What gear and tools does Paul Rogers recommend for achieving professional lighting on a budget?

Hi, I’m Paul Rogers from thatcreativeceo. Love this question.

You don’t need wild gear to look pro on camera — you need controlled light, not a fancy camera. I’m a big fan of a simple 3‑light setup you can build on a budget:

• Key light: a soft LED panel or budget softbox as your main light, angled slightly to one side
• Fill/edge light: a smaller LED or clamp light to soften shadows or create a rim on your cheek/shoulder
• Background/practical light: a lamp, RGB tube, or cheap LED to light the wall or add a little glow behind you

Start with one decent soft key light, then add the others as your budget grows — the difference in your reels will be massive before you ever upgrade your camera.

What’s your current setup right now (phone only, ring light, something else)?