As a natural light wedding and newborn lifestyle photographer, I run into all kinds of lighting situations.
Most commonly, I run into poor lighting in my client’s homes or in the space where one of my brides is getting ready. Some photographers use off-camera flash to combat this. Though I do utilize off-camera flash during wedding receptions, I don’t use it with any of my lifestyle sessions or any other part of the wedding day.
My goal is always to shoot as naturally and authentically as I possibly can, which as I’m sure you can imagine can be a little tricky. Nothing we can’t handle with a little preparation!
Whether you’re shooting in a home with smaller windows or your session is taking place on a horribly overcast day, here are some tips to help you rock that tough lighting situation.
1. Do your research.
Be familiar with where you will be shooting. If it’s for an event, contact the venue and see if you can do a walk through beforehand. If it’s someone’s home or somewhere you aren’t able to visit ahead of time, use the internet! Different areas of towns have different types of homes. One area might have newer developments with much larger windows, while others might be in an older or historic area where natural light might not be as prominent. Researching your location can help you choose which lenses to bring and help you strategize a game plan.
2. Ask for a tour.
The first thing I do when I arrive for a session is ask my client if I can walk around and get an idea of what rooms have the best light. You’ll be surprised with some of the odd places you can find good light. I’ve shot in kitchens, mud rooms, and doorways – with good light and a little cropping, you can really shoot anywhere.
3. Don’t be afraid to move some things around.
The very first thing I do is ask my clients if I can open the blinds or curtains, and I mean any we can find! It may sound obvious, but a lot of homes I go to for newborn sessions have most of their blinds closed due to their off-hours sleep schedule. Also, sometimes there is a really awesome corner with gorgeous light, but the super cool couch or chair isn’t in that spot – ask if you can move some things around. Find the light and see what you can work out in that space. As long as you are respectful and help move it back, I promise you they would rather have that amazing photo and move the chair back later.
4. Bring your subject into the light.
Sometimes you will struggle with light even after moving furniture or opening all the blinds. It’s time to move your subject closer to the window. Bring them near the window and stand in front of them making sure you do not block any of the available light. I once set up a cake smash right in front of a client’s front door. It was the largest amount of natural light at that level and it totally worked.
5. Work the shadows.
One of my favorite parts of working with difficult light is working the shadows. Embrace them – they’re beautiful! Not only are they beautiful, but they also add a little drama to your work. Silhouettes or having the light just hitting your main subject are some of my favorite shooting tricks.
6. Have fun.
If something isn’t working, don’t stress. Take a deep breath and be honest with your client. Tell them it isn’t working and move on! Use your experience and creativity. If you have the right clients for you, they will totally appreciate your candor!
