Layered Lighting with Jonny Edward: Create Portrait Depth with Light & Shadow

Layered Lighting with Jonny Edward: Create Portrait Depth with Light & Shadow



See Jonny Edward live at Imaging USA 2026!

Want to take your portrait photography to the next level? In this video, Jonny Edward (@thejonnycreative) shares his expert approach to layered lighting, revealing how he uses light and shadow to create portraits rich with depth, mood, and emotion.

Watch as Jonny breaks down his multi-light setups and creative techniques that add dimension and storytelling to every frame. Whether you’re shooting in-studio or working with natural light, this tutorial will help you craft more compelling, professional-looking portraits.

๐ŸŽฅ Perfect for photographers ready to elevate their lighting game.

#layeredlighting #portraitphotography #photographylighting #lightandshadow #creativelighting #photographytips

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Comments

48 responses to “Layered Lighting with Jonny Edward: Create Portrait Depth with Light & Shadow”

  1. @briantulowiecki6455 Avatar
    @briantulowiecki6455

    Johnny,
    know you don't want to hear it; however you hyperextended her support arm…for what its worth

  2. @sharonfox7322 Avatar
    @sharonfox7322

    Incredible studio!!! Great video Johnny Creative!

  3. @daveh.354 Avatar
    @daveh.354

    I wish I had a tenth of Jonny's energy.

  4. @drewjams Avatar
    @drewjams

    What a lovley video and yip Johnny rocks ..a true pro ..witty ..glamorous and full of photography love ..Excellent loved it thanks for the tips Johnny ..awesome.

  5. @eddieteabagify Avatar
    @eddieteabagify

    Cant find model's social tags. Are they posted?

  6. @mikelister4590 Avatar
    @mikelister4590

    Can we say ADHD Hyperfocus ? Yes I have it to. Lose total sense of time. Great video and Model ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

  7. @Cabeza0001 Avatar
    @Cabeza0001

    Great Video Jonny. Would you mind sharing the brand of those clamps holding the backdrops?

  8. @isaacpadron8541 Avatar
    @isaacpadron8541

    thank you, it was long, but went by so fast. no such thing as too many lights,,,, better to have one there and not use it than to wish you had one more for the shot

  9. @visibleinvisibility8557 Avatar
    @visibleinvisibility8557

    I am obsessed with your hat! Where did you get it?!

  10. @markdodsworth5439 Avatar
    @markdodsworth5439

    Excellent video thank you ๐Ÿ™

  11. @luissalazar2021 Avatar
    @luissalazar2021

    I love your studio, thanks for sharing

  12. @jerrym8140 Avatar
    @jerrym8140

    Absolutely fantastic! Love this and Jonny and his model were amazing!

  13. @chippieco.1898 Avatar
    @chippieco.1898

    WHAT a video! Just discovered you, (just starting my lighting journey), & youโ€™ve reeled me in & got me hooked. Fantastic personality, wonderful way of explaining things – true perfection all round. Thank you!

  14. @stephancodes Avatar
    @stephancodes

    Was not sure weather to attend your workshop here in MX in August, you definetly convinced me to go!

  15. @Matthaeus84 Avatar
    @Matthaeus84

    I discovered this video today, what a great find, what a wonderful, honest and inspirational video, thank you very much, sir! Best regards from Cologne

  16. @PortraitMasterclass Avatar
    @PortraitMasterclass

    Great video my friend! I'm always inspired by your work and great teaching style.

  17. @JasonAnderson-x8b Avatar
    @JasonAnderson-x8b

    Love the personality in this video! Great tips!

  18. @sergevancauwenbergh2505 Avatar
    @sergevancauwenbergh2505

    Hello Jonny,ย 
    What a great video packed with useful tips. Thanks!
    I've been a big fan of your work for years (and David Shoukry's), and follow you on various social media.
    I am a hobby photographer and only have two smaller painted backdrops, but your setups with multiple layered backdrops are super. I would love to take a workshop at your studio one day. It will be immensely rewarding to be able to shoot in these amazing settings and learn from you at the same time.
    I truly hope we meet someday.
    Take care!

  19. @algorytmiczny Avatar
    @algorytmiczny

    Great content but how you edit if you shoot side ways where there is no background? I have always question mark if a person is outside of background area.

  20. @Colab-Film Avatar
    @Colab-Film

    Just the framing of the first shot- love it!

  21. @bj0ernaa Avatar
    @bj0ernaa

    Damn, Jonny. You never fail to give some solid tips!

  22. @dannydouglasphotography7097 Avatar
    @dannydouglasphotography7097

    This was so much fun to watch. Thanks for the inspiration

  23. @anzekajzer1252 Avatar
    @anzekajzer1252

    haha so good

  24. @andrewfrost8866 Avatar
    @andrewfrost8866

    I like this guy! The video is full of spot-on information, excellent job!

