My home studio setup continues to evolve as I gain knowledge (and save up money for equipment).
Currently, I use two Alien Bees B800 lights, one with a lightbox on it for the main light and one with
an umbrella for fill light. For back lighting, I just use a cheap $10 silver metal reflector from Home Depot
with a 150 watt Halogen bulb in it (until I can afford a real light). The Alien Bees are great lights and fairly
priced. I did a lot of research before I bought them and I couldn't find anyone that had a bad word to say
about them or the company - in fact, everybody raved about them. You can only buy them online at the
Alien Bees web site: http://www.alienbees.com Probably the thing that has most helped my portraits though
is using an Expodisc digital white balance filter. It very simple to use - it fits on your lens and you aim it at
your main light and shoot one shot. You then use your camera's white balance setting to set your white balance
based on that photo, rather than relying on automatic white balance. It really helps with the skin tones. I also
use a use a Sekonic L-358 Flash Master light meter.