An image pickup apparatus capable of focusing correctly and of setting a bounce angle accurately. A lighting device that changes an irradiation angle is attached to an apparatus body. A first control unit drives the lighting device to perform pre-emission when the irradiation angle is controlled for bounce emission photographing where an object is photographed while being illuminated by a reflected light emitted from the lighting device and reflected by reflection material. A first distance measuring unit measures a first distance to the object and a second distance to the reflection material using the pre-emission. A second control unit sets up the irradiation angle based on the first and second distances and controls the lighting device to the set irradiation angle. A second distance measuring unit measures a third distance to the object during focus control. A prohibition unit prohibits the pre-emission when the second distance measuring unit measures the third distance.