How to Not be Scared of Studio Lights

Ever since I started photography back when I was fifteen, I always thought of myself as a natural light photographer. I actually even… despised the studio lights look back then. The whole aesthetic was the opposite of what I was about. I especially hated “badly” done studio lights or snapshot type of flash (the type some-predatory-photographers-I-won’t-name did). So because of these preconceptions in my head I avoided studio photography for many many years. When I did want to finally try it out, I realized I am actually terrified of studio flash. So in this post I will share what helped me and how to not be scared of studio lights.

The Fear

So where did this fear comes from? What I feel it always comes down to – is that we are scared of things we don’t know well. Because I have avoided trying studio lights, I didn’t get comfortable with it. When I was younger, I was hoping (naively) I might not have to do it for work. But that is very unrealistic – studio lights is a must now, and used almost everywhere to have better control of the result. And once the brands wanted me to actually use studio lights, I of course didn’t feel confident in myself. I didn’t know if I would do a good job. Because I didn’t put in the necessary time with it.

Everything comes from experience, and to get over the fear, the only way is through. By doing it as much as possible until it comes natural. So only after doing many shoots in the studio I can now say I feel okay. And that’s not because things don’t go wrong! In fact, they DO, almost every time. But I feel confident enough that I will find a solution now – that is the difference.

How to not be Scared of Studio Lights

Some advice and things I have found helpful:

Watch a lot of Youtube videos. There is an amazing amount of free lighting set ups and tutorials on there. Many great courses are also out there – search up Lara Jade or Felix Kunze. Follow photographers on instagram that share their behind the scenes and lighting set ups. Like Olivia Bossert – she’s been extremely helpful as she is also trying many different lights lately and showing exactly how she achieved it.
Any lighting set ups that you like the look of – make a note of it in a way that makes sense to you. For example: keep it as bookmarks on your browser, have a notebook where you can doodle the set ups, make a private Pinterest board for lighting inspo (this is what I personally do)…
Come to shoots prepared. Depending on the theme and mood of the shoot, do research before it and come with some ideas noted down for yourself. Know exactly what type of lighting you would like to try for it and how to achieve it.
Then try new set ups and just see what works in practice. To feel good in the studio, actually hire out one and do some tests with models there. You can just find your “go to” lights for many scenarios and then next time you will know exactly what you would like to do.
Keep it simple if you’re still nervous! No need to try some elaborate 4 light set ups with accessories if you could get a good light with 2 (or even one!) big soft box.
And if something doesn’t work – no need to freak out just yet. Just change it – check your other lighting ideas and move the lights until it does look right. You will not look foolish just because you are trying and switching the set up to get the best result.

Sugar + Style Winter 2020

As an example, I’ll use this shoot I’m sharing today. This is an E-Commerce / Fashion Lookbook for Sugar + Style Autumn Winter 2020. We wanted to shoot it in one of the Shutter House Studios, but the one that we really wanted wasn’t available. We then resorted to this smaller one, and we simply imagined this space a little bit differently. I thought I might still be able to use some natural light from the windows to create a softer dreamier look. But the day was super dark and that was simply not an option. So I had to try a few things using the space we had – and ended up with this grungy background + going out looks combination that I do feel is very interesting.

Lighting set up

One big Octobox right in front of the model – high up and angled down. (I would say around 45 degrees).
A smaller softbox from the right side is also at an angle downwards – lighting up the lower part of the model in full length images.
A black polyboard on the left side of the model to get more contrast/shadows

Let me know what your journey with lights has been down below, and what scares you about it the most? (if anything). What is your favorite “go – to” lighting set up and do you have any tips how to not be scared of studio lights?

I am definitely still learning myself and it still can feel stressful, but it’s all about keeping at it. You can see my other studio work on my blog too.