Creating professional headshots doesn't mean you need expensive or complex lighting setups. Umbrellas, though often overlooked, can deliver beautifully flattering light with simplicity and versatility.
Coming to you from Lindsay Adler with Adorama, this practical video explains exactly how you can use three different umbrella modifiers to craft impressive headshot lighting. Adler starts by breaking down why umbrellas often get ignored: they're inexpensive and often picked up by beginners who haven't yet learned to control light effectively. But, as she points out clearly, umbrellas offer more than just affordability—they’re easy to set up, versatile, and adaptable enough for various shooting environments. She demonstrates that the key to making the most out of umbrellas lies in how you choose and modify them.
Adler’s setup begins with a medium-sized silver umbrella, softened with a diffusion panel (often called a sock), producing a light similar to a softbox but simpler to assemble. The resulting illumination is soft, though Adler notes the background can be too dark for some headshots. She addresses this by adjusting either the subject’s proximity to the backdrop or the umbrella’s angle. Adler also explains clearly how shadows on the subject's face can appear heavy, recommending adding a silver reflector to bounce in extra fill light. Rather than relying on someone holding it, she suggests using a stand that can hold up to three reflectors, giving control over shadows and highlights without assistance.
Next, Adler introduces a second umbrella as a hair or rim light, using a small white bounce umbrella positioned behind the subject. She discusses two useful approaches: placing the umbrella high overhead for a hair highlight, or adjusting its angle lower for subtle rim lighting. This flexibility allows for effective separation of the subject from the background, crucial for dynamic headshots. Adler emphasizes how lightweight umbrellas simplify booming setups, making adjustments manageable even in spaces with limited room or low ceilings.
Finally, she adds a shoot-through umbrella as a background light, explaining its particular effectiveness in smaller studio spaces. Because the umbrella allows light to pass through directly, it creates a gentle gradient of light without requiring extra distance between the modifier and the backdrop. This approach gives a controlled, professional look to the background, easily adjusted for either a high-key, bright feel or a moodier, darker style.
Throughout the video, Adler provides direct, no-nonsense advice about positioning each umbrella, balancing exposure between multiple lights, and fine-tuning setups to suit different subjects or preferences. The straightforward explanations make it easy to replicate her techniques, especially if you're new to headshot photography or working in a smaller studio. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Adler.
If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out "Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!"
