Whether used in fashion shoots, beauty portraits, or professional headshots, many photographers use butterfly lighting to create soft, flattering shadows under the nose and highlight facial features beautifully. This technique is common in fashion shoots, beauty portraits, and professional headshots, giving subjects a smooth and elegant look. A good photo editor can enhance the effect further by adjusting highlights and shadows for a perfect balance. This article explains all that you need to know about butterfly lighting in photography.
What is butterfly lighting in photography
Butterfly lighting is a portrait lighting technique where the main light is placed above and directly in front of the subject, creating a small shadow under the nose that resembles a butterfly. It highlights cheekbones, smooth skin, and adds a glamorous, symmetrical look. This style is often used in beauty, fashion, and headshot photography.
How to capture butterfly light in photography
Many photographers want to create a classic and flattering look in portraits. Butterfly light is ideal for this because it highlights the face evenly and adds a soft shadow under the nose. Here is how you can achieve butterfly lighting in portrait photography:
- 1
- Understand the butterfly pattern
The butterfly light in photography gets its name from the small shadow that forms under the nose, resembling a butterfly. Before shooting, observe how the light falls on the face and how shadows appear under the cheekbones and nose for the best results and flattering portraits every time.
Recommended angle & shadow reference：
- Nose shadow: centered, 1–2 cm long
- Cheek shadows: soft, symmetrical
- Light angle: 25°–35° downward tilt toward the face
- 2
- Choose the right key light position
The key light should be placed slightly above the subject's eye level and directly in front. Using a blue butterfly light or any soft light source can enhance the highlights and create a professional look. Correct positioning ensures the signature nose shadow appears clearly without harsh shadows in other areas.
Key light positioning parameters：
- Height: 30–60 cm above the subject’s head
- Distance from subject: 70–120 cm
- Angle: straight-on, centered on the face
- Softbox size: 60–90 cm recommended
- Light power: 20–30% (or ~1/8–1/4) on most strobes
- LED brightness: 30–60%
- 3
- Set the ideal distance and height
Distance and height of light affect shadow softness and intensity. Moving the light closer softens shadows, while raising it emphasises the cheekbones. In butterfly lighting, adjusting height and distance ensures balanced illumination across the face and prevents overexposure.
Practical lighting setup：
- Distance for soft shadows: 0.7–1 m
- Distance for sharper shadows: 1.2–1.5 m
- Height adjustment rule:
- For softer cheekbones → lower the light
- For stronger cheekbones → raise by 10–20 cm
- For softer cheekbones → lower the light
- For stronger cheekbones → raise by 10–20 cm
- 4
- Use reflectors for soft shadows
Reflectors are great for bouncing light into shadowed areas to reduce harsh lines and provide a more natural glow. By reflecting off the lips rather than below the face, a shadow can be cast under the nose to produce true butterfly light. For many portraits that require soft professional lighting, this step is crucial.
Reflector parameters：
- Reflector position: just below the chin, angled 30–45° upward
- Distance from chin: 15–25 cm
- Recommended type: white for soft fill, silver for brighter fill
- Adjust until shadows under the eyes and chin are balanced, but a small nose shadow remains
- 5
- Adjust camera settings for clean results
With the right camera settings, the image is clear and evenly lit. Use a medium ISO, a suitable aperture, and a proper shutter speed to capture the soft butterfly lighting. The settings make the skin look natural and show the light effect clearly in every portrait.
Indoor studio with continuous light（LED / softbox）：
- ISO: 200–400
- Aperture: f/2.8–f/4 (soft, flattering background blur)
- Shutter speed: 1/125–1/160 sec
- White balance: 4500–5200K, depending on light
- Focal length: 50mm / 85mm preferred for portraits
Studio flash strobes：
- ISO: 100–200
- Aperture: f/5.6–f/8 for crisp detail
- Shutter: 1/160–1/200 sec (sync speed)
- Flash power: 1/16–1/8
5 amazing butterfly lighting photography examples
Photographers often look for inspiration to master butterfly lighting in portraits. Seeing different styles and setups can help understand how light placement, reflectors, and backgrounds change the mood. Below are 5 amazing examples that showcase the versatility of butterfly lighting:
- Classic beauty portrait glow
This style uses soft butterfly lights placed directly above and in front of the subject to highlight cheekbones and smooth skin. The subtle shadow under the nose adds elegance without harsh contrasts. It's perfect for traditional beauty portraits where a natural, glowing look is desired.
- High-key fashion butterfly light
In high-key fashion shots, bright butterfly lighting fills the frame with light, minimizing shadows while keeping the signature nose shadow. This setup works well for magazine covers and fashion editorials. It creates a clean, vibrant look that emphasizes facial features and wardrobe details.
- Soft glamour look with reflector
Including a reflector under the face will improve the butterfly lighting photography setup by filling in shadows under the nose and chin. This method offers a soft, glowing look which is perfect for headshots or bridal portraits. The key light and reflector combination result in a professional, finished appearance.
- Dramatic shadow control setup
Some photographers use controlled butterfly lights with modifiers to create deeper shadows while keeping the nose shadow intact. This method adds drama and depth to the portrait, highlighting contours and textures. It's ideal for artistic portraits or moody fashion photography.
- Outdoor butterfly lighting trick
Using natural light or a portable butterfly lighting photography setup outdoors can produce stunning results. Positioning the sun or a soft LED light above the subject's face mimics indoor butterfly lighting. Combining it with reflectors balances shadows, giving portraits a natural yet professional look.
