Utilizing the Beauty of Natural Light in your Wedding Photos

During this blog we will be looking at Types of natural light and why you should be Utilizing the Beauty of Natural light in your Wedding Photos as well as things to remember when thinking or talking about your wedding photos.

So you've probably been to a wedding and noticed photographers using flashes on top of there camera, this is to help to add a little extra bit of light when taking portraits. Light is probably the most important part of photography! However where possible natural light is best as its so powerful and versatile tool for us photographers. Understanding how we use it on your special day can significantly enhance your photos.

Here’s the most common types of natural light ill use while capturing your wedding photos

1. Golden Hour

The golden hours, shortly after sunrise and before sunset, in most wedding it would be before sunset. Golden hour provides the most flattering light for photography. The soft, warm light during these times reduces harsh shadows and highlights, creating a beautiful, natural glow. Plan your shoots around these times to capture stunning images.

back lit golden hour couple shot

2. Direction of Light

As your photographer I will be Paying attention to the direction of light. Different directions of the light create different effect, such as A light source is behind you, illuminates you evenly. A Side lighting will add depth and texture to your photos. Finally Backlighting can create dramatic silhouettes and highlight the edges of your subject As shown in the photo above.

3. Overcast Days

Don’t be discouraged by overcast days. These days offer a diffused light from a cloudy sky which acts like a giant softbox, providing even lighting without harsh shadows. This is ideal for capturing details and textures in your photos without loosing out to harsh highlights

4. Use Natural Reflectors

Natural reflectors such as water, sand, or snow can bounce light onto your subject, adding brightness and reducing shadows. I will position you near these reflectors to take advantage of the additional light if I felt that they are required for adding light or even to use water as a reflection surface for a creative shot.

Reflection across the pond

5. Trying to Avoid Midday Sun

The reason most photographers will try to avoid midday sun is because direct light of midday can create unflattering shadows and harsh highlights. If we must shoot during this time, ill look for shaded areas or use natural elements like trees and rocks to diffuse the light. This can also create great opportunity for speckled lighting.

6. Silhouettes and Shadows

Experimenting with silhouettes and shadows can add drama and interest to your photos, By position you against a bright background and expose for the background to create striking silhouettes. Using shadows creatively we can add depth, dimension even give a element of drama to your images.

silhouette make up shot

So when it comes to looking around a venue there's a few things to remember, when looking at location for your wedding photos, its always helpful to keep these in mind when it comes to the natural light.

• time of year

• Is there option to use any of the natural light option

• is there possibility of using a shade area if needed

• can we light you from behind to help create silhouettes

• time of sunset so golden hour can be planned

• is there water nearby for reflections

  
  

when booking with N.J.B.T.Photography i always arrange a meeting face to face with my clients usually at there venue about 1 month prior to their day, this is for multiple reason one being to plan locations for photos. By holding the meeting this close to the date it will offer the couple and myself a glimpse into the possibilities of the light and which types of light I might be able to utilize on the day to create those special keep sakes of your wonderful day.

Working with some of the natural light scenario listed above another thing you have to consider if the coverage time you have booked the photographer for as some can only be achieved at set time of the day. if your after the lovely golden hour sunset shots then you need to make sure you've booked a package with enough coverage time, usually a half day or full day will give you the best chance of being able to capture those portraits, however this is England and our weather isn't always predictable and can often do the opposite to what we want. I always discuss further with my clients or recommend coming up with a back up idea should this happen.

Considering N.J.B.T.PHOTOGRAPHY to capture your special day? want more information then please feel free to submit a form on my contact page to arrange a free no obligation phone call.

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