I’ll be honest: I didn’t start out as a studio portrait photographer. Far from it, I was purely and simply an available-light kind of guy (mostly because I didn’t have the space, the kit or, indeed, the desire to use studio lighting!)
But then, slowly and light by light, modifier by modifier, I figured out just how creative working in a controlled environment can be. Besides, it rains quite a lot here in the UK and having the ability to create stunning portraits while it’s chucking it down outside the window was not unappealing.
For me, the hook was figuring out the parallels between my beloved daylight (whether it was out in the open or pouring through a pub window) and the gorgeous light you could get from a softbox. Once I had figured that out, I could visualise everything I needed and the studio imagery sprang to life.
In this section you’ll find examples of studio-lit portraits with notes about the shoot, the shot, the how and the why (knowing why we light the way we do is the most valuable thing to understand as it allows you to have an idea and then, well, create it!)
Studio Lighting
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 ...
Video: Master Studio Dog Portraits
Join me as we explore a simple yet effective one-light studio headshot setup, mastering shallow depth of field and subtle ...
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 ...
Phil Hitchcock – A Touch of Magic
Phil Hitchcock is one of those rare humans with funny bones. He walked into our studio, shook the room with ...
Moody Studio Portrait: Emelia With Attitude
The Subject This is Emelia – fiery, fabulous and full of fun. Photographed during a family session with Kimberley, Luke, ...
Less Is More: Using the Absence of Colour
Discover the subtle power of monochrome and minimalist lighting in studio portraits, exploring how absence of colour can amplify mood ...
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 ...
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 ...
Video: Five Ideas For High-Key And Low-Key Studio Portraits
Explore five practical and stylish lighting ideas for high-key and low-key studio portraits, packed with tips to shape light and ...
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 ...
Video: Studio Lighting For Available-Light Photographers
Discover how to bring a studio vibe to your available light portrait sessions with simple video lighting techniques and clever ...
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 ...
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 ...
Video: Beautiful dog portraits with natural and studio light
Discover how to create beautiful dog portraits by blending natural and studio light, with practical tips on lighting setups, focusing, ...
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 ...
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 ...
Video: Headshots with whatever you’ve got (studio flash / speedlights / windowlight)
Discover how to nail headshots using whatever light source you have—studio flash, speedlights, or good old window light—with practical tips ...
Video: Tutu Tutorial With A Beautiful Ballerina
Step inside a lively portrait session with a stunning ballerina, where intuitive natural light meets client-focused posing in a dreamy ...
Video: Replicating a windowlight portrait using studio lighting
Ever wondered how to conjure the soft, natural feel of window light with studio flash? Join me as I break ...
Video: Characterful portrait trio of Rob using studio lighting
Explore a lively behind-the-scenes video showing a trio of characterful portraits of Rob, crafted using expressive studio lighting setups that ...
Video: Three studio portrait ideas for working with dark skin
Exploring three distinct studio portrait lighting setups tailored to beautifully illuminate dark skin tones, enhancing natural textures and tones ...
Video: Studio portraits of Princess Amelie using a simple light set-up
Discover how to create beautiful, timeless studio portraits with a straightforward light setup, featuring Princess Amelie in a natural, warm ...
Video: Studio portrait of a ballet dancer en pointe
Join me in the studio capturing a ballet dancer en pointe as I share lighting choices, posing tips, and essential ...
Video: Capture elegant portraits with soft but simple studio lighting
Discover a straightforward yet elegant approach to studio lighting that produces soft, flattering portraits using minimal gear and thoughtful setups ...
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 – ...
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 ...
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 ...
Video: One-light Studio Portrait Of Lily in the red dress
Join me as we break down a simple yet highly effective single Elinchrom light setup for a studio portrait session ...
Video: One-light studio headshot with shallow depth of field
Join me as we explore a simple yet effective one-light studio headshot setup, mastering shallow depth of field and subtle ...
Video: Lily, Sam, Multiple Studio Strobes And A Little Romance!
Join me as I break down a studio session capturing Lily and Sam using multiple Elinchrom strobes, layering light with ...
Video: Studio-Style Portraits of Bob with one Flash Gun
Join me as I break down a straightforward yet effective studio lighting setup using a single flash gun to sculpt ...
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 ...