Best Lighting Modifiers for Portrait Photography

In this blog, we'll explore the best lighting modifiers for portrait photography, how they work, and how to use them effectively. You'll discover which modifiers are right for your style—so let’s dive in!

Understanding Lighting Modifiers

A lighting modifier is a common tool that helps photographers control how light looks in a photo. It can make the light softer, brighter, darker, or more focused, depending on what the photographer wants.

Think about a lamp in a room. If the light is too harsh, you can put a lampshade on it to soften it. If you want more light in one spot, you can use a mirror to reflect it. Lighting modifiers work the same way—they help shape the light to make a photo look better.

Photographers use lighting modifiers to soften harsh light so it's more flattering, control shadows to make sure they look natural orcreate different moods, such as soft and warm or dramatic and bold.

The most common lighting modifiers are: 

• softboxes (which spread light evenly);

• umbrellas (which bounce light for a natural look); 

• and reflectors (which brighten dark areas). 

These tools help photographers take better portraits by ensuring the lighting looks just right. In the next section, we will review them all in more detail.

Read also: Mastering Studio Lighting for Portrait Photography: Tips and Tricks

Soft Light Modifiers

Softboxes

A softbox is one of the best tools for softening light and creating natural, even illumination. It works by diffusing harsh light through a white or semi-transparent front panel, reducing strong shadows and giving you better control over how the light falls on your subject.

Softboxes are a go-to for both studio and home setups because they offer flexibility and a polished, professional look. They come in different shapes and sizes, each designed for specific lighting needs. So, let’s break them down and find the right one for you.

Softbox Shapes:

• Rectangular softboxes are great for general portraits as they mimic window light.

• Octagonal softboxes (octaboxes) produce a more rounded, natural catchlight in the eyes, which is ideal for beauty and fashion portraits. 

• Strip softboxes are tall and narrow and are perfect for shaping light in full-body or side-lit portraits. 

Softbox Sizes:

• Small softboxes (12"–24") are great for tight spaces or close-up headshots. 

• Medium softboxes (24"–36") are a balanced choice for portraits, soft light but still controlled. 

• Large softboxes (48" and up) are best for super soft light and are ideal for studio setups.

At the end of the day, the right softbox depends on the type of portraits you shoot and the look you’re going for.

Read also: Portrait Lighting Setup: How to Light Your Shots Like a Pro

Umbrellas

A lighting umbrella is a simple yet effective tool for softening and spreading light. It looks like a regular umbrella but is designed to work with studio lights. When light hits the umbrella, it either bounces off or passes through, creating a softer, more natural illumination.

There are two main types of umbrellas: 

• Reflective umbrellas have a shiny inside (white, silver, or gold) that bounces light back onto the subject. 

• Shoot-through umbrellas are made of white, see-through material that softens light as it passes through.

Umbrellas offer many benefits. They soften light quickly and reduce harsh shadows to create natural-looking portraits. They can cover large areas and are ideal for group photos or wide shots. Umbrellas are generally affordable, easy to use, lightweight and portable.

Just like softboxes, umbrellas come in different sizes, each affecting light quality and coverage:

• Small umbrellas (30" or less) are best for tight spaces or close-up portraits. 

• Medium umbrellas (30"–45") are perfect for individual portraits. 

• Large umbrellas (45" and up) are ideal for full-body shots or group photos.

Diffusers & Scrims

A diffuser or scrim is a thin, see-through material that softens light by spreading it out. Photographers use diffusers and scrims to control brightness, reduce harsh shadows, and create a more natural look.

Diffusers and scrims are great for softening harsh light, making them ideal for outdoor portraits in bright sunlight. They also reduce strong shadows and give a natural and professional look by smoothing out skin tones. Diffusers and scrims work with any light source and can be used with the sun, studio lights, or flash.

Diffusers and scrims come in different sizes, depending on the effect you want to achieve:

• Small diffusers (12"–24") are great for headshots and small adjustments. 

• Medium scrims (36"–48") are ideal for single-person portraits, creating soft, even light. 

• Large scrims (60" and up) are best for full-body shots or groups, especially in outdoor settings.

