Also, I use just the one light source (with two lights together), hoping to get some nice shadows to paint. I have the small room that I use as a studio, painted white. It even has white vinyl on the floor, so there is lots of bounced light. I never use a flash. I have made curtains in a neutral color and tone, for the background. I definitely agree with another thread, that I found somewhere here, that taking a successful photo with proper lighting and colors and composition takes you a long way towards a successful painting.

I am presently looking for a "portrait chair" for my studio and searching for printed (not too busy or difficult to paint) fabrics that I can use for color. I even have some "one size fits all" frocks that I can put on little girls.