One of the most basic, most effective, and honestly one of the most useful tools you can buy for portrait photography is the humble reflector. You can seriously elevate your photos just by redirecting or diffusing the light already available to you and the best thing about them? They’re cheap to buy, perfect for anyone just starting out.
The best reflectors for photography come in a variety of different shapes and sizes but your best bet is investing in a 5-in-1 which includes a gold, silver, white, and black surface plus a diffuser for softening light. I’d always try and opt for one with a handle so you can easily hold it and shoot one-handed. That means if you're shooting without a friend or assistant to help you, it's still possible to manage.
