I ask myself, what is the aesthetic and general feel I’d like to achieve with my image? Do I want the image to be dark and moody? Or do I want the image to by light and airy? By examining my subject matter and intended creative goals, I can figure out the general mood I want to achieve.

I figure out how to achieve this lighting effect. What light modifiers do I need? If the image should have soft and airy light, perhaps I want to use a softbox and reflector boards. If it is dark and dramatic, perhaps a silver dish or beauty dish would be most appropriate. Dark and dramatic means more angular lighting and harsher shadows. Light and airy, on the other hand, means reduced shadows and more even or glowing lighting. How can I achieve the effect I want?

I determine how many lights I need to achieve this look. Do I need just one light on the subject, or do I want a hair light and background light, too?