Great lighting doesn’t just make you look good. It tells a story — about confidence, character, and whether your face looks like it belongs on a LinkedIn banner or a supermarket rewards card.
For clients booking a headshot in Adelaide, lighting is the hidden sauce behind every strong image. It sculpts the face, hides distractions, and draws attention exactly where it needs to go — usually the eyes.
This post isn’t about boring lighting diagrams. It’s a quick, practical breakdown of what your photographer is doing with all those lights — and why it matters for your face.
Not all faces are lit equally. What works for a sharp-jawed bloke might make someone else look like they’re melting under fluoro lights.
The job of a good headshot photographer isn’t just to show up and press a button. It’s to figure out which combination of light and shadow suits the face in front of them — and what story that lighting should tell.
Do you want:
A soft, flattering look that smooths skin?
A bold, moody style with shadowed cheekbones?
Something clean and corporate with no drama?
Good lighting sets that tone in seconds — before you’ve even had time to blink.
In simple terms:
Key light is the main source of light. It shapes the face and sets the mood.
Fill light is the backup. It softens the shadows left behind by the key.
Together, they decide how dramatic (or gentle) your headshot feels.
A strong key with barely any fill gives punchy, shadowy contrast — great for actors or creatives. A balanced setup with even fill feels more polished — ideal for business headshots.
Your photographer will adjust both based on your face, style, and where the headshot’s going.
Let’s run through a few lighting setups you might hear about — or spot in your final images.
Named after the painter (not the cheese), Rembrandt lighting uses a triangle of light under one eye and shadow on the other side of the face. It’s moody, sculpted, and flattering for people with strong cheekbones or who want a dramatic look.
🡪 Best for: creatives, musicians, actors, or anyone who wants a bit of edge.
One side lit, the other in shadow. Clean, dramatic, and bold — like you’re about to drop a killer TED Talk or challenge someone to a duel.
🡪 Best for: strong personalities, high-contrast looks, edgy branding.
A small shadow loops off the nose — hence the name. It adds depth without going full theatre.
🡪 Best for: almost everyone. It’s flattering, classic, and works across corporate and creative styles.
The light’s placed above and slightly in front, creating a butterfly-shaped shadow under the nose. Think old Hollywood glamour, but still modern.
🡪 Best for: symmetry lovers, high cheekbones, strong jawlines.
This one’s about angles:
Broad lighting shines on the side of the face turned toward the camera.
Short lighting hits the side turned away.
Broad lighting widens the face. Short lighting slims it. The photographer chooses based on your face shape and what you want the image to say.
🡪 Best for: tailoring the photo to flatter your unique features.
This one’s about overall brightness:
High-key = bright, clean, low contrast. Think friendly, corporate, or approachable.
Low-key = dark, dramatic, high contrast. Think creative, moody, or mysterious.
🡪 Best for: matching the vibe of your industry or brand.
Not everything needs a second light. Sometimes a simple reflector bounces enough light back to fill in shadows — especially for outdoor headshots or mobile setups.
Reflectors can smooth shadows under the chin, brighten the eyes, or give a natural glow without adding extra bulk to the setup.
A good headshot isn’t just lighting and gear — it’s about knowing how to use both to flatter your face, suit your brand, and not make you look like a deer in headlights. If you’re due for a proper photo, book a session below.
Sometimes clients see the setup and think, “Is this going to work?” It might look weird to have half your face in shadow or light bouncing off a silver disk.
But trust the lens. What feels strange in real life often looks perfect once framed, lit, and snapped with purpose.
This is where experience matters — knowing how to shape light, not just turn it on.
Loop or butterfly lighting usually flatters most people. It softens shadows, defines the face, and works across both corporate and creative styles.
Use a single key light positioned based on the style you want — then add a reflector if needed. It’s simple but still offers control over shape and contrast.
Hard light creates strong shadows and sharp contrast. Soft light wraps around features, reducing lines and texture. Most headshots use soft light to keep things flattering.
Bright, even lighting feels approachable. Directional light with shadows adds drama or depth. Your photographer chooses based on how you want to come across.
Not always. Natural light looks soft and organic, but it’s less predictable. Controlled lighting gives the photographer more precision — especially indoors or in bad weather.
Yes. It’s the difference between a flat, lifeless photo and one that feels confident and intentional. Lighting shapes the face and directs the viewer’s focus.
That’s probably split, short, or Rembrandt lighting — all designed to add depth and sculpt the face. It’s not a mistake. It’s a technique.
Soft, even lighting using loop or butterfly setups works best. It keeps things clean, approachable, and professional without adding drama.
You can — but most people don’t need to. The photographer will choose based on your features, goals, and what suits you best on the day.
Every headshot session with Shameless Visuals includes a proper lighting setup — no guesswork, no generic settings. Whether it’s natural light or a mobile studio setup, the lighting is chosen based on what actually suits the person.
Before the shoot, clients receive a quick prep guide (like this one) and help choosing outfits (yes, there’s a guide for that too).
Photos are fully retouched, shot in RAW, and you get everything worth keeping — including candid in-between moments that show off personality.
If you’ve been putting off a session, this is your sign to sort it.
Sessions are mobile, easygoing, and built around how you want to come across. Business, creative, or something in between — lighting is handled, editing is included, and you’ll walk away with photos that actually look like you (on a good day). No stress, no drama, no overthinking it.
This article was written by Corey M — the bloke behind Shameless Visuals, based right here in Adelaide. Whether it’s chasing the Southern Lights through a frosty paddock or setting up lights in a boardroom, the job’s the same: find the shot that actually means something.
When Corey’s not editing until his eyeballs hurt, he’s out shooting everything from commercial campaigns to birthday chaos to full-scale conference coverage. No fluff, no gimmicks — just real work that makes people take notice.
If you’re here reading this, chances are you’re after more than just a pretty picture. Here’s what Shameless Visuals actually does:
Professional headshot photography for teams, creatives, and anyone who’s sick of cropping themselves out of group shots.
Commercial photography in Adelaide that shows products and brands at their best — not in some soulless stock style.
Real estate and drone photography that makes listings stand out, even in a flooded market.
Event and corporate photography that captures energy, moments, and actual people (not just blurry backs of heads).
Portrait photography that brings out character without making it awkward.
Boudoir photography that’s more about confidence than clichés — completely private, entirely on your terms.
Explore the full range at the Shameless Visuals homepage or get in touch here to book something real.
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Your project is unique, let’s make sure it’s given the attention it deserves. Hit the button below to head over to our contact page. I’d love to know more about what you’re wanting to achieve and how I can help you make that dream a reality!