The Gel Code

Designing Portraits with Gel Light

Photography with gels is one of the most fun, expressive, and visually striking ways to elevate your portrait work. Whether you're using subtle hues to set a mood or bold colors to create eye-catching visuals, gel lighting opens up a whole new world of creative control.

But here’s the thing—using gels effectively isn’t just about throwing color at a subject. It’s about control, intention, and understanding how color and light work together.

In this class, I’ll walk you through 10 curated lighting setups using gels, each designed to teach you a different technique or approach. From high-impact color splits to soft atmospheric looks, you'll learn exactly how to recreate each one—and how to adapt them for your own unique style.

You’ll get 60+ minutes of in-depth video walkthroughs, where I break down the lighting, modifiers, placement, and camera settings for each setup.

What you’ll learn

  • 10 creative gel lighting setups

  • Step-by-step breakdowns for each look

  • How to use gels for color contrast, mood, and storytelling

  • How to control spill, saturation, and color blending

  • Behind-the-scenes views of every setup, gear lists, and camera settings

  • Tips for modifying each setup to suit your subject or space

Bonus

Bonus

Gel Lighting
Recipe Guide

To help you get the most from the class, you’ll also receive a Gel Lighting Recipe Guide that includes:

  • Diagrams for all 10 lighting setups

  • Modifier and gel details

  • Gear used in each shoot

  • Camera + lighting settings

  • Notes on positioning and subject interaction

  • Quick tips to troubleshoot common gel lighting issues

Pre-Register for the Course - $99.00


✓ 60+ minutes of in-depth video walkthroughs
✓ BONUS: Gel Lighting Recipe Guide

Who is this class for?

Whether you're a beginner just getting into creative lighting or a working photographer looking to add something bold and new to your portfolio, this class will give you the technical foundation and creative inspiration to make gel lighting part of your toolkit.

You don’t need a studio full of gear. Most of the setups use basic modifiers and gels that you may already own—or can easily get your hands on.

This class is all about achievable setups with professional results.