Lights, Camera, Action: How to How to Light Yourself Like a Pro

At Sunny Side Up Studio, we firmly believe that with the right lighting, you can look fabulous from any angle. Yes, even that “bad” side you’ve been hiding. Whether you're filming a quick TikTok, showcasing your products, recording a podcast intro or taking your next LinkedIn profile picture, lighting is the secret ingredient to bringing out your best self. We are talking glambot status, shoutout Cole Walliser.

Truth is: Even if you're not a professional, you can still level up your photography game with a few quick adjustments. So, grab your phone, set up your camera, and get ready to light yourself up like the star you are!

Before we get into any fancy setups, let’s talk basics. There are two main types of light you’ll be working with: natural and artificial.

• Natural light: This is the sun, the MVP of all lights. It’s free, it’s everywhere and it’s the perfect “flawless filter” you’ve always wanted.

• Artificial light: This is your studio set-up, your ring light or your LED (light - emitting diode) panels. LED lights are efficient, affordable and can be easily adjusted for color and brightness. You can make yourself look like you’re basking in a sunset or under the cool moonlight with just a few tweaks.

Bonus Tip: Timing is everything when it comes to natural light. Golden hour - right after sunrise and just before sunset - is your secret weapon for that flawless, warm glow.

1. Reading the Room and Finding Your Main Light Source

In the world of video and photo, your key light is the star of the show. This is the main light source that will illuminate your beautiful face. When working with natural light, simply find a window that provides soft, diffused light. You’re basically inviting the sun to be your personal spotlight.

• Position yourself next to the window

• Avoid facing harsh light directly

• Turn off overhead lights

• Cloudy days are your bff

2. Perfect Placement

It’s not just about where the light comes from, but where you put it. Lighting placement is a game-changer and will up your in no time.

• Put your key light at a 45-degree angle from you

• Make sure it’s come slightly above your head and pointed down, again like the sun

• Avoid lighting from underneath, it’ll make the shadows look very wonky

Bonus Tip: Add a “fill light” (aka a white card or reflector) on the opposite side to soften the shadows.

3. Level Up Without Breaking the Bank

We know that you want that professional, studio-quality lighting without maxing out your credit card. Good news: you don’t need a fortune to light yourself like a pro.

• Ring lights: Perfect for solo shoots or when you need a flattering glow. They’re compact, affordable, and great for social media photos or short form video.

• Softboxes: These magical contraptions mimic the effect of window light without a window! They are soft, even, and most importantly, flattering.

• DIY hacks: Got some household lamps or white poster boards lying around? Amazing. Put them to use! White poster boards will help bounce existing light onto you for little to no cost.

• LED panels: The grown-up version of a ring light. These panels allow you to adjust both brightness and color temperature. That means you can go from “sunset glow” to “cool morning light” at the flick of a switch.

4. Permission to Play

The best part about lighting? You can play around! Lighting is constantly changing, and the beauty of it is that there are no wrong answers, just what feeling you’re trying to evoke with light.

• Try out different angles and positions for the light – maybe a little higher, maybe a little to the left. Every slight change can give you a different vibe.

• Test and experiment at different times of day to see how natural light shifts, or adjust the color temperature of your artificial lights to match the time of day (warm for morning, cooler for evening).

So, next time you are complaining that you can’t shoot today because of the bad lighting… take out your phone or camera, adjust your lighting and get snapping!!

At Sunny Side Up Studio, we love helping our clients shine in front of the camera, and lighting is one of our favorite tools to make that happen. If you are looking for someone else to light yourself like a pro, schedule a free consultation with us today: https://www.ssustudio.com/workwithus

Because when it comes to looking your best, we’ve got your back – and your lights.