As a photographer, one of the most important elements of this craft is lighting. And while artificial lighting can be powerful and creative, there is something special about natural light that can make your photographs truly magical. Natural light photography refers to the use of sunlight or any other naturally occurring light source to illuminate a subject.
The Advantages of Natural Light Photography
Natural light photography has several advantages over other lighting techniques. Firstly, I don’t need an additional equipment or lighting fixtures to use natural light, making it efficient for all types of sessions.
Secondly, natural light creates a soft and flattering effect on subjects, making it ideal for portraits and other types of photography where I want to showcase natural beauty.
Finally, natural light is always changing, which means I can capture unique moments and create different moods depending of the time of day, season, and weather.
Utilizing Natural Light
The key to natural light photography is finding the best lighting conditions. Soft, diffused light is ideal for portraits, while backlit situations can create a dramatic effect. I like to experiment with different types of light, such as sunrise, sunset, or the golden hours – which is the hour before sunset or after sunrise when the light is warm and soft.
Knowing where the light is coming from always helps create more depth and dimension in photographs. Front lighting, with the light behind me, creates a flat, even effect. Side lighting can create more texture and shadows. Back lighting, with the light behind the subject, can create a halo effect and add drama.
A Beautiful Style of Photography
Natural light photography is a beautiful and versatile technique that help me capture stunning moments in an authentic way. I adore combining different lighting scenarios in my sessions to create unique feelings and moods in different photographs. And, this way, really focus in on the natural beauty of the gorgeous clients I work with.
Are you ready to capture some candid moments of you and your family? Reach out! It’s spring and summer session time, and now is the time to book!
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Sam Highsmith Photography 
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