High-quality lighting doesn’t have to break the bank. Use household items like white sheets or shower curtains as makeshift diffusers. Clamp lights with daylight-balanced bulbs are affordable and versatile. Reflectors can be DIYed with foam boards wrapped in aluminum foil. Natural light is free — position subjects near large windows, and use sheer curtains to diffuse harsh sunlight. With a little creativity, you can achieve a polished look on a tight budget.

Thrift stores and hardware shops can be treasure troves for low-cost lighting solutions. Desk lamps with adjustable heads can double as key lights, while string lights or battery-powered LEDs add subtle background accents. Use colored gels (or cellophane!) to adjust color temperature on the fly. Test out different bulb types — LEDs are energy-efficient and produce less heat, making them ideal for long shoots.

Planning your shoot around available light can also save money. For example, shooting outdoors during golden hour provides naturally flattering light, while filming in a well-lit office space can reduce the number of artificial lights you need. The key is to understand how to control and shape whatever light you have access to, proving that a limited budget doesn’t have to limit your production quality.

You can also create DIY light stands with PVC pipes or repurpose camera tripods to hold lights. Use white poster boards as reflectors to bounce light back onto the subject, or grab a car windshield sunshade for an ultra-reflective surface. The trick is to think outside the box — with a bit of ingenuity, even the simplest materials can transform your lighting setup, giving your small business videos a polished, professional feel without the hefty price tag.