One of the most important elements that can make or break a portrait is lighting. Lighting can dramatically alter the mood, feel, and quality of a portrait. While there are various lighting setups and techniques, understanding the basics—Key Light, Fill Light, and Hair Light—can significantly improve your portrait game. In this blog post and video,…
Beginner portrait photographers often freeze when the photo shoot is supposed to begin. If you get stuck wondering where to start with your lighting setup, here are a few things to keep in mind. And remember, we always want to start with the key light in a common sense placement.
In this Flash Photography for Portraits crash course (updated for 2025), I go over all the important things you’ll need to know to get started. The course will teach you about flash photography for portraits. Learn about different flash gear options (speedlites and strobes), flash synchronization, lighting modifiers, how to take advantage of TTL and…
Creating dramatic portraits with flash photography is all about harnessing the power of light and shadow to evoke emotion and tell a deeper story. In this video, I explore how to use shadows to create a mood that goes beyond the surface, making your portraits feel more intense and mysterious. The direction and intensity of…
Are you confused by manual flash photography power settings? In this video, I’ll break down everything you need to know to understand how those numbers work, no matter what brand of flash you’re using. ✅ Why flash power settings matter for your portraits. ✅ How to adjust your flash from full power to the lowest…
If you have ever been curious about artistic photography that features the human form, this video walks through how to get started in a thoughtful, realistic way. Not from the perspective of someone who already feels completely confident, but from the place most photographers begin: interested, uncertain, and trying to understand what the work actually…
Bodyscape photography is one of those genres that often looks far more complicated than it really is. When you see a finished image with strong contours, deep shadows, or soft luminous highlights, it’s easy to assume the photographer was working with complex lighting setups and a lot of specialized gear. In reality, you can create…
Photographers often ask me about getting into bodyscape, boudoir, or other forms of artistic figure photography. Not just the technical side, but the personal side. The hesitation. The discomfort. The feeling that you are curious about the work, yet unsure whether it fits within your own boundaries or values. In this video, I talk openly…
Beginner portrait photographers should understand how even small changes in the distance from the light to the subject can have major effects. This video also discusses how to control exposure on the background in basic portrait lighting setups.
Flash photography can seem a little overwhelming with all the concepts and techniques there are to learn. But, if you want to become a good portrait photographer, understanding these elements is necessary. Here’s a quick overview of five key aspects of flash photography that I cover in the video below. TTL: What Is It? TTL,…