  25. @Pokitchange86 Avatar
    @Pokitchange86

    I'm only 18 months into photography and all youtube for education. This is by far the most informative and easily followed education I've gotten on lighting so far. Thank you!

  26. @Raffy_Taffy_USA Avatar
    @Raffy_Taffy_USA

    Woah Jonny. Great work and personality. Was wondering why I've never seen you before then I saw you have a new channel with only 34 subscribers. I shall be #35. ๐Ÿ“ธ๐Ÿ‘

  27. @MarquesRomeu Avatar
    @MarquesRomeu

    @ourppa if we use natural sunlight from a window as key light what would be the best Kelvin for a fill light?

  28. @samchevalier1.1 Avatar
    @samchevalier1.1

    Amazing!

  29. @danielrinaldi3737 Avatar
    @danielrinaldi3737

    can you make this type of photo with the same 5 lights? or just can make it with continuous light?

  30. @danielrinaldi3737 Avatar
    @danielrinaldi3737

    thanks Jonny for be inspiration…. i think youre the best photo artist…. always tell you in Ig but… really really thank you!

  31. @Dennis-Dunbar Avatar
    @Dennis-Dunbar

    Great view into your workflow!

  32. @2comicsonabench Avatar
    @2comicsonabench

    Is there a list of your gear in this room I could see?

  33. @rodmur Avatar
    @rodmur

    What do you think of tethering your camera and having a monitor for your model to see what is happening? Is that too distracting?

  34. @f0t0b0y Avatar
    @f0t0b0y

    Amazing stuff. My only criticism is kinda how I like my steak. Reverse sear, salt and pepper. This has, 1990 grill marks, garlic butter, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Yeah I guess I canโ€™t criticize it. โค๏ธ๐Ÿค“

  35. @tylou4479 Avatar
    @tylou4479

    Probably one of the best photography videos ever. The way Jonny paints with light is pure mastery.

  36. @fuseboxOpera Avatar
    @fuseboxOpera

    Awesome. Always love seeing Jonnys work!

  37. @dance2jam Avatar
    @dance2jam

    OMG. Jonny, I'm a relatively new photographer who is just beginning my experimentation with adding light (i.e. strobes). This is simply the most well organized discussion and examples I've seen to date and incredible helpful in providing a framework to experiment. Thank you, my friend. Awesome stuff. II have one request for a future video. While I can extrapolate some of what you are doing, I do not have the funds, nor the space to buildout your obsession (and I can see why). So fresnel lighting, etc and 5 lights are not in my budget just yet. Can you do a similar video for photographers starting out with a lower budget? Love the wedge wall as well. Awesome presentation and very worthwhile watch! I will send it to others and tell them highly recommended.

  38. @zfrancisdumas Avatar
    @zfrancisdumas

    Thanks for this amazing workshop and thanks for the little chat you had with the model, too often I feel bad for the model while watching this kind of content.

  39. @BreanneCook Avatar
    @BreanneCook

    Love you Jonny….Great video….as always

  40. @STILLWILLPHOTO Avatar
    @STILLWILLPHOTO

    Yea, where's the sub botton for his channel?

  41. @bersuitsalazarj Avatar
    @bersuitsalazarj

    Love this! Can you share more info on the back drops?

  42. @jean-hughesdolce282 Avatar
    @jean-hughesdolce282

    Wonderful, Wonderful!!!!

  43. @TiffinboxTV Avatar
    @TiffinboxTV

    So well-explained. I learned a ton from this video, Jonny. Looking forward to watching more of your videos!

  44. @will_e_j Avatar
    @will_e_j

    Wow I love the energy and excitement here!

  45. @viellieb Avatar
    @viellieb

    Thanks a lot for that wonderful look behind the scenes. It's rare, that someone can communicate his approach to lighting so that you can understand their approach. Thanks a lot for that.
    Even though following closely was hard for me, since english isn't my mother tongue, your joy with the shooting was very infectious. And to be able to transmit that is absolutely unique @thejonnycreative ๐Ÿ‘

  46. @TheOneWillFocus Avatar
    @TheOneWillFocus

    Love Jonny's work. Amazing amazing to finally hear you speak. Ads a great personality to the beautiful work we all get to see. Awesome as always bro!

  47. @theJoeyDutch Avatar
    @theJoeyDutch

    why the lens choice of 35mm and not a portrait lens (85, 105, etc)? Struggling to understand how the beautifully layered backdrops and lights were not captured with these portrait lenses i mentioned earlier…

  48. @iqqivriqbal Avatar
    @iqqivriqbal

    absolutely delightful… learned a lot from this tutorial… tq Jonny! TQ Polina!