Lighting can make or break a shoot, especially when it comes to commercial beauty photography. Having a go-to lighting setup that you can rely on will streamline your workflow and ensure consistent, high-quality results for your clients.
Coming to you from Kayleigh June, this informative video explores June’s preferred lighting setup for commercial beauty photography. June emphasizes the importance of an octabox as a versatile and essential tool for beauty photographers. While some argue that beauty dishes are crucial, June believes that octaboxes offer a wider range of lighting possibilities, from soft and diffused to more editorial and high-end looks.
June's go-to setup typically involves two strobes. The first strobe, equipped with an octabox and a single layer of diffusion, serves as the key light. It's positioned high and angled down towards the model's face to minimize unflattering shadows. The second strobe, with a simple square softbox and one layer of diffusion, illuminates the backdrop, ensuring accurate color representation. June also incorporates a white reflector to bounce light back into the eyes and soften shadows, further refining the overall look.
For video setups, June opts for a deep umbrella with one layer of diffusion as the primary light source. This deep umbrella effectively spreads light across both the model and the backdrop, often eliminating the need for additional lights. June stresses the importance of using a powerful LED light for video to ensure adequate illumination and prevent exposure issues. Check out the video above for the full rundown from June.
