something. Well, there ...
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 ...
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 ...
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!
One aspect that often gets overlooked in photography is the significance of memory cards. Every photograph you capture is stored ...
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
This was part of a commission for the Sassy hair styling team. The brief was to create images for PR, ...
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 ...
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
Explore how subtle, quiet light sculpts skin texture and mood in studio portraits with Roberto, demonstrating how less really is ...
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
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
Discover how subtle shaping of artificial light brings out beautiful texture in a faux fur coat, revealing depth and detail ...
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?
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
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!
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
Discover how Sam’s lighting setup sculpts physique and adds dimensionality in this clear, approachable breakdown of studio lighting ...
Rob | Monochrome Studio Portrait
Dive into a beautifully moody monochrome studio portrait of Rob, where lighting meets emotion. Discover how simple light positioning sculpts ...
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
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 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
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)
Dive into a dynamic studio portrait session with gymnast Isibel, where flour, movement, and expertly shaped Elinchrom light come together ...
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
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
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
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
Discover how to transform two ordinary windows into a dynamic natural light studio setup. This article breaks down the technique ...
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
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
Discover how Noah Bailey masterfully uses viewpoint and available light to tell compelling portrait stories that truly resonate ...
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
Discover how to use topshade and doorway framing as natural light modifiers to craft beautifully controlled and flattering portraits without ...
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
A warm, intimate portrait of Lucy, captured using only the gentle natural light of her home. Discover how available light ...
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
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
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
Follow me on a blustery Florence afternoon as I explore cloud cover and how it shapes the light for portrait ...
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
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
Feeling stuck in a portrait rut? Discover how changing your location can reignite creativity and keep your sessions fresh and ...
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
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
Exploring how to use unpredictable available light to sculpt portraiture with atmosphere and mood in a stunning old abbey ...
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
A playful yet thoughtful dive into lighting setups for teenage actor headshots—balancing natural skin tones with controlled studio flash ...
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
Discover how to feather your studio light to create softer, more natural portraits with control, finesse, and minimal effort ...
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 | 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
Join me on a gritty urban adventure where off-camera speedlight magic meets moody Rembrandt vibes, all crafted in a shadowy ...
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Discover the magic of window light for natural, emotive groom portraits at Le Manoir. Learn how to use soft, directional ...
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
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
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
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
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
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
Discover how to make the most of simple daylight in your portraits with practical tips and subtle lighting strategies, no ...
Tiffany | Framed By Flora
Join me as I explore the subtle magic of natural window light in this portrait of Tiffany, framed beautifully by ...

