Set up each light separately. When you set up your studio lighting do each light independently. This makes it a lot easier to get the right exposures with test shots, using a light meter at this stage is a great aid!

Keep it tidy. It can get very messy very quickly with cables, backdrops, light stands and tripods so only keep the equipment that you require out as accidents can be expensive! When doing on location studio shoots I use tape to secure the leads down.

Remember to turn off wireless kits. Before you go to the computer to transfer the shots turn off your wireless triggering kits to save batteries! Also turn off your lights to save money and bulbs.

Lightbox size. Only try to take photos which are covered by your light boxes. This will give you the best results with your kit. If you try to light too bigger area you will get poor results.

Have a spare set of bulbs. When I’ve used the lights at events where I’m offering studio shots as a service I’ve always made sure that I’ve had a spare set of bulbs to hand – just in case!

Need more lights? When I bought my two lights I really wanted three but my budget couldn’t stretch that far so I purchased a reflector to bounce off the lights to use as a fill. I use a spare tripod to position the reflector if I don’t have an assistant.

Below is a selection of stock images created with studio lights…

A big thank you to Rocky and Holly for working with me for me lastest studio shoot. Images will be appearing on iStockphoto soon. I’m getting good use out of the umbrella!