My Lighting Setup

Written By Tabitha Park

I’ll preface this guide with a couple quick points:

  • I enjoy using natural light for its nuance and whimsy whenever I can.

  • When natural light isn’t an option, I prefer continuous lights over flashes and strobes because it’s easier for me to see what I’m working with as I go. I also do a lot of video, so continuous makes a ton of sense for me as a creator.

  • I typically use just one light at a time, but I do own two setups for flexibility in travel.

Main Setup ($740)

Aputure Light Storm 120d Mk2 - Discontinued (Was $550)
Aputure Amaran 200x S - $349
I’ve never used the 200x S, but if I was buying today, this is the one I’d get

Light Dome 2 - Discontinued $220
Light Dome 3 - $220
I’ve never used the Light Dome 3, but it only seems better and nicer than the 2, if I was buying today that’s the one I’d go with.

C Stand - $170

When I bought this setup, the Amaran line (mentioned below) wasn’t released yet, so I went with the Light Storm. I haven’t regretted it at all, but there are now more budget friendly options available. Since they discontinued the 120d Mk2 in 2022, the next closest high end options are the LS 300x and LS C300d. They are both more powerful than my 120D, and almost double the price. I would recommend the Amaran line mentioned below.



More Affordable, Similar Option ($331+)

Aputure Amaran 100d S* - $199

Light Dome SE - $99 

C Stand (without boom arm) - $109 (more if you want the one with the arm)

OR Light Stand - $33


What does this setup miss out on? 

  • The Amaran build quality is not as rugged as the Light Storm line (the housing is plastic rather than metal)

  • The Light Dome SE is not as fast/easy to set up and take down and is slightly smaller

  • This C stand doesn’t have a boom arm, which you may want eventually for flat lays, etc.

This setup has some advantages:

  • Cheaper

  • Lighter


Note: I personally own both the Amaran 100x as well as the Light Dome SE. It’s probably worth the extra $100 to upgrade to the brighter Amaran 200x S unless you’re on a tight budget. When I’m traveling I’ve found the 100x is great as long as you have a case to put it in. I use this backpack when I am flying and it has room for both of my cameras as well as the 100x. I always bring the full size Light Dome because it has a nicer carrying case and sets up and collapses much easier than the Light Dome SE. The only time I’ve collapsed my SE was when I moved. If you don’t mind leaving it set up, I would save the money and get the SE. 


* I have the Amaran 100x, which is now discontinued. The Amaran 100x S is the new version of the same light.

The Amaran line currently has a 100d S, 100x S, 200d S, and 200x S. The number denotes the watts (100 vs 200). The “d” or “daylight” models are 5500k only, the “x” or “bi-color” models can control color temperature giving you a range of cool and warm temperature adjustments. The 200d should be brighter than my 120d and a couple hundred dollars less than I paid.

Entry Level Options ($100-200)

There are a lot of options in the entry level area that can probably produce pretty good light, but the biggest thing that usually suffers is build quality. 

I haven’t personally tried their products, but Neewer has a lot of lighting products on Amazon at the entry level price point. Their reviews are typically pretty good, but the negative ones usually are related to build quality. If I needed a light setup and couldn’t spring for the $331 setup, I’d probably give one of their setups a try.

Tabitha Park