I have a combination of:

• (borrowed) softbox lighting kit by Torjim: the portable and lightweight one, for when I need to move around depending on what I’m taking a photo of (my uncle is the real photographer, I’m just a hobbyist).

• all my lighting is from Ikea: the backlight is a reading lamp (i think), same with the other two lamps (swivel). I chose them because of the base (tripod, adjustable) and weight.

-my old foam core is from Staples and when JoAnn was closing their stores, I bought more foam core there

• umbrella is from goodwill

• the white paper from my light box came from Ikea (kids’ drawing paper roll)

• translucent plastic sheet, plexiglass from hardware store

• all of my equipment is DIY that I learned from school or my uncle.

• we also used a lot of clamps, clamp lights and binder clips, foil sheets from craft store (only if it’s on sale) and my uncle cut up a car sunshade once for his soft box

• cardboard from grocery store and liquor stores (free)

• my uncle has used a combo of white bowls, milk glass, cookie sheets as a reflector piece; my mom’s silicone funnel as a flash diffuser (she’s still mad at him) which is better than paper

• if you can get your hands on vellum, they’re quite useful, too

We try to be frugal so we can spend the money on lenses.