How to create simple headshot lighting setups.

Elevate your portrait photography by using simple lighting techniques to create pro-level headshots.

Headshot photography is one of the most common forms of portrait photography, and many photographers start shooting headshots using natural light, which can produce nice results. However, by adding a few simple lighting setups to your repertoire, you can make your subjects really pop.

How to create eye-catching headshots with one light.

Lighting setups don’t need to be overly complicated to produce great results. With just one strobe light, you can create a wide variety of lighting effects using simple modifications. Here are some examples:

• Add a softbox or diffuser: Soft, flattering light works well on nearly every person. By adding a softbox or diffuser to your strobe, you can position your strobe at nearly any angle and achieve great results.
• Use a reflector: You don’t need more than one light to create the illusion of multiple light sources. By adding a reflector to your lighting setup, you can create a beautiful “fill light” effect that softens shadows by reflecting your “key” light (main light source) back onto your subject
• Experiment with angles: When playing with lighting setups, angles make a big difference in the final result of your images. Try shooting with your light aiming directly at your subject, then at a 45 degree angle on each side. Move your light closer, then further away. Each adjustment will yield different results and you can decide which works best for your subject and style.

With just a few minor adjustments to a single strobe light, you can create dozens of different lighting setups that will flatter nearly any headshot subject.

Explore everything you can do with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to give your images the final professional touches — and deliver beautiful results every time.