Tips for setting up butterfly lighting in photography
Setting up butterfly lighting in portrait photography can make any portrait look professional and elegant. The key is to position lights carefully, control shadows, and fine-tune camera settings. Here's how you can set up this amazing lighting in photography:
- Position the key light above the center
Place the main light slightly above the subject's eye level and directly in front. Using a butterfly light or softbox helps create the soft, flattering glow typical of lighting in photography. This central position ensures the signature nose shadow appears perfectly.
- Set the right height and angle
Adjust the light's height and angle to control shadow length and intensity. Raising the light emphasizes cheekbones, while lowering it softens shadows. Fine-tuning the position is essential for balanced illumination in butterfly lighting in portrait photography.
- Add a reflector for soft fill
Place a reflector below the face to bounce light into shadowed areas. This softens the shadow under the nose and chin, enhancing the smooth, natural look of the portrait. Reflectors are key in butterfly light in photography for a professional finish.
- Control shadows under the nose
The small nose shadow defines butterfly lighting in photography perfectly. Adjust the light and reflector until the shadow is subtle but visible. Proper shadow control keeps the portrait elegant, soft, and without harsh or distracting lines, enhancing the subject's natural beauty.
- Adjust exposure for clean results
Use a low or high ISO on your camera, the right aperture, and proper shutter speed. This keeps skin tones natural and avoids harsh light from the blue butterfly light. Correct exposure makes capturing flattering butterfly-lit portraits easy and clear.
An efficient way to create butterfly lighting to photography: CapCut
The CapCut desktop video editor helps photographers create professional lighting effects with ease and flexibility. It allows precise control over light direction, intensity, and softness, making portrait editing more polished and visually appealing. Users can enhance facial highlights and shadows to achieve a studio-quality look quickly, saving time and effort.
Key features
The CapCut desktop video editor provides a range of tools that help photographers create polished and professional-looking portraits with minimal effort. Here are some of its standout features:
- Generate images with butterfly lighting
The AI design tool can apply realistic studio-style lighting effects directly, giving portraits a soft, flattering glow. This is ideal for creating professional-looking images without physical lights.
- Quickly blur or remove backgrounds
Backgrounds can be removed or softened in seconds with an image background remover, helping subjects stand out clearly. Perfect for portraits or product shots needing a clean, distraction-free look.
- Enhance image colors with AI
CapCut's AI image upscaler adjusts tones and saturation to make skin and details pop naturally. This ensures portraits look vibrant without manual color correction.
- Apply creative filters to photos
Filters allow instant mood changes, from warm glamour to dramatic effects. This is useful for stylized portraits or social media-ready images.
- Adjust lighting effects easily
Light intensity, direction, and shadows can be fine-tuned to mimic professional setups. It helps achieve the ideal balance in every portrait quickly.
- Resize or upscale images effortlessly
Photos can be resized or upscaled without losing quality, making them suitable for prints or online sharing. This keeps portraits sharp and detailed.
- Add custom text to images
Text can be overlaid with flexible fonts and styles, useful for captions, branding, or social media posts. It allows combining visuals and messaging seamlessly.
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Generate images with butterfly lightning with CapCut's AI design
Users can generate images with butterfly lighting using CapCut's AI design feature. Once the image is ready, click the download button below to save it instantly. The process is quick, and the image is ready for immediate use.
- STEP 1
- Access the AI design agent
- Run the CapCut desktop video editor on your PC. Pick "AI design" to begin working with text-based image creation.
- STEP 2
- Generate an image with butterfly lighting
- Write a text prompt that highlights the lighting style you want, then hit "Send".
- A new window will appear where the AI begins processing your input.
- The AI will produce a detailed, high-quality image.
- Example prompt: A close-up portrait of a woman with smooth skin, styled hair, and soft glam makeup, captured with classic butterfly lighting. A bright key light is placed directly above the camera, creating a small butterfly-shaped shadow under the nose. High-contrast studio background, crisp details, cinematic tones, and natural skin texture
- Tap the image in the workspace to open the toolbar.
- Tap "AI tools" to upscale, expand, or inpaint the image for enhancement.
- Go to the "Frames" tab to add a frame and make the image stand out.
- Apply filters to give the image a stronger visual impact.
- STEP 3
- Download the image
- Press "Download" in the top right once the image is completed and polished.
- Pick the resolution and format, then press "Download" again to save it to your device.
- Copy the PNG version or share the image on social media like Facebook and Instagram.
Mastering butterfly lighting can transform ordinary portraits into professional, studio-quality images. Understanding the light pattern, positioning key lights, and using reflectors ensures flattering shadows and highlights. Tools like CapCut make it easier to enhance lighting digitally, giving photographers precise control over intensity, direction, and softness.
FAQs
- 1
- What is the key principle behind butterfly lighting?
The key principle of butterfly lighting is to place the main light above and in front of the subject, creating a small, flattering shadow under the nose. It emphasizes cheekbones and smooth skin and adds a glamorous look. This lighting works best for portraits, beauty shots, and fashion photography. You can refine and enhance this effect digitally using the CapCut desktop video editor.
- 2
- How do you position the main light for butterfly lighting?
Position the main light slightly above the subject's eye level and directly in front to form the signature nose shadow. The height and angle determine shadow softness and highlight intensity on the face. Reflectors can be added below to soften shadows further. CapCut makes it easy to simulate and adjust these lighting effects in your images.
- 3
- What camera settings work best for butterfly lighting portraits?
Use a moderate ISO to reduce noise, a wide aperture for soft background blur, and a shutter speed that captures clear, sharp details. Proper exposure ensures skin tones and highlights look natural and balanced. Adjusting light intensity and direction is also key to precise results. The CapCut desktop video editor helps fine-tune lighting digitally for perfect portrait outcomes.
If you enjoyed this guide, you might want to check out these articles for more photography and editing tips in the CapCut desktop video editor: