I popped into the studio with my youngest daughter Megan, as she wanted an image of herself included on my website. Tried a couple of different setups. First setup was an Octabox high up and feathered across her, with a stripbox providing fill light from the other side. Shot on a grey seamless background.
Second setup was a single stripbox very close in on Megan to the right, feathering across her face, and angled so that some light falls onto the background. Just used the modelling bulb of the flash to light the subject.
I prefer the second image for its intimacy and stillness. Shot at f2.8 to throw out of focus the rear shoulder and jacket. A great setup for a classic portrait without any fuss and drama.