As a personal brand photographer, mastering light is essential for delivering high-quality, on-brand images that align with your clients’ aesthetic. Whether you’re shooting indoors or outdoors, there will be times when natural light simply isn’t an option—especially when you’re working in environments with limited daylight.

One of my go-to tools for creating soft, natural-looking light is the Godox 70-inch white reflective umbrella. If you’ve ever struggled with harsh shadows or that deer-in-the-headlights look when using artificial light, this umbrella can be a game-changer. Let’s break down how to mimic natural light with this one photography tool:

Why the Godox 70-Inch Umbrella Mimics Natural Light

The key to mimicking natural light is understanding how light behaves. The softer and more diffused the light, the more natural it looks. This is why overcast days or indirect window light often create the most flattering lighting for portraits—they scatter light evenly over your subject, minimizing harsh shadows and delivering soft, even illumination.

The Godox 70-inch white reflective umbrella excels at creating this kind of light for a few reasons:

1. Size: At 70 inches, this umbrella is huge. The larger your light modifier, the softer the light it produces, because it spreads the light over a broader area. This creates the effect of a natural, window-like glow.
2. Reflective Surface: The white reflective material inside the umbrella bounces the light and diffuses it evenly. This is similar to how sunlight is scattered when it passes through clouds or reflects off light-coloured walls.
3. Wide Light Spread: Because the umbrella is so large, it covers more area and wraps light around your subject, reducing harsh shadows and giving the scene a more natural feel. This is crucial when you want to mimic sunlight or a soft, diffused light source like an overcast sky.

Using the Godox umbrella as your main light source will give you control over lighting even in situations where natural light is unavailable, making it an essential tool for brand photographers.

How to Use the Godox Umbrella with Your Strobe or Speedlite

This umbrella can be used with either a strobe or speedlite as the primary light source. Here’s how you can set it up for your personal brand shoots:

1. Attach the Umbrella to Your Light Stand: First, mount your strobe or speedlite onto a light stand, ensuring that your umbrella holder is in place. Insert the shaft of the Godox 70-inch umbrella into the holder and secure it.
2. Position Your Light Source: The key to mimicking natural light lies in the position of your light source. Once the umbrella is attached, you’ll need to position it strategically depending on the effect you want to create.
3. Trigger Your Flash: To trigger your strobe or speedlite, use a wireless trigger attached to your camera’s hot shoe. This allows you to control the flash from your camera without being tethered to the light, giving you freedom to move and adjust during the shoot.

If you’re working with a speedlite, keep in mind that it will need to output enough light to fill the umbrella and cover your subject. Make sure to test the settings on your flash to ensure you’re getting the right amount of power.

Positioning the Godox Umbrella for Natural Light Effects

Now that you’ve set up the umbrella with your strobe or speedlite, let’s talk about positioning. Depending on the mood or effect you want to create, there are two main ways you can position the Godox umbrella to mimic natural light.

1. Position It Directly in Front of Your Subject for Soft, Even Light

For an effect that mimics the soft light you’d get from a cloudy day or an evenly lit window, position the umbrella directly in front of your subject. This setup will create flattering, even illumination across your client’s face and body, minimizing shadows.

• When to Use This Setup: This setup works perfectly when you’re aiming for a bright, airy look that’s flattering on the skin and great for clean, professional branding shots.
• Example Situation: You’re shooting a business coach who wants clean headshots that emphasize their approachable yet professional demeanour. This setup will give them the soft, polished look they’re after.

2. Position It Off to the Side for a Window Light Effect

If you want to mimic the effect of sunlight coming through a window, position the umbrella to the side of your subject. By placing the light source at a 45-degree angle, you’ll create a more directional light that still feels soft and natural, but adds more depth and dimension.

• When to Use This Setup: This is perfect when you’re going for a lifestyle or in-action shot, where you want the light to feel like it’s coming from a window or other natural source.
• Example Situation: You’re photographing a fitness trainer in a studio and you want to capture them in action, demonstrating exercises. By positioning the umbrella off to the side, you simulate the look of natural sunlight streaming into the room.

Wrapping Up: Take Your Lighting Skills Further

The Godox 70-inch white reflective umbrella is a powerful tool for brand photographers who want to create natural-looking light without relying on daylight.

Its large size and reflective surface mimic soft, diffused light, making it perfect for any personal brand shoot.

Whether you’re shooting in a studio or in a small space with limited natural light, this tool gives you the flexibility to create beautiful images consistently.