When it comes to lighting in photography, most of us instinctively reach for soft, flattering light. We diffuse our flashes, shoot through umbrellas, and seek out cloudy days. But what if I told you that some of the most striking portraitYou know the moment: your subject is ready, you’ve got about five feet of space to work with, and the window light you were counting on is almost gone. You fumble with your flash, reposition a softbox, and wonder — why does this still feel so hard?s actually come from embracing hard light?

Felix Kunze knows that moment too well, and he’s on a mission to make sure it never ruins your shoot again.

The acclaimed portrait photographer and lighting educator is back with Lighting for Everyone, his first studio lighting class since 2017’s legendary Lighting Series. But don’t call it a sequel. This is something else entirely.

“The world has changed. Shoots move faster. Spaces are tighter. We don’t always get an hour and a softbox,” says Felix. “So I built the class I wish I had at the beginning, something that helps you create world-class light with less gear, less stress, and way more confidence.”

The Myth of Complexity

Over the last decade, Felix has lit everyone from astronauts to Vogue covers. But what sets him apart isn’t just who he photographs, it’s how he teaches lighting.

In Lighting for Everyone, Felix strips away jargon and dives into real-world setups with everyday gear. We’re talking bounce boards made from insulation foam, living rooms instead of studios, and unscripted moments that mirror what wedding and portrait photographers face every day.

“Lighting is about direction, shape, and feel,” Felix explains. “You don’t need five lights to create drama. You just need to know what to do with one.”

Lessons From the Field

Each segment in the course was filmed on-location, no massive studios, no movie crews, just Felix, a light, and a real photographer’s challenges. He demonstrates how to:

• Use feathered bounce light to wrap your subject in softness
  
• Create cinematic backlight with a single constant light (and no modifier)
  
• Adapt lighting techniques for groups, tight spaces, and imperfect conditions
  
• Troubleshoot problems on the fly, from spill to hotspots to mixed light
  

And perhaps most powerfully, he lets you see it all go wrong on purpose.

“I mess things up on camera. That’s the point. You get to watch how I fix it. Because that’s what we do on real shoots.”

Why This Course Matters Now

With AI retouching, tighter budgets, and the rise of content-style imagery, the pressure to deliver natural-looking, emotive images fast is higher than ever. Many photographers feel like lighting is either “too hard” or “not their thing.”

Felix wants to flip that narrative.

“Lighting is your thing. If you want creative freedom, you have to understand it. But that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated.”

For newer photographers, Lighting for Everyone offers an approachable entry point. For veterans, it’s a breath of fresh air, a reminder that simpler can be better. Several early testers even reported that a single technique (the “wrap-around light setup”) alone justified the price of the course.

A Class Built for Photographers, Not Just Gear Lovers

Unlike most tutorials, this course isn’t just about the tools, it’s about the decisions. Felix speaks in human terms, often referencing feelings, intention, and client experience alongside exposure and falloff. It’s clear he’s not just teaching technique. He’s sharing how to see.

And in a world where photographers are increasingly asked to shoot faster, more intuitively, and in unpredictable environments, that shift in mindset is everything.

Final Take

Lighting for Everyone is more than a lighting class. It’s a confidence builder. Whether you shoot weddings, portraits, editorial or headshots, this is a masterclass in seeing light differently, taught by someone who gets what it’s like to be in the trenches.

As Felix says, “You don’t need to wait until you have the perfect space or gear. You just need to understand what the light is doing and how to shape it.”

Explore Roberto’s work at FelixKunze.com and @felixkunze