Photographers ask us constantly what our secret is for getting such clean, consistent, beautiful portraits every time we shoot.
If we had to answer in one word it would be this: light.
When we were getting started though, we’d make a big mistake. We’d arrive to the portrait location with our clients and when choosing the first spot to start the session, we’d choose a pretty background instead of choosing the prettiest light.
Now, instead of “location, location, location!” we’re all about “light, light, light!: It’s like John Lennon should’ve sang, “All you need is LIGHT!” We’d rather photograph a client in a dump with great light than in an epic location with bad light. That’s how we create consistent imagery that clients trust and value. And that’s why it’s so important to know how to find the right light.
On a portrait session, there are a million things to think about. Camera settings, posing, interacting with the clients, keeping track of time… it can get overwhelming fast.
That’s why it’s easier for us to think about choosing each spot based on the light. And we think of our light in terms of priorities. If we know what we’re looking for every time we go out to shoot, it allows us to feel comfortable and confident that we can deliver the same consistent product over and over again.
So, with that, here’s our formula for how to find the right light every where we shoot. It’s as easy as 1-2-3…
1. Soft, Even Light from Head-to-Toe
We like our subject’s entire body to be evenly exposed. No harsh light. No hot spots. No split lighting. We want one consistent exposure from head to toe (if you’re shooting from head to toe!).
2. Soft, Even Light in the Background
We want the background to enhance the shot. Not distract from it. So we need the light in the background to match the light on our subject. Often, this limits the amount of spots we can shoot during a session, but in our opinion, it’s better to rock lots of poses with varying composition in the same great light than to move from good light to bad light simply for the sake of variety in background.
When we first started, one of our biggest fears about this was that our clients would believe that we didn’t know what we were doing! Especially since most clients believe it’s the background that makes the image. So, the temptation for us, and maybe you, was just to find a spot and start shooting right away, and then keep moving from spot to spot. Now, we simply “educate” our clients by sharing our excitement with them when we find great light. When we get excited, they get excited, and it enhances their experience and their final photos.
Plus, once you get them in great light and get your exposure nailed, you’ve knocked out two of the hardest parts, so you can really focus on posing, composition and sharp focus. Get those elements right and you’ve got yourself a great shot.
3. Backlighting & Great Location (Our two favorite “bonus” items!)
If we can keep them with even light from head to toe, matching light in the background AND backlight them (where the back of their heads are rim lit) that’s our absolutely favorite combination of light! If we can find our two lighting priorities AND THEN a pretty background, then we’re in photographer heaven! But the most important thing to remember is a “pretty background” is only pretty if the light is right!
Want more resources like this?
Part 1: How to Find the Right Light
Part 2: Backlighting Basics
Part 3: Open Shade
Part 4: Window Lighting Essentials
Part 5: Natural Reflectors
Part 6: Artificial Reflectors
Part 7: White Balance
Or check out some of our favorite resources available to you in the store!