THE ART OF ONE LIGHT PORTRAITS: HOW TO CREATE STUNNING IMAGES WHIT SIMPLICITY.
When it comes to portrait photography, you don’t need a full studio packed with lights to create beautiful, professional results. In fact, some of the most powerful portraits are created with just one light. Working with a single light source allows you to simplify your setup, focus on your subject, and truly understand how light shapes emotion, depth, and mood in your images.
Why One Light Is Enough?
Many photographers think they need multiple lights, reflectors, and modifiers to get professional results. But one light — placed intentionally — can create drama, softness, or even mimic natural daylight. Think about the sun: it’s just one light source, yet it gives us countless moods and looks throughout the day — from the soft glow of dawn, to the harsh midday contrast, to the golden tones of sunset. In the same way, mastering a single light source gives you endless possibilities. Once you understand how to shape and control it, one light is all you need to create portraits that are dynamic, emotional, and professional.
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE MOST FAMOUS ONE LIGHT SET-UP: THE REMBRANDT LIGHT
Rembrandt lighting is one of the most recognizable and timeless portrait setups.
Where does it come from?
The style is named after Rembrandt van Rijn, the 17th-century ,Dutch painter and master of light and shadow. In many of his self-portraits, you’ll notice this exact effect — a natural triangle of light beneath one eye, created by the way sunlight filtered through a window in his studio. Unlike the evenly lit portraits common in his era, Rembrandt embraced contrast and depth, giving his subjects a sense of drama, realism, and soul.
Photographers later adopted the technique, realizing it was not only beautiful but also practical: with a single light source (or even just a window), you can sculpt the face to create mood and dimension. Today, it remains one of the most powerful one-light setups because it balances drama with naturalism — perfect for both fine art and professional branding portraits.
HOW TO ACHIEVE THE REMBRANDT LIGHT .
To achieve it, it is very symple!
What you have to do is place your light at about a 45-degree angle to your subject and slightly above eye level.
The Subject: Facing slightly away from the camera (around 30–45° angle).
Key Light:
Positioned high and to the side of the subject (usually 45° from the camera).
Create a small triangle of light under the far eye (the one away from the light).
Use a softbox or umbrella for diffused light.
Background: Can be dark or light, depending on mood , make the subject a little far to create more dramatic effect.
Here an exemple .
Rembrandt Studio light
Rembrandt self portrait.
In this black and white portrait, I used one strobe light positioned at a 45-degree angle to the left with a small softbox, creating a dramatic effect on the portrait.
The backdrop was a cream wall at my studio.
I then converted the photo to black and white to enhance the mood and emphasize the shadows even more.
This is a perfect example of a simple Rembrandt light.
LOOPING LIGHT
Looping light is similar to Rembrandt, but with a softer effect. Move your light slightly closer to the camera so the shadow of the nose creates a gentle “loop” rather than a deep shadow. Perfect for flattering Portraits.
If you prefer softer shadows, add a reflector to the opposite side of your model for fill light. The closer the reflector, the more the softer the shadows.
Hear a diagram example of the Looping light.
Hear a clear example of the Looping light portrait took at my studio in West Hollywood .
I used a brown background , one light and one reflector.
(Portraits of actor Enrique Arce)
Enrique Arce Portrait
When you use this light the face it comes alive, full of drama, full of soul. It is-a not just light, it is-a story, it is-a feeling. You try, you play, you look… and suddenly, your portrait, it sings! Capito? So, go ahead, have fun, and let-a the light do its dance!
Do you have some questions? Let’s get in contact!
Annie’s First Portrait: From Nervous Beginner to Bold Businesswoman
Many of my clients arrive at their first branding session feeling nervous — and Annie was no different.She had built her business from the ground up, starting with nothing but determination.Today, she’s proud, strong, and bold — a true self-made woman but she had never been in front of a professional camera. Like so many entrepreneurs, she wasn’t sure how to dress, what to show, or how to feel confident during the shoot.
That bold spirit was part of her identity, and I wanted to make sure her photos reflected that. Branding photography is not just about a pretty picture; it’s about telling a story.
That’s where my job starts.
With Annie, I started by listening to her story.
Before Annie ever set foot in my studio, we spent almost an hour on the phone together. I wanted to know everything — how she started, where she came from, what challenges she faced, and what she was most proud of.
That conversation wasn’t about photography. It was about her. By the end, I knew that Annie wasn’t just booking a photo session — she was stepping into a new chapter of her life, one where her image finally matched the power of her story.
After hearing her journey, I helped her design a shoot that reflected her true essence.
created a mood board for Annie. It was filled with colors, textures, and outfit ideas that reflected the woman she was becoming: bold, successful, and unapologetically herself.
But we didn’t stop there. I set up a shopping day — and that’s when everything changed.
At first, Annie was shy, unsure if certain styles “were really her.” She had never thought about clothes as part of her business identity. But the more outfits we tried, the more fun she had. Her energy shifted. She started to see herself not just as the woman who built a business from nothing, but as the woman who was ready to show the world her power.By the end of our shopping trip, Annie wasn’t just holding new clothes — she was holding a new vision of herself. She told me she felt like she was finally stepping into the role she had worked so hard to create.
THE TRASFORMATION
When Annie showed up at the studo that I book for her to match her goals, she still carried a little hesitation. Her hands were stiff, her smile a little uncertain. But I reminded her of the story she had told me — how she built her business, how she proved to herself she could stand tall.
Then, the magic happened.
Before a single photo was taken, we focused on something very important: makeup.
I always tell my clients that professional makeup isn’t about changing who you are — it’s about enhancing what’s already there. For Annie, who had never done a branding shoot before, this step was essential to help her feel confident.
That was the turning point. The nerves melted away, replaced by excitement. She no longer worried about how she would appear in the photos — she was ready to shine.
That’s why it’s so important to work with a professional makeup artist you trust.
And that’s the magic of makeup in branding photography: it’s not about hiding, it’s about revealing the best version of yourself
READY FOR THE SHOOT!
By the time Annie finished her makeup, slipped into her carefully chosen outfits, and glanced at the mood board we had created together, something had shifted.
The nervous woman who first called me saying “I don’t know how to dress… I’ve never been in front of a camera” was gone. In her place stood a confident, radiant businesswoman — proud of her journey, ready to show the world who she had become.
She laughed.
She loosened up.
She saw herself on the preview screen and finally said: “Wow, that’s me?”
By the end of the session, Annie wasn’t just taking photos — she was owning them.
Do you want to know more about the personal branding portrait? Read here!