Introduction
There’s something magical about natural light that artificial lighting simply can’t replicate. As fine art photographers, we’ve built our entire approach around harnessing the beauty of natural light, and there’s a very good reason why. In this post, we’ll share why we’re passionate about natural light photography and how it creates those soft, romantic images that make our couples absolutely glow.
What Is Natural Light Photography?
Natural light photography uses the sun as the primary light source – whether that’s direct sunlight, light filtered through windows, or the soft glow of an overcast day. Rather than setting up artificial studio lights or flashes, we work with the light that’s already there, shaping and directing it to create beautiful images.
Why We Choose Natural Light
It’s Flattering for Everyone Natural light is incredibly forgiving. Unlike harsh artificial lighting that can create unflattering shadows or wash out skin tones, natural light wraps around faces beautifully. It minimizes imperfections while highlighting your best features. We’ve never met anyone who doesn’t look gorgeous in soft, natural light!
It Creates Emotion There’s something inherently romantic about natural light. Think about your favorite romantic movie scenes – they’re almost always lit naturally. Golden hour light filtering through trees, soft window light in the morning, the warm glow of sunset – these create an emotional response that artificial light simply can’t match.
It’s Timeless Trends in artificial lighting come and go, but natural light images never go out of style. When you look at your wedding photos in 20 years, they’ll still feel fresh and romantic, not dated by the lighting trends of 2024.
It Tells a Story Natural light changes throughout the day, and each type of light tells a different part of your story:
- Morning light: Fresh, hopeful, the beginning of your journey
- Midday light: Clear, bright, celebrating with clarity
- Golden hour: Romantic, warm, magical
- Blue hour: Dreamy, ethereal, otherworldly
Our Favorite Types of Natural Light
Golden Hour Magic The hour before sunset (and sometimes after sunrise) gives us that coveted golden, warm light. Skin glows, everything looks romantic, and the light is soft and directional. This is when we create those dreamy, film-like images that make people stop scrolling on Instagram.
Overcast Days Are Perfect Don’t worry if your wedding day is cloudy! Overcast skies act like a giant softbox, creating beautifully even, soft light. There are no harsh shadows, no squinting, and skin tones look incredible. Some of our most stunning images have been captured on cloudy days.
Window Light Portraits For getting ready photos, nothing beats a big window with beautiful light streaming through. We position our brides near windows for those gorgeous, soft portraits that look like they belong in a magazine.
Open Shade Under trees, covered areas, or in the shadow of buildings, we find beautiful, even light that’s perfect for portraits. It’s soft, flattering, and allows for intimate moments without harsh sun.
Tips for Brides: Working with Natural Light
Makeup Considerations Natural light photography means your makeup should look beautiful in person, not just under artificial lights. Here are our recommendations:
- Choose a Natural Finish: Skip heavy, cakey makeup. Natural light reveals everything, so aim for a fresh, natural look that enhances your features.
- Avoid Heavy Powder: Too much powder can look flat in natural light. A light dusting is perfect.
- Subtle Contouring: Heavy contouring looks obvious in natural light. Stick to subtle definition.
- Consider the Season: Summer weddings might need slightly more setting powder; winter weddings can handle dewier finishes.
Dress and Styling
- Fabrics Matter: Natural fabrics like silk, chiffon, and cotton photograph beautifully in natural light
- Color Choices: Soft, romantic colors work wonderfully, but bold colors can be stunning too
- Texture: Details like lace, beading, and texture show up beautifully in natural light
Timing Your Day for the Best Light
Ceremony Timing
- 2-4 PM ceremonies give us beautiful light for your couples’ photos afterward
- Morning ceremonies offer fresh, bright light but require earlier start times
- Evening ceremonies can be magical but limit golden hour photo opportunities
Photo Session Planning We always check sunset times and plan your couple’s session accordingly. Even 30 minutes can make a huge difference in the quality of light we’re working with.
Overcoming Natural Light Challenges
Harsh Midday Sun When we can’t avoid bright midday sun, we:
- Find open shade
- Use buildings or trees as natural diffusers
- Position you with the sun behind you for gorgeous rim lighting
- Embrace the bright, joyful feeling of midday light
Indoor Ceremonies Even in darker venues, we work with available window light and ambient lighting to create beautiful, natural-looking images without intrusive flash.
The Technical Side (For Photography Enthusiasts)
For those curious about the technical aspects:
- We shoot with wide apertures (f/1.4-f/2.8) to maximize available light
- Higher ISO capabilities of modern cameras let us maintain image quality even in lower light
- We use reflectors occasionally to bounce natural light back onto our subjects
- Careful positioning and timing are more important than equipment
Why This Matters for Your Wedding Photos
Authentic Moments Without bright flashes going off, people relax and act naturally. Children don’t get startled, grandparents don’t squint, and emotional moments aren’t interrupted by artificial lighting setups.
Consistent Style Your entire wedding gallery will have a cohesive, natural feel. From getting ready shots to dancing photos, everything flows together beautifully.
Print Quality Natural light images print beautifully. Whether you’re creating a wedding album or printing canvas pieces for your home, the natural light quality translates perfectly to print.
Final Thoughts
Natural light photography isn’t just a technique for us – it’s a philosophy. We believe your wedding photos should feel authentic, timeless, and beautiful. Natural light helps us capture not just how you looked on your wedding day, but how you felt.
Every couple glows in natural light, and every love story looks more beautiful when told through the soft, romantic medium of the sun’s own illumination. It’s one of the reasons we’re so passionate about what we do, and why we think you’ll absolutely love your natural light wedding photos.
When you look back at your images years from now, you’ll remember not just how beautiful you looked, but how magical that light made you feel. And that’s exactly what we want to capture for you.