Inside the booth
Use a white card to soften one-sided portrait shadows
Bounce window light into the shadow side with a simple movable reflector.
A white card can return some window light to the darker side of a face. It will not replace a flash or erase every shadow; the useful result is a gentle lift that still preserves the portrait’s shape.
Set the key light
Turn the subject toward a large window at a slight angle. Take one frame without a reflector and note which cheek is brighter. Keep the camera position fixed while testing so the comparison is meaningful.
Place the card
Hold a white foam board or clean card on the shadow side, just outside the crop. Move it closer for stronger fill and farther away for a subtler effect. Ask a helper to watch the eyes and keep the card from blocking the window.
Compare the strip
Take another frame and compare both cheeks and the eye sockets. If the face looks flat, move the card farther away or angle it toward the floor. If there is still no visible lift, use a larger card or move it closer; avoid adding coloured shiny materials that introduce a cast.