2 Creative Lighting Setups for Valentine's Day Beauty Portraits

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, you may be looking for new ways to shoot unique and creative Valentine's-themed portraits. In this video, renowned fashion photographer Lindsay Adler gives you just that. With her signature bold and graphic style, Lindsay delivers two striking setups for a Valentine’s Day photoshoot: one that’s dramatic and minimal, and another that’s colorful and playful. Here’s how she pulls them off.

Look #1: A Dramatic One-Light Setup

The first look keeps things simple but impactful. The makeup design features a heart shape on the model’s face, combined with bold, saturated colors. To let the makeup do the talking, Lindsay opts for a single-light setup that delivers drama without distraction.

She uses one white beauty dish placed directly in front of the model, centering the light on her face. This creates sculpted shadows and a high-contrast look that’s clean and eye-catching. Shot with a Canon 5D Mark IV and a 70-200mm lens, Lindsay frames the model tightly for a Valentine’s Day portrait that feels personal and striking.

This setup shows that you don’t need a complicated arrangement to make a statement. With strong makeup and precise lighting, simplicity becomes powerful.

Look #2: High-Key Lighting with a Playful Twist

For the second look, Lindsay turns up the creativity. She adds a cotton candy-colored wig and layers the scene with more complex lighting to achieve a fun and whimsical vibe.

• Main Light: She begins with the same white beauty dish, centered on the model.
• Clamshell Glow: A second beauty dish is added below the model to create soft, glowing clamshell lighting.
• Background Illumination: Two strobes with white umbrellas light the background evenly. Lindsay then adds pink gels to match the wig’s cotton candy hue, giving the shot a cohesive, dreamy feel.
• Shadow Fill: Finally, to eliminate shadows and create a bright, even tone, she places two white V-Flats on either side of the model.

For a wider frame that captures more of the playful styling, Lindsay switches to a Canon 24-105mm lens. The final image is high-energy and whimsical, a complete contrast to the first.

A Fresh Take on Valentine's-Themed Photography

Lindsay’s Valentine’s Day photoshoot highlights the incredible versatility of lighting. Whether you lean toward the clean and dramatic simplicity of the first setup or the colorful, high-key energy of the second, both approaches offer unique ways to celebrate the holiday.

Wanna Learn More?

Interested in learning more about Lindsay's lighting techniques? Check out more videos by Lindsay to create dramatic, striking looks that stand out.

Plus, we’ve got over 100 videos on our Behind the Scenes page with tips and tricks for photographers and videographers of all genres.