Hard Light Modifiers

Beauty Dishes

A beauty dish is a unique light modifier that blends soft and direct light, creating a signature glow with subtle shadows. It features a shallow metal design with a small central reflector that disperses light evenly.

Beauty dishes create soft but detailed light, add a natural glow to the skin, make eyes pop in photos, and are great for shaping the face perfectly by adding gentle shadows for depth and dimension.

The size of a beauty dish affects how the light wraps around your subject. Here’s how to choose the right one for your needs:

• Small beauty dishes (12"–16") are best for tight spaces or headshots with focused light. 

• Medium beauty dishes (20"–22") are a great choice for most portrait work, balancing softness and detail. 

• Large beauty dishes (27" and up) are ideal for softer, more even lighting in beauty and fashion photography.

Reflectors & Bounce Cards

A reflector is a simple yet powerful tool that bounces light back onto your subject, helping to fill in shadows and enhance brightness. Made from lightweight, reflective materials like silver, gold, white, or black, it redirects light to create a more balanced, well-lit image.

A bounce card works similarly but is smaller and more direct. Typically white, it’s used in close-up shots or with a flash to soften shadows and provide subtle illumination.

Reflectors can also influence the mood of an image depending on their color:

• Gold reflectors add warmth and a sun-kissed glow.

• Silver reflectors enhance contrast and increase brightness.

• White reflectors provide neutral, soft light for an even, natural look.

Reflectors come in different sizes, depending on the level of coverage needed:

• Small reflectors (12"–24") – Best for headshots or directing light into specific areas.

• Medium reflectors (36"–48") – A versatile choice for individual portraits and general use.

• Large reflectors (60" and up) – Ideal for full-body or group shots, helping to fill in large shadow areas.

Grids & Snoots

A grid is a honeycomb-like structure that attaches to a light modifier, such as a softbox or beauty dish. It focuses the light into a tighter beam, reducing spill and directing it precisely where needed.

A snoot is a tube-like attachment that fits onto a light, narrowing the beam into a concentrated spotlight. This makes it ideal for highlighting specific areas, creating dramatic effects, and adding depth to portraits. 

Using grids & snoots is great in portrait photography for many reasons. They allow you to control light spills and focus the light exactly where you want it. They also create dramatic lighting and can add highlights, create shapes, or isolate your subject. Finally, they add depth and texture.

As for the grid and snoot sizes, check out this cheat sheet:

• Grids come in various sizes depending on the light modifier they attach to:

  • Small grids (7"–10") – Provide a tight, focused beam for precise lighting.

  • Larger grids (12"–20") – Spread light slightly more while maintaining control.

• Snoots are typically 7"–12" in diameter, with a narrow opening that concentrates light for strong directional effects.

Choosing the Right Modifier for Your Portrait Style

When picking a lighting modifier, there are a few things to think about, like:

• your budget, 

• how portable the equipment is, 

• and whether you'll be using it in a studio or outdoors. 

If you're just starting out, umbrellas and reflectors are affordable and easy to carry, making them perfect for outdoor shoots or small studio spaces. Beauty dishes and softboxes are great choices if you want more control over your light, but they may cost a bit more.

Think about your portrait style, too! A softbox or beauty dish will give you a soft, flattering light for headshots. A beauty dish is ideal for beauty photography because it adds a nice glow to the skin and highlights facial features. For environmental portraits, where you might be shooting outdoors or with a background, a reflector or scrim can help soften harsh sunlight and balance the light on your subject.

Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment and mix modifiers! Try using a softbox for overall soft light and a grid to add focused light to specific areas. Combining different modifiers can help you create unique looks that match your personal style. Just have fun and see what works best for your photos!

Read also: How to Pose and Angle the Body for Better Portraits

The Bottom Line

Lighting modifiers are key to creating beautiful portraits. Each modifier, from softboxes to beauty dishes and reflectors, offers a unique way to shape and control light. By experimenting with different modifiers, you'll be able to shape the lighting to suit your subject and your style.

Whether you're shooting in the studio or outdoors, a lighting modifier can help you capture the ideal lighting. So, don't be afraid to try out new setups and see what works best for you. The more you experiment, the more you discover how lighting modifiers can elevate your portrait photography to the next level!