Creative Portrait Lighting Techniques I Use in Every Session

Lighting is the foundation of portrait photography. It shapes faces, creates mood, and transforms ordinary images into extraordinary ones.

## My Go-To Lighting Setups

### 1. Rembrandt Lighting
This classic setup creates a small triangle of light on the shadowed cheek. It's dramatic yet flattering, perfect for adding depth and character to portraits.

**Setup**: Position your key light at 45 degrees to the side and slightly above the subject's face.

### 2. Split Lighting
For a bold, dramatic look, I use split lighting where exactly half the face is lit and half is in shadow.

**Setup**: Place your light source 90 degrees to the side of your subject.

### 3. Butterfly Lighting
This glamorous lighting style creates a small butterfly-shaped shadow under the nose.

**Setup**: Position the light source directly in front and above the subject's face.

## Natural Light Techniques

You don't always need expensive equipment. Natural light can be incredibly powerful:
- **Golden hour**: Shoot during sunrise/sunset for warm, flattering light
- **Window light**: Use a north-facing window as a soft, diffused light source
- **Reflectors**: Bounce natural light to fill shadows and add dimension

## Adding Creative Elements

To make portraits stand out, I often incorporate:
- Colored gels on background lights
- Backlighting for rim light effects
- Practical lights in the scene (lamps, candles, LED strips)
- Textured shadows using gobos or natural elements

## The Most Important Element

Technical knowledge is important, but remember: the connection between photographer and subject creates the best portraits. Make your subject comfortable, communicate clearly, and let their personality shine through.