I think a reflector is better than a light – and it'll cost you less too!

Using a reflector
Hannah Rooke using a reflector for portrait photography (Image credit: Hannah Rooke)

One of the most basic, most effective, and honestly one of the most useful tools you can buy for portrait photography is the humble reflector. You can seriously elevate your photos just by redirecting or diffusing the light already available to you and the best thing about them? They’re cheap to buy, perfect for anyone just starting out.

The best reflectors for photography come in a variety of different shapes and sizes but your best bet is investing in a 5-in-1 which includes a gold, silver, white, and black surface plus a diffuser for softening light. I’d always try and opt for one with a handle so you can easily hold it and shoot one-handed. That means if you're shooting without a friend or assistant to help you, it's still possible to manage. 

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Hannah Rooke
Staff Writer

Having studied Journalism and Public Relations at the University of the West of England Hannah developed a love for photography through a module on photojournalism. She specializes in Portrait, Fashion and lifestyle photography but has more recently branched out in the world of stylized product photography. For the last 3 years Hannah has worked at Wex Photo Video as a Senior Sales Assistant using her experience and knowledge of cameras to help people buy the equipment that is right for them. With 5 years experience working with studio lighting, Hannah has run many successful workshops teaching people how to use different lighting setups.