When I take photos for our blog, I love using natural light. It’s my preferred lighting and it should be yours, too. We have two large windows in our living room that let in a ton of light. To take advantage of this light, we setup a makeshift studio in the corner of the living room where we style and take photos during the day. However, we can’t always take advantage of the natural light. In an effort to save time and use dinner during the week as style opportunities, we have to wait until after work to get a photo. This is when I use this DIY Light Box.

When I was in college, I went to Home Depot and bought two utility lights. I used them primarily for my class productions when on location. After we launched this blog, I tried using them for a few shoots, but they were too hot. They even started a small fire when I was trying to diffuse the light. The parchment paper would burn and anything that got close to them would start to melt. I was also looking for softer, diffused light. Something that would mimic daylight.

A Compact DIY Light Box

I looked into all types of lighting equipment. Halos, three point lighting setups, LED sticks, Lowel Egos. They either cost way too much money or took up way too much space. When I was in college and couldn’t reserve the “professional” bounces our equipment room offered, I used pretty much anything else; tin foil, poster board, and foam boards. So, I figured I could make a light box from just a few foam boards, parchment paper, and two daylight bulbs.

I wanted to use foam boards so I could easily slide them under our couch; space is precious in New York City. I bought two foam boards, cut them so they would fold to stand freely, and cut a hole in one of them so a light could go through. This DIY light box uses parchment paper to diffuse the light. It’s that easy!

After so many years using these boards, they wore out. I needed to replace them. Every store I went to did not have the 20×30″ boards I used before. However, they had these 18×24″ trifold foam boards. They were already cut and all I needed was to cut a hole. I get two of them so, I can use one for the light source and the other to bounce light.

Whether you’re using natural light or a light box, be sure to white balance. When you’re using a mix of light sources, this will help to make your photos look like they were taken in the same light source. Of course, use light and shadows to set a mood. Our windows give us bright, light photos. While the light box helps create more shadows for a moody atmosphere.

Here are some examples using natural light:

Here are some examples using the light box:

DIY Light Box

Two years ago, I made this light box. After sliding the foam boards under the couch a thousand times, they began to fall apart. So, they needed to be replaced. Here’s how I created them.

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Supplies

• Two 18″x24″ (or larger) trifold foam boards
• Ceiling Pendant Lamp Cord Set
• Twin Light socket adapter
• Two Daylight fluorescent or LED light bulbs
• Exacto knife
• Parchment paper
• Two binder clips

Directions

1. With the trifold facing down, measure the back of one of the foam boards to find the middle. Measure top to bottom and left to right, marking the middle.
2. Unscrew the cap on the base of the lighting cord and place it over the mark you made for the center. I do not cut the hole exactly in the middle of the board. Instead, I shift the opening lower to help the board from falling over. So place the cap slightly lower than the mark and trace a circle on the inside.
3. Using an Exacto Knife, cut out the hole. Remember to unfold the board before doing this so you do not cut through more than you need.
4. Place the base of the lamp cord through the hole so the socket faces into the folding sides and screw on the cap to secure it in the hole.
5. Screw your lights into the twin socket adapter and screw the lights into the adapter.
6. Cut a piece of parchment paper and drape across the opening of the light box (see pictures below). Secure with binder clips.
7. Position the box and plug it in. Use the second board to bounce light.

Now that you’re ready to start taking gorgeous photos, time to setup your blog!