If you’ve ever felt like everyone else understands photography except you… welcome. 😅

Maybe your photos feel inconsistent.

Ever get home from a session and wonder why one side of your subject’s face looks perfect… while the other side looks like it disappeared into a shadow?

Yeah. Same.

And if you’ve ever found yourself spending way too much time trying to “fix” uneven lighting in Lightroom, this blog is for you.

The good news?

Your camera is not broken. You just need a plan.

One of the simplest tools we use to create brighter, more consistent portraits is a reflector. And the best part is that you do not need expensive gear or complicated lighting setups to make it work.

Let’s keep this simple.

Watch the video version here 🎥

What does a reflector do?

Why we use reflectors at almost every session

Let’s be honest for a second.

Natural light is amazing.

It’s also unpredictable.

Clouds move.
Subjects turn.
Locations change.

A reflector helps create consistency no matter where you are shooting.

We use them because they help us:

• Create more balanced light
• Improve skin tones
• Reduce harsh shadows
• Make editing much easier

And honestly?

Anything that saves editing time is a win in our book.

What size reflector should you use?

There isn’t one perfect reflector.

It depends on what you’re photographing.

Smaller reflector (40″)

We love using a smaller reflector when photographing:

• Individual seniors
• Headshots
• Close-up portraits

Because it’s smaller, it’s easier to position and control.

Larger reflector (48″ x 72″)

The larger reflector is our go-to when photographing:

• Families
• Couples
• Full-body portraits
• Larger groups

Since it covers more area, it can spread light across the entire subject more evenly.

If you’re photographing multiple people, the larger reflector is usually the easier option.

Gold or silver reflector?

This is one of the most common questions we get.

The answer depends on the light you’re working with.

Gold reflector

Use a gold reflector when:

• Your image feels cool
• Skin tones need warmth
• You want a slightly golden look

Silver reflector

Use a silver reflector when:

• You need stronger reflected light
• You want a more neutral look
• The existing light already feels warm

We typically use gold or silver most often.

Both work great.

How to position a reflector

Okay, this is where photographers sometimes overcomplicate things.

Don’t.

Here’s the simple version:

Move the reflector until you see light hit your subject’s face.

Seriously.

That’s the secret.

As you’re holding the reflector, watch the shadow side of the face.

When that side starts brightening up, you’ve found your spot.

You don’t need measurements.

You don’t need complicated diagrams.

You just need to watch the light.

Natural reflectors are everywhere

Using a reflector as shade

Here’s a trick many photographers don’t think about.

Sometimes we don’t use the reflector to reflect light at all.

We use it to block bad light.

If you have:

• Spotty sunlight
• Harsh patches of light
• Bright hotspots on a face

You can use a reflector above your subject to create shade.

This helps create more even lighting and prevents distracting bright spots across the face.

It’s a simple fix when you’re stuck in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.

What to focus on instead

Your next action step

Grab a friend.

Walk around town.

Find three different locations.

Take one photo without a reflector.

Take one photo with a reflector.

Then compare them side by side.

You’ll start noticing patterns really quickly.

And once you see what light is doing, photography becomes so much less frustrating.

Final thoughts

If you’ve ever felt like everyone else understands lighting except you, welcome.

We’ve been there.

The good news is that lighting is learnable.

You do not need to memorize a hundred complicated techniques.

You just need to start paying attention to what the light is doing and make small adjustments.

A reflector is one of the easiest ways to do exactly that.

And once it clicks, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to start using one.

Want more simple photography tips every week?