How Light Creates the Perfect Professional Headshot

Have you ever wondered why some headshots make people look amazing while others just don't quite look right? The secret lies in something we see every day but might not think much about – lighting! As a professional photographer, we've learned that lighting is like magic for creating beautiful headshots that make people feel confident and look their absolute best. Everyday we all take advantage of light: the sun. The sun provides beautiful light for us all. Different seasons throughout the year provide different type of lighting. It’s amazing how a beautiful sunset on the beach or in the beautiful Sierra Mountains can provide a calm mind. The same location during noon or high sun can feel very different. The same is true with corporate headshot photography. Lighting changes the mood and how we feel when we look at an image.

Why Lighting Matters

Think of light as a painter's brush. Just like an artist uses different brushstrokes to create a masterpiece, photographers use different types of light to highlight someone's best features. Good lighting can smooth out skin, make eyes sparkle, and create a professional look that helps people stand out in their business profiles or acting portfolios. Typically, at Rojas Photography we always photograph headshots with 3 lights. Why is that? Using 3 lights in a triangle configuration creates zero shadows on the face. This lighting will smoothen skin texture and it looks amazing! We also use a technique known as feathering the light, which is essentially the ability to utilize the softest part of a light modifier. Do we use other types of lighting? Of course, but it all has to do with the intended use of the photo.

Natural Light: Your Best Friend

The majority of our headshots are done indoors with studio lights and backgrounds. However, since we serve corporate businesses the request may be for outdoor headshots. Backgrounds play a big role when creating headshots outdoors. Typically, corporations request outdoor headshots because they want foliage or greenery in their photos. Modern buildings nowadays have shrubs, trees, and other types of foliage in the front area which is a great place to take advantage of the greenery in backgrounds. The time of day and season is key: it’s hard to plan outdoor headshots during the winter months, due to the lack of cooperation of weather. We currently are working with a business that wants their team photos outdoors. Their first request is outdoors, but due to weather we have a back-up plan: indoors. If you want outdoors team photos, always have another location indoors to ensure there is a back-up plan, there is nothing worse than planning a team photo day outside only to realize weather is not working out for us.

Studio Lighting Secrets - Triangle

In a photography studio, we can control every aspect of lighting to create the perfect look. Here's what we typically use:

Main Light: This is like the sun in our studio – it's the primary light that illuminates the face
Fill Light: Think of this as a helper light that softens shadows
2nd Fill Light: Create a beautiful fill light from the bottom to ensure no shadows are on the face.

Other Types Of Studio Lighting

We start every headshot with the triangle setup because its the most flattering, if we had to pick 1 style, it would be the triangle setup. However, we utilize all types of lighting for headshots. When we talk about lighting, it is a method to create flattering photos. Every face, smile, and facial shape is different. We work through different lighting setups depending on the individual and need of the photo. While there is no such thing as “men” lighting, we do utilize a key light as a “kicker” which creates dimension to a photo that contains dramatic lighting.

Common Lighting Mistakes to Avoid

Even the most photogenic person can look unflattering with poor lighting. Here are some things we always watch out for:

Harsh overhead lighting that creates dark eye shadows
Direct sunlight that makes people squint
Uneven lighting that leaves half the face in shadow(dramatic lighting isn’t always bad, there must be a reason for it).
Too much backlighting that turns people into silhouettes(unless we’re trying to get the silhouettes effect).

Getting It Right Every Time

The key to perfect headshot lighting is understanding how light shapes the face. We always look for:

Catchlights (those tiny sparkles in the eyes that make them come alive)
Soft, even lighting across the face
Subtle shadows that create depth without being too harsh
A natural-looking glow that enhances but doesn't overpower

Tips for Better Headshots

Whether you're getting your headshot taken or interested in photography, here are some helpful tips:

Use big modifiers and strip boxes, feather lights for the most flattering look
Avoid standing directly under harsh overhead lights
Look for shaded areas on bright sunny days
Position yourself near large windows for beautiful natural light

Making Magic with Light

Remember, great lighting isn't about having the most expensive equipment – it's about understanding how light works and using it to create beautiful images. When done right, good lighting can make anyone feel like a superstar in front of the camera.

Let's Create Something Beautiful

Every person deserves to have a headshot that makes them feel confident and look professional. With the right lighting techniques, we can capture the very best version of you – the one that shows the world just how amazing you truly are.

The Importance of Lighting in Headshot Photography