Butterfly Lighting

Butterfly lighting is created by placing a light above the subject, about 25 to 75 degrees in line with the face of the subject. This type of lighting creates a "butterfly looking" shadow below the subjects nose. A reflector is often used below the subjects face, in order to soften the shadows. Here is an example of the lighting set up, from a birds eye perspective.

Here are a couple examples of some portraits that use Butterfly Lighting.