Olivier Ciappa
Portrait and documentary picture-making
Patient light, and the people standing in it
Guides on lighting, editing and gear for photographs of people — written for portrait and documentary shooters, and for anyone who likes looking at a picture closely.
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Latest guides
How to Photograph Toddlers Without Bribes (October 2026)
Learn how to photograph toddlers without bribes in using play, gentle prompts and a calm routine that help little ones relax, cooperate…
How to Photograph Teenagers Who Hate Photos (October 2026)
How to photograph teenagers who hate photos (): set the rules first, drop the poses, use prompts that create movement, and stop…
How to Photograph Kids Who Will Not Sit Still: 8 Tips 2026
How to photograph kids who will not sit still in : real shutter speeds, autofocus modes and activities that pull natural expressions…
How to Photograph People with Braces: Easy Tips (October 2026)
Learn how to photograph people with braces without glare: light angles that kill hotspots, lens and camera settings, expression coaching and honest…
How to Photograph People Wearing Glasses Without Glare (2026)
How to photograph people wearing glasses without glare: where to put the light, which lens and aperture to use, and quick fixes…
How to Photograph a Corporate Headshot Session (2026)
Learn how to photograph a corporate headshot session in : briefing, lighting, posing, expressions, retouching and delivery for a consistent team grid.
How to Light a Headshot for LinkedIn: Simple Guide (2026)
Learn how to light a headshot for LinkedIn with one soft light, a white reflector and a simple angle for . Plus…
How to Make a DIY Reflector from Foam Board (2026)
Learn how to make a DIY reflector from foam board in . Cut it, cover it with matte foil, tape the edges…
How to Make a Home Studio in a Spare Room (2026)
How to make a home studio in a spare room in : practical lighting, backdrop, sound control, safety and workflow steps for…
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Before the shutter opens
Consent, light and honest editing
The sitter is a collaborator
Every guide here assumes the person in the frame knows what the picture is for and can say no to it.
Light you can actually find
Setups are described with windows, one lamp and a bounce card first, so the method survives a room without a studio in it.
Editing that keeps the face
Retouching advice stops where a likeness starts to change, because a smoother picture is not a truer one.
About
What this site is for
This is a reading room for people-focused photography: lighting, editing, gear and project notes, written plainly and starting with portrait and documentary work. It is meant to be useful on a shoot day, which is why the guides stay specific and the pictures stay the point.