Portrait Photography How To

Not everyone who shoots portraits can have a fancy studio. Sometimes, you have to work with what you have, which can be a small space at home or even a room in an apartment. Just because you're shooting portraits in a small space doesn't mean you can't have professional-looking lighting though.

In the below video, beauty and portrait photographer Kayleigh June shares three easy portrait lighting setup for beginners working in small spaces.

"It can be really difficult for beginners when it comes to setting up lights for portraits," June says. "So, in today's video I decided to share some simple portrait lighting setups, particularly suitable lighting setups for small spaces. I originally had a home studio, so I wanted to share some studio lighting for beginners that requires only between 1-2 lights. Wherever you're working, these are really easy setups for a beginner."

#1: One Light with Octobox Setup

"This is also incorporating a reflector underneath the model's face," June says. "I really love this setup. And especially if you're in a very small space, this is all you need to take some great shots. I really enjoy using octoboxes because I feel they emit just the right amount of light for me to work with portraits. I usually tend to place the light directly in front of the model and I lift it high and angle it down into the model's face so you kind of get that butterfly effect with the shadows under the nose. It's really flattering for most people."

#2: Two Lights with Octobox or Beauty Dish as Key Light Setup

"Once again, place the key light directly in front of the model about a meter or so away from them, lifting it high and angling it down towards the model's face to get those really flattering shadows. And then incorporate another light for the backdrop. I usually tend to have this at a 45-degree angle off to the side out of shot. That will help illuminate the backdrop and help improve the colors if you're using a colored backdrop."

#3: Two-Light Clamshell Lighting Setup

"This would involve using two light and two softboxes. You move them into a soft V-shape in front of the model at a relatively good height about a meter away from the model and angled downward, so the light falls really flattering on the model's face. The effect this will give is more of a wraparound light. It can give a very nice golden effect. It really adds some beautiful catchlights into the eyes."