Here’s one of my favorite flash photography setups that’s not only quick to set up but delivers magazine-quality portraits every time, once you get the hang of it. If you’re a portrait photographer looking for an easy lighting solution that works reliably in a variety of environments, this technique is one you need to know.
This method uses just two flash units, some basic modifiers, and a simple placement strategy that gives your images that extra pop. I walk you through the exact steps I used during my editorial work for magazines—work that often had me under tight deadlines, often shooting in small spaces with limited gear.
In the video, I cover the gear you’ll need (spoiler: two flashes and a couple of shoot-through umbrellas will do the job) and how to position your lights for a cross-lighting effect. This technique adds a beautiful kicker and/or hairlight to your portrait, which gives it a more polished and dimensional look.
I’ll also share why I prefer manual settings over TTL for this setup and some example settings to get you started.
